Dhurandhar: Revenge – Real identity behind Yami Gautam's viral cameo; how it connects directly to Haq

Yami Gautam's cameo in the ₹800 crore hit Dhurandhar 2 links her Haq lead, Shazia Bano, to a new "Aditya Dhar Universe", reimagining the social drama character as an elite Indian spy asset.

Yami Gautam/Instagram; Ranveer Singh in a still from Dhurandhar: The Revenge

A particular aspect of Yami Gautam Dhar's cameo has generated considerable discussion among fans and industry experts as Aditya Dhar's spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge maintains its record-breaking global box office run. The presence has set up a clear narrative bridge to her 2025 social drama, Haq instead of being a callback to her role in Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), as was first reported.

What is the intense setting for Dhurandhar: The Revenge’s darker second half?

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge takes a turn for the darker in its second half, setting the scene in a Pakistani high-security hospital where an operative is ordered to eliminate a valuable target—one of the primary adversaries of Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari.

Onscreen, Gautam is seen caring for the target while disguised as a nurse. She carries out the killing in a rapid and methodical fashion. As she leaves the room, she gives Hamza, who is standing by the door, a knowing nod. In particular, the fact that her clothing uniform tag displayed the name "Shazia Bano" drew the attention of the viewers.

ALSO READ: Dhurandhar: The Revenge review - Effortless Ranveer Singh meets an effortless-to-ignore, Aditya Dhar's 'peak detailing' slog

What was the original significance of the character Shazia Bano in Haq?

In Suparn Varma's 2025 film Haq "Shazia Bano" is the name of the protagonist, played by Gautam. Inspired by the seminal Shah Bano case, the actor portrayed a woman in that film who, after enduring triple talaq, fought for maintenance rights in court.

The courtroom drama Haq took place in the '70s and '80s, yet the show's climax suggested that Shazia had become stronger and more independent. Playing a cameo role in Dhurandhar 2 implies recasting the character as an Indian intelligence asset skulking in hostile regions.

Why did fans initially expect a return of Yami Gautam’s character from Uri: The Surgical Strike?

Many thought that Gautam would play Jasmine D'Almeida, the intelligence officer from Uri: The Surgical Strike again before the film came out on March 19, 2026. Since Dhar is the director of both Uri and the Dhurandhar series, this notion started to gain some momentum.

Yet, the filmmaker has essentially established a multi-genre "Aditya Dhar Universe", or a larger spy network that comprises characters from several films, by opting to use the name "Shazia Bano". The move of this decision has focused on how subtly it rewards fans who stuck with Gautam from last year's performance.

How much has Dhurandhar: The Revenge earned at the global box office?

On March 24, the worldwide gross of Dhurandhar: The Revenge surpassed ₹800 crore. Many believe that the film's success can be attributed to its grand scope, Singh's performance, and the clever use of "Easter eggs", such as Gautam's cameo.

"I have already watched Dhurandhar 2. It is beyond extraordinary. I was really emotional... Aditya has given his life’s effort to make this film," Gautam said at a recent event, reflecting on the film's impact on her.

How does this brief appearance cement Yami Gautam’s status as a versatile actor?

The actor’s ability to anchor both social dramas and high-octane action thrillers is further demonstrated by her brief presence, which has already become one of the most shared clips on social media.

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