Arjun Rampal Reflects on Filming 26/11 Terror Attack Scene in 'Dhurandhar'
Arjun Rampal, who plays ISI officer Major Iqbal in the recently released spy thriller Dhurandhar, has described filming a sequence related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks as the most challenging moment of his career. The Aditya Dhar directorial, which hit theaters on December 5, 2025, has been garnering attention for its gripping narrative and stellar cast, including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan.
Dhurandhar is inspired by real-life events involving geopolitical tensions and covert operations. The film is set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. It revolves around a covert operation to dismantle a terror network operating out of Pakistan. Ranveer Singh plays Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover officer navigating the criminal underworld of Karachi. Arjun Rampal's character, Major Iqbal, is reportedly based on Pakistani militant Ilyas Kashmiri.
The specific scene that Rampal found particularly difficult to film involved his character and other antagonists celebrating the tragic events of the 26/11 attacks as they unfolded. This sequence, dubbed the "Red Screen scene" by viewers, has become a major talking point due to its unsettling and poignant filmmaking. Director Aditya Dhar pauses the film to display actual transcripts of conversations between the 26/11 attackers and their ISI handlers on a stark red screen. These transcripts, coupled with visuals of a burning Mumbai and chants from the antagonists, create a deeply disturbing and impactful moment.
Rampal revealed that channeling a celebratory demeanor while depicting one of Mumbai's darkest days was profoundly difficult. The emotional toll of enacting such a scene was unimaginable. Many of the actors involved in the scene are Mumbaikars, which added another layer of emotional complexity to the process. In the scene, Ranveer Singh's character, Hamza Ali Mazari, is shell-shocked as the characters of Arjun, Akshaye Khanna and others celebrate the Mumbai terrorist attack.
Despite having filmed numerous gritty and violent moments for the espionage thriller, Rampal considered this particular sequence the hardest. The dedication of the cast to portray such complex and often disturbing characters has been a key factor in the film's success, leaving audiences deeply impacted.
Dhurandhar has received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of the cast, direction, cinematography, and world-building. The film has also been commended for its realistic depiction of espionage and its inspiration from real-life events.
The film has already broken box office records, securing its place as one of the highest openers of the year. Dhurandhar has earned ₹152 crore globally in its opening weekend. A sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2, is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026. The first part of the franchise is set to make its online debut on Netflix starting January 30, 2026.
