The blockbuster period spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, continues to shatter box office records. As fans engage in multiple viewings, they are dissecting every frame for hidden clues and Easter eggs. One of the most exciting discoveries revolves around the film's background score, particularly a piece used in the climactic sequence that has sparked a wave of nostalgia and admiration.
The Knight Rider Connection Unveiled
In the film's climax, a groovy and intriguing background score plays as Ranveer Singh's character is selected for a covert mission in Pakistan. This scene also offers glimpses of his backstory and teases his new look for the sequel. Initially, some eagle-eared fans speculated that composer Shashwat Sachdev had borrowed from American singer Doja Cat's recent track "AAAHH MEN!". However, the true inspiration is decades older and far more iconic.
The mystery was solved when popular singer and rapper Badshah took to social media platform X. He tweeted, "Why is no one talking about the knight rider theme in the end credits scene of dhurandhar?" This revelation clarified that the score is a deliberate homage to the opening theme of Glen A. Larson's beloved 1980s American action crime TV series, Knight Rider.
Badshah's Praise and a Nerdy Masterstroke
Badshah didn't stop at just identifying the reference. He went on to heap praise on director Aditya Dhar, calling him a "geeky genius" for this clever inclusion. The choice is indeed a nerdy and brilliant touch, given the thematic parallels between the show and the film.
In Knight Rider, police detective Michael Long survives an attack, undergoes plastic surgery, and assumes the new identity of Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) to work as a field agent for a secret justice organization. Similarly, in Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh's character is recruited by R. Madhavan's Intelligence Bureau chief to infiltrate a Pakistani terror network under the new alias of Hamza Ali Mazari.
The "Knight Rider Theme" was originally composed by Larson and Stu Phillips, with parts of it tracing back to a 19th-century classical ballet by Leo Delibes. The show, which aired from 1982 to 1986, has achieved cult status over the years, making its recognition a delightful surprise for many fans.
Looking Ahead to Dhurandhar Part 2
The first part of the film chronicles the protagonist's rise within a terror hierarchy in Pakistan. The sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2, is slated for release on March 19, 2026, and promises to focus on his mission of revenge. The climax music, with its nostalgic callback, not only enhances the scene but also subtly reinforces the theme of transformation and assuming a new identity for a greater cause—a perfect blend of cinematic storytelling and pop culture reverence.
This discovery has added another layer to the audience's appreciation of Aditya Dhar's meticulous craft, proving that in the world of Dhurandhar, even the background score is packed with meaning and clever references waiting to be uncovered.
