Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal cried uncontrollably after shooting 26/11 Mumbai attacks scene in Dhurandhar, reveals R Madhavan

Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal cried uncontrollably after shooting 26/11 Mumbai attacks scene in Dhurandhar, reveals R Madhavan

• Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal broke down after a heavy scene
• Dhurandhar emotionally recreated the 26/11 Mumbai attacks
• Dhurandhar 2 sequel releases March 19 in multiple languages

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The intense recreation of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in Dhurandhar left more than just an impact on audiences. According to actor R Madhavan, the emotionally charged sequence deeply affected co-stars Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal, who broke down after filming a particularly heavy scene.

In a recent interaction with YouTuber Sonia Shenoy, Madhavan opened up about the atmosphere on set while shooting the sequence based on the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, recreated the tragic night as part of its gripping espionage narrative.

Madhavan revealed that what stayed with him was not just the filming itself, but what happened once the cameras stopped rolling. Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal, who portrayed Pakistani characters in the film, had just completed a scene where their on-screen personas were shown celebrating the attack.

“After that scene ended, they broke down completely. They cried uncontrollably,” Madhavan shared. He added that it was not just about performing scripted roles. The emotional weight of the real-life tragedy resurfaced for many on set.

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“It wasn’t just acting for them. They have lived through those times. They have seen real incidents like that. It brought back memories,” Madhavan said, describing the heavy silence that followed the take.

The actor further explained that the moment made him realise the significance of the project. For him, it reinforced that Dhurandhar was not just another thriller, but a film rooted in painful history and collective memory.

Released in cinemas on December 5, 2025, Dhurandhar created history at the box office, breaking multiple records. The film features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt.

The first installment introduced audiences to a high-stakes espionage saga following an Indian intelligence operative working undercover in Karachi. The story navigated criminal networks and political conspiracies to dismantle a terror group threatening India’s security.

The upcoming Dhurandhar 2 continues the narrative, with the central character now deeply embedded in Pakistan’s underworld. The sequel is set to release on March 19 in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

As anticipation builds for the next chapter, Madhavan’s revelations offer a glimpse into the emotional toll behind the making of such powerful cinema. For the cast, revisiting one of India’s darkest chapters was not simply a performance, but an experience that blurred the line between reel and real.