R Madhavan recalls emotional 26/11 scene in ‘Dhurandhar’ that left Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal in tears

Aditya Dhar’s action drama ‘Dhurandhar’ became a massive box-office phenomenon. Featuring a powerhouse ensemble led by Ranveer Singh alongside Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, the film blended spectacle with intense real-world inspiration. Among its most talked-about moments was a sequence recreating the night of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Recreating a painful chapter

The team approached the 26/11 sequence with extreme seriousness. The sets, sound design, and performances were carefully crafted to capture the chaos and fear of that night. Madhavan revealed that the atmosphere during filming felt unusually heavy, as though the cast and crew were reliving history rather than staging fiction. Even seasoned actors found it difficult to detach from the emotional weight of the subject.

When the cameras stopped

The most powerful moment, Madhavan said, came after the director called cut. Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal had just completed a portion portraying characters celebrating the attack. Though they were performing scripted roles, the emotional toll struck them afterward.

Madhavan recalled in an interview with Sonia Shenoy on YouTube, "After that scene ended, they broke down completely. They cried uncontrollably. It wasn't just acting for them. They have lived through those times. They have seen real incidents like that. It brought back memories. That's when I realised this was a very special film." Their reaction underscored how deeply the events resonated beyond the script.

For Madhavan, that moment changed his perception of the project. He realised the film was not only about action or box-office success but also about collective memory and human emotion.

Looking ahead to 'Dhurandhar 2'

With the sequel now scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, expectations are soaring. Unlike the original, the new installment will reach viewers across multiple languages, expanding its footprint nationwide. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar and backed by Aditya Dhar, Jyoti Deshpande, and Lokesh Dhar. If the emotional intensity of the first part is any indication, audiences can expect another powerful cinematic experience.

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