Mihir Ahuja on Ujjain film: 'Never played a character like this'
Synopsis
Mihir Ahuja is learning the Ujjaini and Malwai dialect from scratch for his first-ever small-town character, in a yet-untitled light-hearted dramedy directed by Aditya Chandioke. The project — which also stars Prasanna Bisht — aims to bring the cultural warmth of Ujjain to screen, in the vein of films like Bareilly Ki Barfi.
Key Takeaways
Mihir Ahuja will play a character from Ujjain for the first time in his career in director Aditya Chandioke's yet-untitled film.
The film also stars Prasanna Bisht , known for her role in Chiraiya .
Ahuja has been studying the Ujjaini and Malwai dialect and local culture as part of his preparation.
The team conducted workshops before principal shooting began, under Chandioke's direction.
Ahuja is also part of Netflix's Operation Safed Sagar , a war drama about the IAF's 1999 Kargil War mission.
Actor Mihir Ahuja is set to play a character from Ujjain for the first time in his career, in director Aditya Chandioke's yet-untitled light-hearted dramedy that also stars Prasanna Bisht, known for her role in Chiraiya. The announcement comes as Ahuja continues to build a varied filmography following his appearances in The Archies, Maa Ka Sum, and Vijay 69.
What Makes This Project Different
The untitled film is designed to capture the innocence, humour, and cultural texture of small-town India through grounded characters and heartfelt storytelling. Ahuja described the project as unlike anything he has taken on before. 'This film feels extremely special to me because I genuinely feel like I'm stepping into a world I've never explored before as an actor,' he said.
Ahuja's Preparation for the Ujjaini Role
The actor has been investing significant time in understanding the Ujjaini and Malwai dialect, local culture, and the subtle ways people communicate in the region. 'I've never played a character from Ujjain, and that comes with its own rhythm, innocence, body language, and way of speaking. I wanted to approach it with complete honesty... It's both challenging and exciting at the same time,' Ahuja said. He drew a parallel to films like Bareilly Ki Barfi, which he said stayed with audiences because they were entertaining, emotional, and rooted in authentic characters. 'There's a certain warmth and humour in this story that instantly connected with me,' he added.
Working With Director Aditya Chandioke
Ahuja spoke warmly about his collaboration with Chandioke, noting that the team conducted workshops before principal shooting began. 'He has a very clear and sensitive vision as a director. He understands characterisation and storytelling beautifully and creates a very comfortable environment for actors to experiment and perform honestly,' Ahuja said. The workshop-first approach signals a production environment that prioritises character depth over speed — a relatively uncommon practice in mainstream Hindi film production.
Mihir Ahuja's Upcoming Projects
Beyond the Chandioke film, Ahuja is also part of Netflix's upcoming war drama series Operation Safed Sagar, which chronicles the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 47-day mission during the 1999 Kargil War. The series features an ensemble cast including Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, and Taaruk Raina. With two high-profile projects in the pipeline, Ahuja appears to be at a pivotal stage in his career trajectory.
Point of View
But the framing — evoking Bareilly Ki Barfi as a tonal reference — is a deliberate play for the audience that made that film a cult hit. The real question is whether small-town dramedy has enough streaming appetite left after a crowded few years, or whether this arrives at saturation point.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mihir Ahuja's new film with Aditya Chandioke about?
It is a yet-untitled light-hearted dramedy set in small-town India, with Ahuja playing a character from Ujjain. The film aims to capture the innocence, humour, and cultural flavour of the region through relatable characters.
Who else stars in Aditya Chandioke's untitled film?
The film also stars Prasanna Bisht, known for her role in Chiraiya. Further cast details have not been announced.
How is Mihir Ahuja preparing for the Ujjain role?
Ahuja has been studying the Ujjaini and Malwai dialect, local culture, and the nuances of how people communicate in Ujjain. The team also conducted workshops before shooting began.
What is Operation Safed Sagar?
Operation Safed Sagar is an upcoming Netflix Indian war drama series chronicling the Indian Air Force's 47-day mission during the 1999 Kargil War. The ensemble cast includes Mihir Ahuja, Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, and Taaruk Raina.
What other films is Mihir Ahuja known for?
Mihir Ahuja is known for his work in The Archies, Maa Ka Sum, and Vijay 69, across OTT and theatrical releases.
