From biopics and romantic dramas to big-budget action spectacles, she has steadily expanded her range while remaining a recognisable face in popular culture. Here’s a film-by-film look at Disha Patani’s journey so far.
Release date: December 17, 2015
Disha Patani made her acting debut with the Telugu film Loafer. It was directed by Puri Jagannadh and starred Varun Tej in a leading role. She played Mounika, a young woman whose life intersects with a rebellious protagonist shaped by abandonment and street survival.
While Loafer did not perform strongly at the box office, it introduced Disha as a fresh face in the industry. Her performance was noticed for its confidence and screen presence, especially for a debutant. The film also laid the foundation for her transition into Hindi cinema.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
Release date: September 30, 2016
Disha Patani’s breakthrough came with Neeraj Pandey’s biographical sports drama M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. She played Priyanka Jha, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s first love, opposite Sushant Singh Rajput. Though her screen time was limited, her role left a lasting emotional impact. Disha brought warmth and vulnerability to the character and made Priyanka’s arc one of the film’s most affecting elements.
Kung Fu Yoga (2017)
Release date: February 3, 2017
In Kung Fu Yoga, Disha Patani stepped into international territory alongside Jackie Chan. The movie is directed by Stanley Tong. This action-adventure film has archaeology, martial arts and global locations. Disha played Ashmita, a museum curator and showcased her fitness and action potential. While the film was largely driven by Jackie Chan’s star power, it helped position Disha as an actor suited for physically demanding roles.
Baaghi 2 (2018)
Release date: March 30, 2018
Baaghi 2 marked a major commercial high point for Disha Patani. She starred opposite Tiger Shroff. The movie was directed by Ahmed Khan and revolved around a brutal investigation and rescue mission. Disha played Neha Rawat Salgaonkar, whose emotional conflict drives the film’s narrative. The movie was a box office blockbuster and firmly placed Disha in the action-film space. Her pairing with Tiger Shroff became a talking point and her fitness-focused image gained wider recognition.
Bharat (2019)
Release date: June 5, 2019
In Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharat, Disha Patani appeared in a special role opposite Salman Khan. The movie is set across decades of Indian history and featured her as a circus performer. Though her role was brief, it was visually striking and widely discussed. Disha’s performance leaned more on physical grace and screen presence than dialogue.
Baaghi 3 (2020)
Release date: March 6, 2020
Disha reunited with Tiger Shroff for Baaghi 3. It was another high-octane action film directed by Ahmed Khan. The film focused on brotherhood and large-scale action set pieces. Disha played Rani. She brought emotional grounding to the otherwise action-heavy narrative. While the film received mixed critical response, it performed well commercially. Disha’s consistent presence in franchise cinema reinforced her status as a mainstream action heroine.
Radhe (2021)
Release date: May 13, 2021
Radhe, starring Salman Khan and directed by Prabhu Deva, was released on multiple platforms during the pandemic. Disha Patani played Diya Abhyankar, a model and the film’s female lead. The film faced widespread criticism, but Disha’s role maintained her visibility. Her collaboration with Salman Khan continued her association with large-scale masala entertainers.
Ek Villain Returns (2022)
Release date: July 29, 2022
Ek Villain Returns was directed by Mohit Suri. Disha Patani took on a darker and more layered character. She starred alongside John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor and Tara Sutaria. She played Rasika Mapuskar and explored themes of obsession, rejection and moral ambiguity. The role allowed her to move away from purely glamorous parts and into a more psychologically driven narrative. The film showcased a different side of her screen persona, even as it remained within the thriller genre.
Yodha (2024)
Release date: March 15, 2024
Yodha marked Disha Patani’s entry into an aerial action thriller space. The movie is directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha. It starred Sidharth Malhotra in the lead. Disha played Laila Khalid, a character connected to an in-flight hijacking crisis. The film leaned heavily into action, suspense and national security themes. Her role added emotional tension and narrative complexity to the storyline. It also channelled her towards intense and plot-driven films.
Kalki 2898 AD (2024)
Release date: June 27, 2024
Disha Patani appeared in a significant role that connected modern mythology with futuristic storytelling. The film expanded her presence into large-scale speculative cinema and positioned her within a pan-Indian and globally oriented project. Kalki 2898 AD marked a shift toward experimental storytelling within mainstream cinema.
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