Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Hail Dhurandhar: The Revenge as Cinematic Masterpiece

Power couple praises Ranveer Singh's film and director Aditya Dhar ahead of IPL clash, sparking fresh buzz for blockbuster

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma watched Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals. The couple showered praise on the film, its director Aditya Dhar, and lead actor Ranveer Singh via Instagram Stories. Kohli called it an unmatched cinematic experience in Indian cinema.

Key Details

Kohli shared his reaction post-screening, writing he had "never seen a cinematic experience like this made in India." He noted the nearly four-hour runtime gripped him without a flinch, stirring every emotion. Anushka lauded the film's immersive storytelling and conviction in its length.

Both highlighted Ranveer Singh's "flawless" and "beyond brilliant" performance. Anushka also commended supporting cast including R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi. The posts quickly went viral, amplifying the film's nationwide buzz.

Screening Context

The couple caught the film just before RCB's high-stakes IPL encounter. Sources close to Kohli indicated they prioritised the outing amid a packed cricket schedule. 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', released recently, blends intense action with gripping narrative.

Director Responds

Aditya Dhar, who wrote, directed, and produced the film, replied promptly on Instagram. To Kohli, he expressed disbelief and fandom since the cricketer's Under-19 World Cup days. "Watching a once-in-a-generation legend show love like this just hits different," Dhar wrote, adding a Jai Hind salute.

For Anushka, Dhar called her praise "truly overwhelming" from an "exceptional talent." He vowed to aim higher with honest, heartfelt stories. Officials from the production house confirmed the exchanges boosted team morale.

Box Office Surge

The film raked in ₹1,021 crore in 19 days, with housefull shows nationwide. Dubbed versions expanded its reach across regions. As per reports, strong word-of-mouth and star power drove occupancy rates above 80% in key circuits.

Celebrity Endorsement Impact

Praise from Kohli, a national icon, and Anushka, a Bollywood stalwart, underscores the film's crossover appeal. Industry trackers noted a 15% spike in weekend bookings post their posts. Fans flooded social media, terming it a "public interest story" blending cinema and sports stardom.

Cultural Buzz

'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' has sparked discussions on long-format storytelling in Indian films. Sources indicated theatre chains extended runs due to demand. It marks Ranveer Singh's career high, with critics hailing his transformation.

Future Outlook

Producers eye international markets next, leveraging the endorsement. Dhar hinted at expanding the franchise. For Kohli and Anushka, their nod positions 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' as trending news India watches. Expect more celebrity reactions as IPL 2026 heats up—this latest news today from India news update cements its blockbuster status.

Filmmaker Praises Sequel’s Craft

Filmmaker Karan Johar has showered praise on Aditya Dhar’s latest directorial, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, calling it a masterclass in mainstream Hindi cinema. In an Instagram post on Friday, Johar described Dhar as an “outstanding filmmaker” who has raised the bar for commercial storytelling.

The film, which released on March 19, marks Dhar’s return to the director’s chair after the 2025 original. Johar’s post came days after the spy-action sequel crossed the ₹1000 crore mark at the global box office, cementing its position as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.

Johar Lauds Ranveer Singh’s Performance

In his post, Johar reserved special praise for lead actor Ranveer Singh, calling his portrayal of Hamza Ali Mazari – and his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi – the actor’s “career BEST work.” Johar wrote that Singh’s emotional range, from quiet stares to moments of swagger, proved he is “one of the greats.”

“Every tear of yours, every quiet stare, each time you walk with undeniable swag you prove you are one of the greats,” Johar said in the caption. He added that Singh would remain an “artist of huge calibre for the ages.”

Director’s Command Praised

Johar devoted significant attention to Aditya Dhar’s direction, highlighting the film’s layered storytelling. He noted that the heart-wrenching backstory of the protagonist and the humanised portrayal of the antagonist reflected Dhar’s “brilliance and directorial command.”

“The impeccable craft… the soundscape and the all round cinematic prowess proves the brilliance,” Johar wrote, adding that the filmmaker “not only raises the mainstream bar but also creates a new one.”

A Nod to 70s Hindi Cinema

The filmmaker, known for his own deep ties to Bollywood’s commercial landscape, drew a personal connection to Dhurandhar: The Revenge. He said the film took him back to the days of watching “pure solid Hindi cinema in single screens in the 70s.”

“I came out satiated and dreamt of being a part of this business… today I am a part of the fraternity and Dhurandhar reminded me of how proud and grateful I am to be here today,” Johar added in his post, which he shared alongside the film’s poster.

Sequel Builds on Spy-Action Universe

Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues the story set in Lyari town, Karachi, an area known for gang wars and turf battles. The franchise, backed by Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar under Jio Studios, follows covert intelligence operations against the backdrop of real-world geopolitical events.

