It is not very common for a Bollywood film to be discussed mainly for its casting, especially when it comes to supporting roles or characters with very little screen time. However, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has been an exception. Much like the first film, the sequel has drawn attention for its detailed casting, often described as director Aditya Dhar’s focus on “peak detailing”. What started as appreciation has now become a major talking point among viewers.

As the film continues its strong run at the box office, casting director Mukesh Chhabra spoke to Hindustan Times about the effort that went into selecting actors for the film. He explained that the project was originally planned as a single film, but due to its length, it was later divided into two parts. Together, the films have a runtime of nearly eight hours and include around 300 characters, both big and small.

Talking about the scale of the work, Mukesh said, “In two parts, there are more than 300 people, and casting every role was difficult. It took two years of my life, and eight of my assistants worked day and night on the film, creating every look and finding every actor fit for each role. But it was so fun,” he tells us.

He also shared that he worked closely with Aditya Dhar throughout the process. Despite some disagreements, their collaboration helped shape the final result. “Aditya and I have been friends, so we can fight a bit. We can reach that common ground. There were lots of discussions where I heard him, he heard me, and we fought. But his brief was very clear, and that helped. I could visualise what he was imagining and what he wanted. There was no confusion.”

According to Mukesh, the positive response to the casting shows that audiences have connected with the characters. “This is our reward. We worked so hard on getting these actors right, and now people are discussing who played Atiq Ahmed, and where did Babu Dakait come from? It means they have connected with the story and the characters. The work has been very detailed. Nothing has been done on the surface. There is so much detailing. Of course, half my work was done with Aditya’s brief because it was so well-detailed,” he adds.

Mukesh, who has been working in casting for around two decades and has been part of films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Jawan, believes that one key reason behind the film’s success is the creative freedom given to him. He said, “Here it was just him (Aditya Dhar) and me. Jab kaafi log casting mein ghuste hain, tabhi casting kharab hoti hai (When too many people are involved in casting, then it all goes wrong). In such cases, so many people give so much gyan.”

The film stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy operating in Pakistan. The story follows his character as he goes undercover to enter the network of Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna. The cast also includes R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.

At present, Dhurandhar 2 is running in theatres and is reportedly close to crossing ₹1000 crore at the box office, reflecting its wide reach and audience interest.

Bhushan Kumar and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri have come together for a new film project titled Operation Sindoor. The film is based on the book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan authored by Lt Gen K.J.S. Dhillon.

The project is expected to focus on real-life military operations carried out by Indian forces, particularly those involving cross-border strategic actions. According to sources, the narrative is set in the backdrop of heightened tensions following incidents such as the Pahalgam terror attack, which had significant security implications in the region.

The makers have indicated that the film will rely on extensive research, including inputs from multiple divisions of the Indian Armed Forces. This approach is aimed at ensuring that the depiction of events remains grounded in documented accounts and operational realities. Industry observers note that such collaborations between filmmakers and defence sources have become more common in recent years for projects dealing with sensitive national security subjects.

The storyline is expected to explore planning, execution, and the broader strategic impact of India’s deep strike capabilities. It may also touch upon geopolitical aspects linked to India-Pakistan relations, though specific plot details have not been officially disclosed.

From a trade perspective, the film adds to the growing slate of content in the Hindi film industry that draws inspiration from real incidents, particularly those related to defence and intelligence operations. This trend has seen increased audience interest in recent years, especially for stories positioned as factual or research-based.

At this stage, no information has been shared regarding the cast, production timeline, or release schedule. However, the collaboration between a major production house and a filmmaker known for handling real-event subjects has generated early attention within industry circles.

The project remains in development, with further announcements expected in the coming months.

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Filmmaker Priyadarshan recently spoke about his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa and shared an interesting memory related to one of its most popular songs, “Mere Dholna”. In a conversation, he talked about how Vidya Balan prepared for the song despite doubts about her dancing skills.

Priyadarshan said that there was a time when people believed Vidya could not dance well. He also mentioned that choreographer Farah Khan had once told her the same. However, Vidya decided to take it as a challenge and worked hard to improve. Talking about her effort, he said to Variety India, “There was a time when people used to think that Vidya (Balan) could not dance. And she told me, ‘I will take it as a big challenge.’ Vidya practised for 35–40 days just to do this song.”

