Introduction – Who is Neeraj Pandey?

Neeraj Pandey is one of India’s most brilliant thriller and espionage filmmakers, known for creating sharp, intelligent, and realistic films such as A Wednesday, Special 26, Baby, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, and hit web series like Special Ops.
He is admired for his gripping narratives, fast-paced screenplays, and mastery of real-event–inspired stories.

This Neeraj Pandey Biography covers his age, early life, film journey, OTT work, filmmaking style, awards, controversies, and net worth.

Neeraj Pandey Age, Height & Basic Information

• Full Name: Neeraj Pandey

• Born: 17 December 1973

• Birthplace: Howrah, West Bengal, India

• Neeraj Pandey Age: 51 Years (as of 2025)

• Height: 5 ft 10 in

• Nationality: Indian

• Profession: Director, Producer, Screenwriter

• Years Active: 2008–Present

• Known For: A Wednesday, Special 26, Baby, Special Ops

Neeraj Pandey Family Background

Parents & Childhood

• Born in a middle-class family

• Spent early years in Kolkata

• Later moved to Delhi for education

• Father worked in a government job

Marital Status

• Neeraj Pandey is married to Shital Bhatia, his long-term collaborator and co-producer.

Together, they run their production house: Friday Filmworks.

Neeraj Pandey Education

• Completed schooling in Kolkata

• Graduated from St. Thomas’ College of Commerce, Delhi

• Passion for writing & documentary-style storytelling began early

• Worked in companies like Zee TV before entering films

Keyword Cluster: Neeraj Pandey education, early life, career beginnings

Early Career – Documentaries & TV Writing

Before entering Bollywood, Neeraj Pandey worked in:

• Documentary production

• Scriptwriting for television

• Corporate films

• Ad films

This sharpened his research-driven approach to storytelling.

Directorial Debut – A Wednesday (2008)

Starring Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, the film became a cult thriller.

Why A Wednesday Became a Landmark

• Tight screenplay

• Zero-nonsense storytelling

• Social justice theme

• Massive word-of-mouth

• National Award recognition

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Special 26 (2013)

Starring Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee.

Highlights

• Based on real-life 1987 CBI heist

• Critically acclaimed

• Strong character-driven plot

• Classic Neeraj Pandey thrill style

Baby (2015) – Espionage Thriller Masterpiece

Starring Akshay Kumar.

Why Baby Was a Hit

• Realistic spy operations

• Patriotic undertone

• Loved by action-thriller fans

• Spawned spin-offs like Naam Shabana

Keyword Cluster: Neeraj Pandey Baby director

MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

A biographical smash hit starring Sushant Singh Rajput.

Highlights

• India’s most successful biopic at the time

• Emotional storytelling

• Brilliant performances

• Massive youth fanbase reach

• Strengthened Pandey’s versatility

Special Ops (2020–2024) – OTT Franchise Success

Neeraj Pandey created one of India’s top spy-universe series on Hotstar.

Why Special Ops Became Popular

• Himmat Singh character (Kay Kay Menon)

• Real-events inspiration

• High production value

• Franchise expansion (Special Ops 1.5)

Keyword Cluster: Neeraj Pandey web series, Special Ops director

Other Films & Work

• Naam Shabana (2017)

• Aiyaary (2018)

• Operation Romeo (2022) (Producer)

• Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022) (Creator; major OTT hit)

Neeraj Pandey consistently delivers realistic & intense content.

Neeraj Pandey Filmmaking Style

He is known for:

• Real-event–inspired stories

• Thriller & espionage themes

• Intelligent screenplay

• High research accuracy

• Clean editing

• Strong character arcs

His films appeal strongly to urban audiences.

Awards & Achievements

• National Film Award

• Filmfare Awards

• IIFA Awards

• OTT Digital Awards

• Recognized as India’s top thriller director

Neeraj Pandey Upcoming Movies & Web Series (2025–2028)

1. Special Ops 3

2. Nation-based espionage feature film

3. Political thriller series for Hotstar

4. Biographical drama based on a real Indian hero

5. Akshay Kumar collaboration (discussions ongoing)

Every new announcement from Neeraj Pandey gets trending attention due to his loyal fanbase.

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Neeraj Pandey Net Worth

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Estimated Net Worth (2025)

₹200–250 Crore (approx.)

Income Sources

• Film direction

• Screenwriting

• OTT web series

• Production house (Friday Filmworks)

• International digital rights

Neeraj Pandey Biography – Summary Table

FAQs – Neeraj Pandey Biography

1. Who is Neeraj Pandey?

A leading Indian filmmaker known for thrillers, espionage films, and OTT web series.

2. What is Neeraj Pandey’s age in 2025?

51 years.

3. Which are Neeraj Pandey’s best movies?

A Wednesday, Special 26, Baby, MS Dhoni.

4. Is Neeraj Pandey making Special Ops 3?

Yes, it is confirmed.

5. What is Neeraj Pandey’s net worth?

₹200–250 crore approx.

Conclusion

Neeraj Pandey is one of India’s finest thriller filmmakers who has shaped modern Bollywood and OTT storytelling. With masterpieces like A Wednesday, Special 26, Baby, and the Special Ops universe, he continues to dominate the thriller genre. His upcoming projects ensure he remains one of the most searched directors in India.

Disclaimer

This biography is compiled from publicly available information, media interviews, news sources, and online databases. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, facts such as age, net worth, upcoming projects, and personal details may vary over time. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not claim to provide official or authenticated data about the individual.