Production of Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge

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Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge are Indian Hindi-language spy action thriller film duology written and directed by Aditya Dhar. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar under Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the films feature an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan, alongside several supporting actors.

Contents

Principal photography for both parts took place back-to-back from July 2024 to October 2025 across multiple locations in India and abroad, including the states and union territories of Punjab, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, as well as Thailand.

Dhurandhar was theatrically released on 5 December 2025 and Dhurandhar: The Revenge is scheduled for release on 19 March 2026.

Development

The film was officially announced in July 2024 by Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar on their social media accounts. [1] The title was revealed as Dhurandhar in December 2024. [2] The film is reportedly inspired by real-life incidents, geopolitical conflicts, and the covert operations of RAW. [3] The plot is loosely based on events revolving around Operation Lyari, a Pakistan government-led crackdown against local gangs and crime syndicates in the Lyari area of Karachi, Pakistan. [4] [3]

Aditya Raj Kaul, the senior executive editor at NDTV for geopolitics, national security and strategic affairs, served as the film's research consultant. He became a part of the film after having made a documentary on the 2022 assassination of Zahoor Mistry, one of the hijackers of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999, and became officially involved with the project after discussions about the assassination with director Aditya Dhar, a long-term friend of his. [5]

Initially planned as a single film, the makers later decided to make the film a two-part release. [6] Both the parts were shot together concurrently as a single project. [7] The original plan was to release one long film, but the large amount of footage and story complexity led the makers to split it into two parts during post-production process. [8] [9]

Casting

Mukesh Chhabra was the casting director for the film. [10] In July 2024, Singh was cast as the lead, alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. [11] [12] In October 2024, Sara Arjun was cast opposite Singh. [13] Singh plays the role of a RAW agent, while Madhavan was reported to be playing National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. [14] [15] Dutt's character is based on Pakistani police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, Khanna's character is based on gangster Rehman Dakait, while Rampal's character is based on Pakistani soldier-turned-terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri. [16] Singh reportedly received a remuneration of ₹30–50 crore, while Madhavan was paid ₹9 crore. Both Khanna and Dutt received ₹2.5 crore, while Rampal and Arjun were paid ₹1 crore each. [17] [18] In November 2025, Saumya Tandon confirmed she would be playing a pivotal role in the film. [19] Television actors Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik were cast in significant roles. [20] [21] Several actors auditioned for the roles of Donga and Mohammed Aalam, played by Kaushik and Gera. Sunil Grover was considered for the role of Aalam before Gera was cast. [22]

Singh's character was rumoured to be based on Major Mohit Sharma, an Indian army officer who infiltrated terrorist groups in Kashmir, however this claim was denied by Aditya Dhar. [23] [24] Ahead of the film's release, the family of late Indian soldier Major Mohit Sharma filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the release, accusing the makers of allegedly drawing inspiration from Sharma's life and covert operations without seeking the family's consent. [25] [26] The Delhi High Court directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to consider these objections, following which the Board undertook a fresh examination of the film and found no link to Major Mohit Sharma. [27]

Similarly, Chaudhary Aslam's widow Naureen Aslam also objected to his character's portrayal in the film, threatening to take legal action if her husband was falsely portrayed. [28] The Makrani Baloch community of Junagadh in Gujarat state also protested and threatened legal action against the filmmakers for the anti-Baloch lines spoken by Chaudhry Aslam's character in the film. [29] [30] Pakistan People's Party (PPP) politcians Sharjeel Memon (Sindh Information Minister), Murtaza Wahab (Mayor of Karachi) and Sumeta Afzal Syed (PPP spokesperson) criticised the portrayal of their party in the film with Syed describing the use of images featuring former Pakistani prime minister and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto as "unlawful". Another PPP politician Nabil Gabol criticised his portrayal by Rakesh Bedi in the film. [31] [32] [33] [34] [35]

Filming

Both parts were shot back-to-back as a single integrated film. [36] Principal photography began in July 2024 in Bangkok. [37] [38] The second schedule commenced in November 2024 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. [39] In February 2025, filming took place at Filmistan in Mumbai. [40] A schedule took place in Madh Island which was wrapped by late April 2025. [41] In May 2025, some action sequences were filmed at the Dombvili-Mankoli bridge. [42] In July 2025, a dance number was shot at the Golden Tobacco Factory in Vile Parle. [43] Several scenes set in Pakistan were re-created in Thailand. [44] Additional filming also took place at Khera village in Ludhiana, where the production recreated Pakistan-set sequences. [45] [46] In August 2025, filming moved to Ladakh, however it was halted after more than one hundred crew members were hospitalised due to food poisoning. [47] In September 2025, some scenes were shot at The Lawrence School in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. [48] Singh wrapped his portions in October 2025. [49] Filming was also simultaneously wrapped in the same month. [50]

