Dhurandhar Character Guide: Who plays what in Aditya Dhar's espionage thriller

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, is all set to hit cinemas on December 5, 2025. The film features an ensemble cast. Let's take a look at who plays what in this espionage thriller.

Dhurandhar 

Dhurandhar is one of the most-awaited films of 2025 that has been garnering a lot of attention ever since it was announced. The trailer and posters created so much hype, fans cannot wait for the film to be released. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the espionage thriller film features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and others. Ahead of its December 5 release, here's a quick look at who plays what in Dhurandhar.

Dhurandhar Cast Guide

Ranveer Singh

In Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh plays the main character, reportedly believed to be based on Major Mohit Sharma, the Ashok Chakra awardee. His character is introduced as The Wrath of God. Singh's role is central to a high-risk intelligence mission that mixes action with patriotism.

Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay Dutt reportedly portrays SP Chaudhary Aslam. He is a tough, gun-toting police officer with a rugged appearance, a character based on a real-life Pakistani "encounter specialist". He is also introduced by the codename The Jinn.

Also Read: Dhurandhar: Release date, OTT platform, two-part theory, runtime, cast, plot, and more about the espionage thriller

R. Madhavan

In Dhurandhar, R. Madhavan plays a top intelligence officer, who is widely believed to be inspired by India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. His role is likely to feature significant physical transformations, serious demeanour, and a central character in the film's high-stakes, action-packed plot. He is introduced as The Charioteer of Karma.

Akshaye Khanna

In Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna plays the main villain a menacing crime lord known as Rehman Dakait, titled The Apex Predator. This role is inspired by the real-life criminal Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, the infamous head of a Karachi-based crime syndicate. Khanna's character is set to be a formidable adversary to Ranveer Singh's character as a 'RAW' agent.

Arjun Rampal

Arjun Rampal portrays the role of Major Iqbal, a cold and ruthless ISI official (Pakistan's intelligence agency). His character is being promoted as the Angel of Death and is reportedly inspired by real-life terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri.

Sara Arjun

Sara Arjun plays the female lead opposite Ranveer Singh. The character has sparked public discussion due to the age difference, but the trailer shows that audiences are also looking forward to her performance.

Major Mohit Sharma's family filed a case

It is believed that Ranveer's character is based on Major Mohit Sharma, the Ashoka Chakra awardee who went undercover as Iftikhar Bhatt to infiltrate Hizbul Mujahideen in the early 2000s.

Meanwhile, Major Mohit Sharma's family filed a petition and went to Delhi HC to stop the release of Dhurandhar. “The legacy of a decorated martyr cannot be commercially exploited, fictionalised, distorted, or portrayed without the informed consent of his immediate family, nor without adherence to the constitutional and legal obligations relating to dignity, privacy, and reputation—rights which continue to subsist even after the death of the individual,” the petition said.

They argued that if the movie were released without clearance, consultation or supervision, it could expose the adversary to stories that could trigger propaganda, retaliation or targeted threats. “Any misrepresentation or sensationalisation of his operations in the film Dhurandhar may elevate the threat perception against the Petitioners, who presently remain unprotected and live in a civilian residential neighbourhood,” the petition added.

However, director Aditya Dhar denied the claims and as he responded to a user on X who tagged him and questioned whether the film is based on Major Mohit Sharma’s life.

“Hi, sir — our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification. I assure you, if we do make a biopic on Mohit sir in the future, we will do it with full consent and in complete consultation with the family, and in a way that truly honors his sacrifice for the nation and the legacy it has left for all of us," he wrote.

More about Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar is an Indian spy action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar, starring Ranveer Singh as an intelligence agent infiltrating a terror network in Pakistan's Lyari region. The plot is inspired by a real-life covert operation conducted by India's intelligence agencies.

Catch Dhurandhar in cinemas on December 5, 2025!

FAQs:

Q: When is the Dhurandhar OTT release date?

A: The tentative OTT streaming release date for Dhurandhar on Netflix is January 30, 2026, as per the rule of an 8-week window after the theatrical run.

Q: Which streaming platform will Dhurandhar stream on?

A: Dhurandhar will stream exclusively on Netflix following its theatrical run, as the streaming giant has acquired the film's digital rights.

Q: Who is the director of Dhurandhar?

A: The film Dhurandhar is written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar, who is known for his work on the film Uri: The Surgical Strike.

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