The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has generated considerable buzz, particularly regarding the inspiration behind its characters. While the film is described as being "inspired by actual events", the director, Aditya Dhar, has officially clarified that Ranveer Singh's character is not based on the life of Major Mohit Sharma, a decorated Indian Army officer.
Major Mohit Sharma, a name synonymous with courage and sacrifice, was an officer in the elite 1st Para Special Forces of the Indian Army. Born on January 13, 1978, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration. This honor was bestowed upon him for his exceptional bravery and leadership during a counter-terrorism operation in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on March 21, 2009.
In that operation, Major Sharma led his team against infiltrating terrorists in the dense Hafruda forest. Despite facing heavy fire, he eliminated four terrorists and rescued two of his teammates, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in the process. His selfless actions and unwavering resolve in the face of danger led to the successful completion of the mission, but ultimately cost him his life.
Prior to his martyrdom, Major Sharma had already distinguished himself with acts of valor. He received the Sena Medal for gallantry in 2004. In one daring operation, he infiltrated the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group under the alias "Iftikhar Bhat". This covert operation showcased his exceptional courage and resourcefulness, as he successfully gathered intelligence and eliminated terrorists from within their ranks. He was also awarded the COAS Commendation card for exemplary counter-terrorism duties during Operation Rakshak.
Given Major Sharma's history of undercover operations and his ultimate sacrifice in Kashmir, it's understandable why many initially speculated that Ranveer Singh's character in Dhurandhar might be inspired by him. The film's trailer further fueled these speculations, with glimpses of Singh portraying a character potentially operating as an undercover agent or an Indian Army soldier in Pakistan.
However, with Dhurandhar's release date of December 5, 2025, approaching, director Aditya Dhar has clarified that the film is a work of fiction and not a biopic of Major Mohit Sharma. Dhar has assured that if a biopic on Major Sharma is ever made, it will be done with the full consent and involvement of his family, ensuring that it appropriately honors his legacy.
While Ranveer Singh's character may not be based on Major Mohit Sharma, other characters in Dhurandhar are believed to be inspired by real-life figures. Arjun Rampal's character, Major Iqbal, is speculated to be based on Ilyas Kashmiri, a Pakistani militant. Akshaye Khanna's portrayal of Rehman Dakait is thought to be inspired by Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, a notorious criminal from Karachi. R. Madhavan's character, Ajay Sanyal, is rumored to be based on India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Sanjay Dutt's character, SP Chaudhary Aslam, seems to draw inspiration from the officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan.
Dhurandhar reportedly draws inspiration from Operation Lyari, a covert mission in Pakistan.
Major Mohit Sharma's legacy continues to inspire generations. His courage, leadership, and sacrifice serve as a shining example of the values upheld by the Indian Armed Forces. In 2019, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation renamed the Rajendra Nagar metro station in Ghaziabad as Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar metro station in his honor.