After the success of first part, it was widely reported that Khanna would return on the sets for a short one-week shoot of the additional scenes. [51] Later these reports turned false as no additional shoot took place. [52] In January 2026, it was reported that a three day patch-work shoot was held in Golden Tobacco Factory where the character arc of Arjun Rampal was shot. [53] [54] However, this rumour also turned false. [55] Contrary to these reports, Dutt and Rampal were spotted shooting sequences in Ballard Estate, Mumbai. [56]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ranveer Singh to play RAW agent in Aditya Dhar's next, Sanjay Dutt to be antagonist: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 28 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ↑ "Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar's upcoming action thriller title revealed: details inside". Times of India. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Aditya Dhar's untitled film starring Ranveer Singh sparks speculation about being inspired by real-world events". Bollywood Hungama. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar brings to focus Lyari's past of political-crime nexus". India Today . 28 November 2025. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Dhurandhar Story: How a tip-off about Kandahar hijacker became a Ranveer Singh blockbuster". NDTV. 9 December 2025. Archived from the original on 5 January 2026. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "INSIDE SCOOP: The REAL REASON why Aditya Dhar is releasing Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar in two parts". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "'Dhurandhar': Here's the REAL REASON why Aditya Dhar split Ranveer Singh's film into two parts". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Why Is Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar Releasing In 2 Parts? Here's Why Aditya Dhar Took This Decision". News18. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Rakesh Bedi confirms Dhurandhar Part 2 is ready: 'It will release in a month or two'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Preity Zinta gives shout-out to Mukesh Chhabra for Dhurandhar casting". India Today. 17 December 2025. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal to join Ranveer Singh in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar? Here's what we know". Bollywood Hungama . 8 July 2024. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  12. ↑ "Akshaye Khanna joins Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar". Bollywood Hungama. 8 July 2024. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Ranveer Singh-Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar gets Ponniyin Selvan actress Sara Arjun as female lead? Here's what we know". Bollywood Hungama . 5 October 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Revealed: Not Ranveer Singh but R Madhavan to play Ajit Doval in Aditya Dhar's next". Bollywood Hungama. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "R Madhavan's striking similarity to Ajit Doval is hard to miss in 'Dhurandhar' teaser apart from Ranveer Singh's fiery look; netizens react". Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  16. ↑ "Dhurandhar True Story Vs Reel Characters: Who Plays Whom In Ranveer Singh Film". NDTV . 19 November 2025. Archived from the original on 21 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  17. ↑ "₹50 Crore for Ranveer? The Dhurandhar Salary List That Has Bollywood Stunned". Business Today. 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  18. ↑ Mehra, Pallavi (10 December 2025). "Dhurandhar cast salary: Ranveer Singh's Rs 50 crore fee goes viral as film becomes a 2025 mega blockbuster". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Exclusive: Jab We Met actress Saumya Tandon on returning to the big screen with Dhurandhar". The Times of India. 24 November 2025. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  20. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (23 December 2025). "How did Mukesh Chhabra get the perfect cast for Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna?". Gulf News . Archived from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "Saumya Tandon to Rakesh Bedi: Television stars who stole the show in 'Dhurandhar'". The Times of India . 17 December 2025. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 4 January 2026. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  22. ↑ "Dhurandhar: Mukesh Chhabra Reveals It Took 1.5 Years To Finalise Cast; Sunil Grover Was Considered For Aalam". News18. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' is NOT based on Major Mohit Sharma, confirms director Aditya Dhar: 'This is an official clarification'". The Times of India. 26 November 2025. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  24. ↑ "Dhurandhar not based on Mohit Sharma's life, says Aditya Dhar: The soldier who shot terrorists point-blank with their own weapon". The Indian Express . 28 November 2025. Archived from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  25. ↑ "Dhurandhar lands in legal trouble: Family of late Major Mohit Sharma moves Delhi High Court; seeks stay on Ranveer Singh starrer". Bollywood Hungama. 28 November 2025. Archived from the original on 28 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  26. ↑ "'Exploited life of martyred son': 'Dhurandhar' movie in legal crosshairs; Major Mohit Sharma's parents move Delhi HC". Times of India. 28 November 2025. Archived from the original on 28 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  27. ↑ "Dhurandhar has no link to Major Mohit Sharma, CBFC re-examination concludes; big relief for Ranveer Singh film". Hindustan Times . 2 December 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Dhurandhar: Widow of Karachi cop objects to his portrayal in trailer of Ranveer Singh-starrer, threatens legal action". Hindustan Times . 