The sequel charts the rise of Ranveer Singh’s character in the Karachi underworld while delving into his origins. The ensemble cast includes R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi, all reprising their roles from the first instalment. The film was released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

Box Office Dominance

According to trade sources, the film has grossed over ₹1000 crore worldwide within ten days of release. Industry observers attribute the strong performance to positive word-of-mouth and the expanded multilingual release strategy. The original Dhurandhar, released in 2025, had also emerged as a critical and commercial success.

What’s Next for the Franchise

While there has been no official announcement regarding a third instalment, sources indicate that the makers are exploring further expansion of the spy-action universe. With the franchise’s growing box office pull and Johar’s high-profile endorsement, the momentum around the property is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Arjun Rampal Witnessed 26/11 on His Birthday

Actor Arjun Rampal made a deeply personal revelation at the Hello! Hall of Fame Awards in Mumbai on March 22, 2026. His birthday falls on November 26 — the exact date the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks shook the nation. What was meant to be a night of celebration turned into one of the most traumatic experiences of his life, and as per reports, that memory never left him.

The actor's candid account quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, drawing attention across India news updates and entertainment portals alike.

Rampal Was at Hotel That Night

Rampal had originally planned to ring in his birthday at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba — one of the primary targets of the coordinated terror siege. However, circumstances placed him at the Four Seasons Hotel in Worli when the first explosion tore through the city.

What began as a festive evening shifted dramatically within moments. Sources indicated that Rampal, like hundreds of others across Mumbai that night, had no immediate understanding of what was unfolding outside.

Glass Shook, Chaos Followed

"I heard that sound and the whole glass kind of shook and rattled," Rampal recalled, describing the moment the blast reverberated through the hotel. Initial information circulating on the ground pointed to a gang war in Colaba, with no one yet grasping the coordinated scale of the attack.

Within minutes, reports of gunfire, hostage situations, and multiple simultaneous strikes began filtering through. The atmosphere inside the hotel shifted from confusion to controlled alarm as staff scrambled to secure the premises.

Hotel Locked Down Within Minutes

Hotel management moved quickly. Within 20 to 30 minutes, the Four Seasons was fully cordoned off and guests were informed it was unsafe to leave. Rampal was moved to a suite for the night as Mumbai braced for what would become a 60-hour siege across multiple locations.

He spent his birthday — a date that should have carried celebration — watching the horrors of the 26/11 attacks unfold in real time through news broadcasts and the sounds filtering in from the city outside. As per reports, the experience left a permanent mark on him.

Morning After Left Him Shaken

The following morning brought little relief. As Rampal made his way home through a city still reeling from the carnage, the emotional weight of the previous night caught up with him fully.

According to the actor, he was forced to stop his car at least three times during the drive. The physical toll of what he had witnessed — the sounds, the fear, the scale of the tragedy — left him unable to continue without pausing to collect himself. It was, by his own account, one of the hardest mornings of his life.

Dhurandhar Role Felt Personal

Years later, when filmmaker Aditya Dhar sat down with Rampal to narrate the 26/11 sequence in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, something clicked immediately. The actor did not approach the role as a craft exercise — he approached it as unfinished emotional business.

"When Aditya Dhar narrated to me the 26/11 scene, I knew I was going to have my revenge," Rampal said, with visible conviction. He described channelling years of suppressed grief and anger into every scene, determined to do justice to the victims and survivors of that night.

The statement resonated widely, with audiences and industry insiders alike recognising the rare authenticity behind his words. This was not a promotional soundbite — it was a public interest story rooted in lived experience.

Rampal Plays ISI Handler in Film

In Dhurandhar: The Revenge, Arjun Rampal plays Major Iqbal, an ISI operative portrayed as one of the key architects and coordinators of the 26/11 attacks. The character is shown actively communicating with the attackers during the siege, celebrating as the carnage unfolds.

It is a deeply unsettling role — and one that Rampal, given his personal history with that night, clearly did not take lightly. According to sources close to the production, his preparation for the character went well beyond conventional research, drawing directly from emotional memory.

The contrast between his real-life trauma as a bystander and his on-screen portrayal of a perpetrator gives the performance an edge that critics have taken note of since the film's release.

Film Crosses ₹761 Crore Globally

Released on March 19, Dhurandhar: The Revenge crossed ₹761 crore at the global box office within its opening weekend alone, as per trade reports. The film is firmly on course to breach the ₹1,000 crore mark, placing it among the biggest Bollywood openings in recent memory.

The numbers reflect not just the film's star power but also the strong public appetite for stories rooted in national memory and real events. Trending news India searches around the film spiked sharply following its release weekend.

Cast Includes Bollywood Heavyweights

Dhurandhar: The Revenge brings together one of the strongest ensemble casts assembled for an Indian action thriller in recent years. The film stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun alongside Rampal.

Each casting choice carries weight within the narrative, and early audience response has pointed to strong performances across the board. The film's release has sparked renewed national conversation around the 26/11 attacks and their lasting impact on India's security and collective psyche.

