Rakesh Bedi’s Latest Comment Adds Fuel To The Dhurandhar Inspiration Controversy

The release of Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has been met with positive reviews, but a recent statement from veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has reignited a controversy surrounding the film's inspiration. In an interview with ITV Blink, Bedi, who plays a politician in the film, suggested that Dhurandhar may have been "inspired" by the life of the late Major Mohit Sharma, a decorated Indian Army officer.

This statement comes after the family of Major Mohit Sharma filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking to halt the film's release. The family alleged that Dhurandhar drew "unauthorized inspiration" from the late officer's life without their consent or the Indian Army's approval. Although the court did not issue a stay order, allowing the film to be released, Bedi's recent comments have added a new layer to the ongoing debate.

Bedi addressed the controversy by stating that most films draw inspiration from real stories or archetypes. He referenced Sholay, suggesting it was inspired by Seven Samurai or Five Man Army, emphasizing that inspiration is common but doesn't mean a film is based entirely on another work. Bedi added, "I salute Mohit Sharma for what he did, but definitely… it may be inspired from there, but it's not based on it". He also admitted that he doesn't have the authority to say much since he doesn't know the entire case.

Prior to Bedi's statement, director Aditya Dhar had denied any connection between Dhurandhar and Major Mohit Sharma's life. He clarified that the film is a work of fiction and any resemblance to real-life events or people is purely coincidental.

Rakesh Bedi's role in Dhurandhar is that of a politician, which he says is inspired by a real-life politician from Pakistan. He also mentioned that his look in the film resembles the politician as well. Bedi added that he incorporated humor into his character, making him both "endearing and menacing".

Dhurandhar, directed, written, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar, features a star-studded cast, including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. The film reportedly draws inspiration from real-life events involving RAW and covert operations, including Operation Lyari, which targeted local gangs in Karachi, Pakistan.

The film has cleared the CBFC with an 'A' certificate and has a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes, making it the longest Bollywood film in nearly two decades. Dhurandhar has been filmed in locations including Thailand, Mumbai, Punjab and Ladakh.

Bedi has also shared updates on Dhurandhar 2, revealing that it is ready and expected to be released in a month or two. He hinted that his character would have a more prominent role in the sequel.

Dhurandhar opened in theaters on December 5, 2025, earning ₹5.92 crore on its first day across India.