The cinematic universe of Aditya Dhar's ambitious film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has left audiences with a tantalizing mystery. The first part of this epic saga, which concluded after a sprawling three-and-a-half-hour runtime, introduced a shadowy figure referred to only as 'Bade Sahab'. This enigmatic character, mentioned by Sanjay Dutt's suspended police officer Chaudhry Aslam, is portrayed as a powerful player based in Pakistan, pulling strings from behind the scenes. With the identity deliberately kept under wraps, fan theories are running wild across social media platforms, speculating on which real-world infamous figure this could be.
Top Fan Theories: Who is Pulling the Strings?
Online forums, especially Reddit and Twitter, are buzzing with debates about the true identity of 'Bade Sahab'. The film's narrative and casting choices have provided several clues, leading to three primary suspects in the eyes of the fans.
The most prominent theory points towards the notorious underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. This speculation gained significant traction when the film's cast list revealed that actor Danish Iqbal is portraying Dawood Ibrahim. While his appearance in the first part might have been brief or even cameo-like, fans strongly believe he is being set up for a more substantial role in the sequel. The character's described influence and Pakistani connections align with Dawood's alleged profile.
Masood Azhar: The Kandahar Connection
Another compelling theory links 'Bade Sahab' to the founder of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, Masood Azhar. The film opens with a sequence depicting the harrowing IC814 Kandahar hijacking, where R Madhavan's character, Ajay Sanyal, is shown negotiating with terrorists. Historically, this crisis led to the Indian government's release of Masood Azhar and two other militants. Fans argue that making Azhar the mastermind would neatly tie the film's opening historical event to the ongoing narrative, creating a cohesive terror saga spanning the subcontinent.
A third, albeit less supported, theory suggests the involvement of Osama Bin Laden. Given the film's timeline, which is set before 2011, the Al-Qaeda leader was still alive. While no direct hints are dropped in Part 1, theorists propose that the scale of operations hinted at could point to a figure of Bin Laden's global infamy, orchestrating terror activities across regional borders.
Dhurandhar Part 2: What We Know So Far
The mystery of 'Bade Sahab' is firmly slated to be addressed in the sequel, Dhurandhar 2. The film has already been shot, with production wrapping up in October after a 16-month schedule that began in July 2024. Actor Danish Pandor, who plays Uzair Baloch, confirmed that the team has shot approximately seven hours of footage for both parts combined.
When asked about the runtime of the upcoming second part, Pandor indicated it would be similar to the first, stating, "It is almost going to be the same because the content is so beautiful. There is no way it can be cut." This suggests audiences can expect another immersive, long-format cinematic experience. The sequel is locked for a major release on March 19, 2026, where it will face a box office clash with the Yash-starrer Toxic.
The first part established a vast array of characters, some of whom, like Akshaye Khanna's Rehman Dakait, met their end. The sequel promises to introduce new players while unraveling the fate of others. The central question, however, remains the reveal of 'Bade Sahab', a reveal that will undoubtedly shape the climax of this two-part historical action thriller.