Arjun Rampal's firsthand account of witnessing the attacks adds a dimension few Bollywood releases can claim — a direct human connection between the artist, the event, and the story being told on screen.

The sequel that India was waiting for has arrived. It is bigger, bloodier and bolder. But one absence cuts deeper than any action sequence.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge — directed by Aditya Dhar and released on March 19, 2026 — is not just a sequel. It is a statement. The first part grossed over Rs 1,300 crore worldwide and became the highest-grossing Hindi film in India's domestic history. The second part has opened with a Rs 236.63 crore worldwide gross on Day 1 alone, beating every Hindi film before it — Jawan, Pathaan, every record — to become the biggest opening day in Bollywood history. Industry analysts are now saying Aamir Khan's Dangal's nine-year record of Rs 2,000 crore all-time gross is genuinely under threat.

Ranveer Singh — Superstar Mode Fully Unlocked

If Part 1 was Akshaye Khanna's film — where Ranveer played second fiddle to a towering villain — Part 2 is entirely Ranveer Singh's universe. As Jaskirat Singh Rangi transforming into the feared Hamza Ali Mazari — covert Indian intelligence agent operating deep inside Karachi's criminal and political underworld — Ranveer goes to places most actors simply cannot follow. The silent gaze. The bloodthirsty eyes in the climax. The emotionally charged moments of vulnerability when Jaskirat's loneliness surfaces. Taran Adarsh called it career-defining. Koimoi said you fall in love with him all over again. DNA India says he will be the biggest superstar of 2026 and a genuine threat to the Khans. Every frame he inhabits — he owns.

The runtime is 235 minutes — nearly four hours — and not a minute feels wasted.

Arjun Rampal — The Scene Stealer Nobody Saw Coming

In a film full of powerhouse performances — the actor generating the most electricity is Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal. Cold. Calculated. Menacing. He enters the second half and takes complete ownership of the narrative. His ten-minute confrontation with his father is being called the single most powerful scene in the film — a masterclass in restraint that builds into an explosion. His eventual face-off with Ranveer Singh is already being called the best villain-hero clash in recent Bollywood memory. As veteran critic Shobhaa De noted — Arjun Rampal chewed up the screen in ways that reminded audiences why this actor, when given the right material, is genuinely exceptional.

The Supporting Cast — Solid All Around

Sanjay Dutt as SSP Chaudhary Aslam dominates the first half as the primary antagonist before giving way to Rampal in the second. His cartoonish menace is exactly what the role demands and he delivers it with full commitment. R Madhavan as IB Director Ajay Sanyal is a beauty — precise, authoritative and deeply watchable even with limited screen time. Sara Arjun has substantially more to do this time — she is not just a supporting presence but a full character with emotional stakes. Rakesh Bedi as politician Jameel Jamali is the film's biggest surprise — a performance of cunning vulnerability that the audience never saw coming. Danish Pandor as Uzair Baloch brings a terrifying physicality to a role that includes some of the film's most disturbing sequences. Allu Arjun, Vijay Deverakonda and Preity Zinta all praised the film publicly after screenings — with Preity summing it up simply — revenge ho toh Dhurandhar jaisa ho, warna na ho.

The One Wound the Film Cannot Heal — Akshaye Khanna

Here is the painful truth. Part 1 was great because of Ranveer Singh and because Akshaye Khanna's Rehman Dakait was one of the finest villain performances in Indian cinema history. Cold, charming, terrifying and ultimately human — Khanna elevated every scene he was in. In Part 2 — Rehman Dakait is dead. And his absence creates a void that even Arjun Rampal's excellent work cannot entirely fill. As Shobhaa De observed — Akshaye Khanna was so missed. The film acknowledges this — it builds its entire opening around the aftermath of Rehman's death — but no acknowledgement can substitute for the real thing. Aditya Dhar is a smart enough filmmaker to know this, and the film works despite that loss. But it never quite reaches the emotional heights of Part 1 because of it.

The Controversy — Propaganda or Patriotism?

Dhurandhar 2 has reignited the debate that followed Part 1. Is it patriotic cinema or state-sponsored propaganda? Rakesh Bedi, speaking to NDTV, refused to accept the propaganda label — saying everyone has the right to like or dislike a film but putting it in a category is unfair. The film draws heavily from real events — the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, ISI operations, the Baloch underworld — and blends them with fiction in ways that are deliberately designed to generate strong emotional responses. Some will call it dangerous. Most audiences simply call it cinema.

Verdict

Dhurandhar: The Revenge is a blockbuster by every definition. Ranveer Singh delivers the performance of his career. Arjun Rampal reminds India what it has been missing. Aditya Dhar delivers a sequel that is bigger, sharper and more brutal than its predecessor. The absence of Akshaye Khanna is the only scar on an otherwise extraordinary achievement. See it on the biggest screen you can find.