Dhurandhar first look poster: Akshaye Khanna is Ranveer Singh's 'apex predator' foe in spy thriller

Unveiling Akshaye Khanna's terrifying first-look poster today, the promotional campaign for filmmaker Aditya Dhar's much-awaited spy action thriller, Dhurandhar, achieved a new pinnacle. The release, which has been circulating on social media, bestowed the terrifying moniker "The Apex Predator" upon the actor's character.

Akshaye Khanna's fierce and gruff transformation

In contrast to his often demure roles, the eye-catching first-look poster depicts Khanna in a fierce and gruff demeanour. The actor wears a grimy blue shirt with bloodstains and grime on it, and his face shows a mix of restrained rage and gloomy concentration. His half-lit face has the marks of a recent struggle or battle, with visible bruises and a smear of blood, suggesting the brutality of his job. Khanna's messy hair adds to the impression that he is a dangerous person.

The name "The Apex Predator" is strong and confirms what many have thought: that Khanna will be a major villain in the spy drama. Filmmakers have given descriptive names to cast members as part of a series of revelation events, and this character introduction is no exception. The previous introduction of Arjun Rampal as "Angel of Death" and R. Madhavan as "Charioteer of Karma" highlighted the film's high stakes and ethically grey milieu. Khanna's cunning antagonist reportedly opposes Ranveer Singh's character, an R&AW agent.

ALSO READ: Dhurandhar: Ranveer Singh drops killer look of Arjun Rampal as 'Angel of Death' ahead of trailer release; Fans call the cast 'goated'

Ranveer Singh unveils all major characters

The film's leading man, Singh, who has been spearheading the film's digital marketing, confirmed the role's identity with a compelling one-liner and posted the first look across his social media platforms. Many people are talking about the film's naming scheme, which portrays it as a titanic showdown in which every major character—including Sanjay Dutt, who was introduced as "The Jinn"—has a strong, mythological-sounding identity.

Furthermore, the poster confirms the release of the Dhurandhar full-length trailer at 12:12 PM tomorrow. This news solidifies the film's new promotional schedule, which had temporarily halted. The tragic occurrence near Delhi's Red Fort prompted the postponement of the initial trailer presentation from November 12 as a gesture of respect. The makers will release the trailer on November 18, 2025, at 12:12 PM, allowing us to resume the promotions for the December release.

Anticipation for spy thriller

The makers behind the critically acclaimed Uri: The Surgical Strike and the ensemble cast of Dhurandhar are drawing inspiration from actual events and clandestine operations. The film's grim tone and the hope that it will highlight the unsung bravery of India's intelligence agents have created a great deal of buzz. The trailer is about to be released, so fans will get a good idea of the film's scale before it opens in theatres on December 5, 2025.

FAQs:

Q: Who is Akshaye Khanna playing in the movie Dhurandhar?

A: Akshaye Khanna is playing one of the principal antagonists in the spy action thriller Dhurandhar. His character has been introduced with the menacing title, “The Apex Predator,” and he is set to be a sharp-witted adversary to Ranveer Singh’s lead R&AW agent character.

Q: When is the Dhurandhar movie trailer releasing?

A: The official full-length trailer for Dhurandhar is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 12:12 PM. The trailer launch was previously postponed following a tragic incident near the Red Fort in Delhi.

Q: Who is the director of the film Dhurandhar?

A: Dhurandhar is directed by Aditya Dhar, who is well-known for helming the National Award-winning action film, Uri: The Surgical Strike.