He further explained that Vidya was performing alongside Vineeth Radhakrishnan, who is known for his strong background in classical dance. Despite that, she managed to match his energy in the performance. Priyadarshan recalled, “She matched his energy. And one day, Vidya came and told me, ‘I will never forget this song in my life because someone who once told me I cannot dance, Farah Khan, has appreciated me for it.’ And Shobhana was also called and praised. She said, ‘I will never be able to repeat it, but this is the best thing you have done for me.’ So this is something I remember very well.”

The song “Mere Dholna” went on to become one of the most well known songs from the film. Vidya Balan’s performance in the sequence, especially her portrayal of the character Manjulika, was widely appreciated and is still remembered by audiences.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa, directed by Priyadarshan, is set around a haunted palace and mixes elements of suspense, psychology and comedy. The story follows a couple who return to their ancestral home and begin to experience strange events. A psychiatrist, played by Akshay Kumar, is brought in to understand what is happening, leading to a mix of mystery and humour.

Over time, the film has remained popular for its story, performances and music, with Vidya Balan’s role continuing to stand out as one of its most memorable parts.

Apart from lead actors like Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt, the film Dhurandhar : The Revenge has also drawn attention for its supporting cast. One name that has come into focus after the film’s release is Hirav Mehta. He plays a Baloch gang member in the film and is part of an important turning point in the story involving Sanjay Dutt’s character.

Hirav Mehta is relatively new to mainstream cinema. Before entering films, he built a strong presence on social media through fitness-related content. While he may not yet be widely known in the film industry, his role in Dhurandhar 2 has helped him gain visibility among audiences. In the film, he shares screen space with experienced actors, which has further contributed to the attention he is receiving.

On social media, Hirav has a growing following. His personal Instagram account has around 65,000 followers. He also runs a separate fitness-focused page called “Muscle Mehta,” which has over 1.9 million followers. This shows that he already had a strong base as a fitness influencer before stepping into acting.

Recently, Hirav shared his experience of working on the film and expressed gratitude towards director Aditya Dhar and co-actor Ranveer Singh. Thanking the director, he wrote, “Thank you @adityadharfilms sir, I learnt so much being on set with you. You are so grounded, kind, and truly an incredible director. The way you explain every detail made it possible for me to deliver my shots in one take. Truly inspiring, sir, you are a legend.”

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He also spoke about his experience of working with Ranveer Singh, saying, “Sharing the frame with @ranveersingh, a senior co-actor, a mentor in many ways, and someone I’m proud to now call a friend. An incredible performer, an amazing human being, and a constant source of inspiration, not just for me, but for every actor out there chasing the craft. Grateful to have shared a scene with this legend.”

Overall, Hirav Mehta’s role in Dhurandhar 2 marks an important step in his acting journey. His transition from fitness content creator to film actor highlights how digital popularity can open doors to opportunities in cinema.

As Ranveer Singh celebrates the huge success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge and its sequel, the film industry has been praising his performance and dedication. While many celebrities have openly supported him, some social media users have noticed that a few big names from Bollywood have not yet reacted. In the middle of this discussion, an old video of Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh has gone viral and touched many hearts online.

The video is from an award function when Ranveer Singh had just started his career. He was seen getting emotional while giving a speech for his debut film Band Baaja Baaraat. As he finished speaking and was about to leave the stage, Shah Rukh Khan called him back in a warm and friendly way. He joked about how it was the older actors who should be worried now that a new talent like Ranveer had entered the industry.

Throwback to the time when @iamsrk uplifted crying Ranveer Singh by saying, “Tu Kyu roh raha hai, rona toh hume chahiye… hamara kya hoga, tu aagaya industry mein”.

Today, with #Dhurandhar2‌, he has set new records in the history of Indian Cinema. Two All-Time Grossers in three… pic.twitter.com/R8IrwulyDQ

— JUST A FAN. (@iamsrk_brk) March 23, 2026

Shah Rukh then hugged Ranveer and comforted him, telling him how talented and good looking he is. His words were full of encouragement and support, making the moment very special. Actor Shahid Kapoor was also seen on stage, showing support, while Karan Johar stood nearby. The camera even showed Salman Khan smiling in the audience during the moment.

