Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal Broke Down After 26/11 Scene in Dhurandhar, Reveals R. Madhavan

During the filming of Dhurandhar, a scene depicting the 26/11 terrorist attacks deeply affected actors Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal. According to R. Madhavan, both actors were visibly overwhelmed and broke down in tears as soon as director Aditya Dhar called “cut.”

The film, which released on 5 December 2025, not only performed exceptionally at the box office but also left a lasting impact on audiences. The 26/11 sequence was recreated to reflect the real-life terror attacks, and it hit the actors profoundly. Khanna and Rampal’s on-screen characters celebrated the attacks in the film, but in reality, the emotional weight of the scene brought them to tears.

Real-Life Inspirations and Intense Preparation

R. Madhavan portrayed Ajay Sanyal, the Intelligence Bureau chief, inspired by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Dhurandhar drew from multiple real events, including the 26/11 attacks. While filming that scene, the cast had to relive the horrifying moments of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which left a deep emotional impact.

Madhavan told YouTuber Sonia Shinoy,

“After the scene ended, both Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal were completely shattered. They broke down crying. It wasn’t just acting for them; they were reliving those real events. Old memories came rushing back, and the set fell into a stunned silence afterward.”

The Chilling Audio Scene

Following the 26/11 scene, the film featured another intense sequence showing terrorists’ real conversations with their handlers. The screen turned red, and the audio of the terrorists’ instructions—including orders to harm civilians, including women and children—played in the background, sending chills through both the cast and audiences.

Anticipation for the Sequel

Dhurandhar starred Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, Soumya Tandon, and Rakesh Bedi. The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is slated for release on 19 March 2026 and is already highly anticipated by fans.