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  29. ↑ "Protest erupts in Junagadh over controversial Dhurandhar film dialogue: Baloch Makrani community seeks ban, submits memorandum, warns of High Court move if no action". Bhaskar English . 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 28 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  30. ↑ "'Dhurandhar' is out, and the familiar India-Pakistan arguments are back online". The Express Tribune. 11 December 2025. Archived from the original on 11 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  31. ↑ "Dhurandhar is conspiracy against PPP: Murtaza Wahab". Daily Times. 14 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 January 2026. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  32. ↑ "Sharjeel Memon slams Dhurandhar over negative portrayal of Lyari". Geo News. Archived from the original on 28 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  33. ↑ Mateen, Zoya; Moshiri, Azadeh (12 December 2025). "Dhurandhar: New Bollywood film divides opinions in India and Pakistan". BBC . Archived from the original on 13 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "Pak politician unhappy with his portrayal in Dhurandhar, calls film inaccurate: 'Inka agent Lyari se zinda nahi jata'". Hindustan Times. 20 December 2025.
  35. ↑ Real Life Character of Bollywood Movie DHURANDHAR: Nabeel Gabol Exclusive Interview Woke by Capital Archived 6 January 2026 at the Wayback Machine , Woke Capital, 22 December 2025.
  36. ↑ "Why Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar Part 2' will rewrite the rules for Bollywood franchises next year". Firstpost. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  37. ↑ "Ranveer Singh to kick off Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar on July 25; screenplay inspired by true events from R&AW: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 22 July 2024. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  38. ↑ "Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar's high-stakes espionage thriller Dhurandhar goes on floor; Jio Studios on board to bankroll the film: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  39. ↑ "Pics: Ranveer Singh, Aditya Dhar at Golden Temple before shooting their spy film". India Today. 24 November 2024. Archived from the original on 24 November 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  40. ↑ "Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna spotted shooting for Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' – Exclusive Pics". Times of India. 11 February 2025. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  41. ↑ "Team of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar wraps Madh Island schedule, to head to Amritsar". India Today. 24 April 2025. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  42. ↑ "'धुरंधर' सिनेमाचं डोंबिवलीत होतंय शूट, माणकोली पूलावरुन संजय दत्तचा व्हिडिओ व्हायरल" [The Movie Dhurandhar Is Being Shot In Dombivli, Sanjay Dutt's Video From Mankoli Bridge Goes Viral]. Lokmat (in Marathi). 24 May 2025. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  43. ↑ "Ranveer Singh shoots high-energy dance number for Dhurandhar: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 4 July 2025. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  44. ↑ "Exclusive: Pakistan recreated in Thailand for Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar". Bollywood Hungama. 7 July 2025. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  45. ↑ Chhina, Gurpreet (15 July 2025). "Ludhiana's Khera Village Becomes Pakistan In Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, Locals React". NDTV . Archived from the original on 13 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  46. ↑ Nyayapati, Neeshita (17 July 2025). "Video of Ranveer Singh shooting for Dhurandhar in Ludhiana leaks online; Internet confused by Pakistan flag in scene". Hindustan Times . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  47. ↑ "120 crew members of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar hospitalised after suffering from food poisoning in Ladakh". The Indian Express. 19 August 2025. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  48. ↑ "Ranveer Singh delights students of Sanawar school". The Times of India. 30 September 2025. Archived from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  49. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Ranveer Singh wraps up Dhurandhar shoot; 2 days of work left for Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt". Bollywood Hungama . 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 12 October 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  50. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Ranveer Singh wraps up shooting for Dhurandhar, film wrap with Akshaye Khanna on October 12". Pinkvilla. 8 October 2025. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  51. ↑ "Akshaye Khanna to return as Rehman Dakait in Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2: Reports". India Today. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  52. ↑ "FACT-CHECK: Contrary to 'one-week schedule' reports, Akshaye Khanna WON'T shoot for Dhurandhar 2". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  53. ↑ "Aditya Dhar kicks off three-day schedule to film Arjun Rampal's character arc in Dhurandhar 2". Mid-Day . Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  54. ↑ "Adtiya Dhar completes Arju Rampal's character arc as Major Iqbal for Dhruandhar 2". Times of India. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  55. ↑ "No additional shooting with Arjun Rampal for Dhurandhar 2". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  56. ↑ "'Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge': Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal SPOTTED filming in Mumbai ahead of sequel release". Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
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