The trailer of Dhurandhar has ignited intense curiosity about the real figures behind its high-impact characters. Directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt, the film claims to be inspired by “incredible true events”. While the makers have held back exact details, the characters strongly mirror real individuals from India–Pakistan espionage, counterterror operations and Karachi’s underworld.
From screen to reality: Heroic operatives
Ranveer Singh — The undercover operative
Ranveer Singh is introduced as the “Wrath of God”, a fierce, undercover figure operating deep within hostile territory. Although unnamed, his character is widely believed to be inspired by Major Mohit Sharma, the Para SF officer who famously infiltrated Hizbul Mujahideen under the alias Iftikhar Bhat. Sharma, a decorated hero awarded the Ashok Chakra, was later killed during an encounter in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir. The film appears to draw on this covert mission and the sacrifices of officers who work without recognition.
R. Madhavan — The strategic mastermind
Madhavan plays Ajay Sanyal, the calm and calculating intelligence veteran coordinating high-stakes operations. His character is seen as a tribute to Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor, renowned for his deep intelligence experience and role in counterterror strategies. Madhavan has said that director Aditya Dhar guided him carefully to give the portrayal an authentic tone, suggesting the character is built on real intelligence frameworks.
Villains: The dark underworld and its enforcers
Arjun Rampal — Major Iqbal, the “Angel of Death”
Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal is a cold-blooded ISI handler whose brutality and dominance shape the film’s antagonistic arc. The character bears strong resemblance to Ilyas Kashmiri, a feared militant who was often described as “the new Osama bin Laden”.
Kashmiri was linked to multiple terror networks and covert operations, making him a likely inspiration for the film’s chilling portrayal.
Akshaye Khanna — Rehman Dakait, the “Apex Predator”
Akshaye Khanna steps into the role of Rehman Dakait, a crime lord deeply entrenched in Karachi’s gang politics. This figure parallels Abdul Rehman Baloch, famously known as Rehman Dakait, who controlled the Lyari underworld and founded the People’s Aman Committee. His violent reign, political ties and shadowy dominance form the foundation of Khanna’s menacing character.
Sanjay Dutt — SP Chaudhary Aslam, “The Jinn”
Sanjay Dutt’s character, a powerful and feared police officer known as “The Jinn”, closely mirrors Chaudhry Aslam Khan, a controversial yet celebrated officer known for leading tough operations against Lyari gangsters. Aslam survived multiple assassination attempts and was both admired and criticised for his methods, adding depth to Dutt’s representation of a morally grey but formidable law enforcer.
Themes and real-world echoes
Dhurandhar appears to interweave three powerful themes — covert espionage, organised crime and cross-border conflict. The film hints at undercover operations inside Pakistan, gang warfare in Karachi’s Lyari district and the blurred lines between policing, militancy and state machinery.
Several reports and analyses suggest the story echoes aspects of Operation Lyari, a real anti-gang campaign in Karachi, while also borrowing from documented counterterror missions conducted by Indian agencies. The characters appear to be amalgams — rooted in real people but dramatised for cinematic tension.
What’s confirmed vs what remains speculative
While the film states it is “based on incredible true events”, creators have not named specific individuals or operations. Much of the character-to-real-figure mapping comes from public speculation, visual cues in the trailer and discussions among fans familiar with South Asian geopolitics.
Connections to Major Mohit Sharma, Ajit Doval, Rehman Dakait or Chaudhry Aslam have not been officially confirmed, but the parallels are too striking to ignore. For now, they stand as highly credible inspirations rather than declared portrayals.
Why this reel-real blend matters
The use of real-life templates gives Dhurandhar an emotional and political weight that elevates it beyond a generic action thriller. It becomes a tribute to undercover operatives who live and die anonymously, a study of complex villains shaped by geopolitics, and a reminder of the shadow wars fought in South Asia.
This blend also sparks discussion — about sacrifice, moral ambiguity and the real stories that inspire Bollywood’s most intense narratives.