Fans online have loved this video and shared it widely. Many people feel that Shah Rukh Khan’s words from that time have come true today. Some fans said that it looked like he had predicted Ranveer Singh’s future success. Others praised Shah Rukh for always supporting new talent and appreciating others openly.

The video has reminded people of the strong bond and respect that exists between actors in the industry. It also shows how a few kind words at the right time can make a big difference in someone’s journey.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues to perform extremely well at the box office. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has already crossed massive numbers within days of its release. With such strong performance, Ranveer Singh has once again proved his place among the top actors, and fans are excited to see what he does next.

Ameesha Patel has reacted strongly to the massive success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. While she praised the film and its team, she also took a sharp dig at the film industry. Sharing her thoughts on social media, she called the film an eye opener and said that filmmakers should focus on making real films instead of treating them like projects.

The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has been doing extremely well at the box office. It has broken several records and is being widely discussed for its scale, storytelling and performances. Many well known actors from different film industries have praised the movie, adding to its popularity.

In her post, Ameesha said that the industry should learn from the film’s success. She pointed out that the director focused on making a proper film with actors, instead of casting people just because they are popular on social media. Her comment clearly highlighted her concern about the current trend where online popularity sometimes influences casting decisions.

Her statement has started conversations online, with many people agreeing that strong storytelling and good casting are more important than trends. Others felt her comment was a direct criticism of how some films are being made today.

Eye opener 👌Industry Praising DHURANDHAR is wow and the brand deserves all the accolades 👏👏industry needs to realise that ADITYA made a film and not a project,,casted actors and not instagrammars who trend at parties 👍stop making projects and and start making films👍

— ameesha patel (@ameesha_patel) March 24, 2026

The film has received praise from several big names including Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut, Allu Arjun, Rajinikanth and Mahesh Babu. In fact, Rajinikanth even called the film a must watch and praised Aditya Dhar for his work. The director responded with gratitude and said that such appreciation from a legend meant a lot to him.

Another important reason behind the film’s success is its casting. The casting was handled by Mukesh Chhabra, who brought together a mix of popular stars and talented actors. Along with Ranveer Singh, the film features Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna in key roles.

With both strong box office numbers and growing industry support, Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues to stay in the spotlight, while also sparking an important conversation about the future of filmmaking.

Shweta Tripathi recently opened up about her strong emotional connection with her popular character Golu Gupta from the hit series Mirzapur. She shared that playing Golu for so many years has been more than just acting. For her, it has been a life changing journey that helped her grow both personally and professionally.

When Mirzapur first released, viewers were introduced to Gajgamini Golu Gupta as a simple and intelligent college girl. She loved reading books and preferred staying away from violence and chaos. In a show filled with crime, power struggles and strong personalities, Golu stood out because of her calm nature and sharp thinking.

Even in the first season, many people noticed how different her character was. Critics and audiences appreciated how Shweta brought honesty and depth to Golu. While other characters showed power through strength and aggression, Golu’s strength came from her intelligence, observation and emotional strength. People liked that she showed a different kind of power, one that did not rely on violence.

As the story moved forward, viewers saw a big change in Golu’s character. She slowly grew from a quiet and curious girl into a strong and fearless woman. Over time, she became one of the most powerful and strategic characters in the series. Fans started calling her Golu Didi, and she became one of the most loved characters in the show.

Talking about this journey, Shweta said it still gives her butterflies. She shared that living with the same character for almost eight years is very rare for an actor. She feels thankful that she got the chance to grow along with Golu and explore so many emotions through her.

She also remembered how people reacted after the first season. Many viewers wrote about how Golu brought calmness and intelligence into such a violent world. Others loved that she was thoughtful and observant instead of loud and aggressive. These responses meant a lot to her because they truly captured what the character stands for.

Shweta added that Golu has given her a lot of love, recognition and unforgettable memories. She said a part of her will always remain Golu, and she feels happy when fans call her Golu Didi. For her, Mirzapur did not just change her career, it gave her a character she will always cherish.