After shattering multiple box-office records and establishing itself as one of the year's most significant cinematic triumphs, the film 'Dhurandhar' continues its unstoppable run in theatres nationwide. What began as a grand action spectacle has transformed into a full-blown cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its epic scale, stunning visuals, and an ensemble of powerhouse performers.
An Instant Realisation of Blockbuster Potential
In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, television actor Hirav Mehta, who portrays a BUF Rebel in the film, opened up about recognising the movie's blockbuster destiny long before its release. He stated that the realisation hit him almost immediately on set.
"Maybe while shooting," Hirav recalled. "When I went for the shoot on the first day itself, when I saw the set, when I saw that Aditya Dhar sir was directing it so well, and when I met all the actors like Ranveer Singh sir, Akshaye Khanna sir, Sanjay Dutt sir and all the other actors, I instantly knew that this was going to be a blockbuster film."
He attributed this early confidence not to guesswork but to the tangible elements he witnessed. "The script was amazing, the set was amazing, and the cinematography, direction and acting were all top-notch. I think while shooting itself, I understood that," he added, highlighting the meticulous planning and sheer professionalism that permeated the production.
A Masterclass with Industry Titans
For Hirav, sharing screen space with stalwarts like Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal was less daunting and more of an invaluable education. He described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime acting masterclass.
"Looking at Ranveer Singh sir’s acting, Akshaye Khanna sir, Sanjay Dutt sir, R Madhavan sir and Arjun Rampal sir, when I actually shot scenes with them, it felt like an acting masterclass. In simple words, I learned a lot, and it is going to stay with me forever," Hirav expressed.
He reserved special praise for Ranveer Singh's infectious energy and generosity. "When Ranveer Singh sir enters the set, he walks in with an aura. He has so much energy, and not random energy – it’s the kind that people around him also feel," Hirav said. He also shared a heartwarming anecdote about the star boosting his confidence on his first day: "Ranveer Singh sir remembered my name, Hirav, and while we were shooting, he hyped me up from the background. That gave me so much confidence."
Behind the Scenes of the Viral 'Fa9la' Song
Hirav also featured in Akshaye Khanna's wildly popular song 'Fa9la', which took the internet by storm, particularly for Akshaye's understated yet iconic hook step. According to Hirav, the magic of that step was entirely spontaneous.
"To be very honest, the hook-step was completely improvised," he revealed. He described his brief but memorable interaction with the composed actor on set: "I was already on the set when Akshaye Khanna sir entered. He was locked into his character, but I still went up to him, introduced myself... He greeted me nicely."
Hirav noted that while Akshaye Khanna maintains a calm exterior, the actor was undoubtedly aware of the impact of his performance. "Akshaye sir has a very calm and composed personality, so even if the scene has turned out amazing, you wouldn’t notice his excitement on the set. But deep within, I’m sure he knew he had killed it," Hirav concluded.
Directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, 'Dhurandhar' stands as a testament to large-scale filmmaking that resonates deeply with audiences, a fact its cast and crew believed in from the very first day of the shoot.
