Nitin Dhongade

Nitin Dhongade doesn’t exactly blend into the background of the Indian entertainment scene. He’s got this knack for picking projects that stick with you long after the credits roll. Take “Agni” (2024) for example—it’s not your average, run-of-the-mill drama. The story smacks you with gritty realism, digging into the chaos of lives upended by fire, both literal and emotional. Dhongade’s approach here isn’t about turning up the melodrama; he keeps it raw. You can practically feel the heat and tension simmering under the surface. Then there’s “Project 9191” (2021). Now, if you’re into crime thrillers that don’t spoon-feed you every detail, this one’s up your alley. The series dives headfirst into the mess of policing in a tech-driven world. Dhongade’s character brings this edge—a sort of world-weariness wrapped in sharp instincts. It’s not the glossy, hero-cop stereotype, but something more grounded, more believable. The tension piles up with every episode, making you second-guess who’s really pulling the strings. “Mumbai Diaries 26/11” (2021) sits in a league of its own. Set against the chaos of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the show peels back the layers on what it meant to be inside those hospital walls when everything outside was falling apart. Dhongade, even in a supporting role, manages to leave a mark. The fear, the exhaustion, the stubborn hope—all of it comes through. Basically, if you’re after stories that don’t shy away from the messiness of real life, Dhongade’s filmography is worth a closer look.