Gaurav Gera reacts to being praised for his unrecognisable spy transformation in Dhurandhar; says, 'Sometimes an actor gets typecast and the audience doesn’t realise...'

Gaurav admitted that Dhurandhar offered him the chance he had been hoping for, an opportunity to break free from being typecast. Gaurav admitted that Dhurandhar offered him the chance he had been hoping for, an opportunity to break free from being typecast.

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar continues its blockbuster run, soaring past the Rs 150 crore mark in just five days, and earning acclaim not only for its gripping storyline but also for its standout performances.

While Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna have dominated conversations with their intense portrayals, it is Gaurav Gera who has emerged as one of the film’s biggest surprises. His unrecognisable transformation into Mohammad Aalam, a weary middle-aged juice seller from Lyari’s dense bylanes, has taken the internet by storm.

Stills of Gera as the grizzled character went viral shortly after the film’s release, leaving fans stunned and prompting many to ask, “Is this really Gaurav Gera?” Now, the actor, best known for his comedic brilliance and memorable stint in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, has finally responded to the praise.

Speaking to Zoom, Gaurav Gera revealed that he has been quietly observing the audience’s reactions online. “I’ve read online comments. They make me so happy, some even brought tears. It’s a lovely time and I’ve been waiting for it for so long,” he shared.

Gaurav admitted that Dhurandhar offered him the chance he had been hoping for, an opportunity to break free from being typecast. “After playing such varied characters including Chutki, I was waiting for an opportunity where I can show various shades of my craft. Sometimes an actor gets typecast and the audience doesn’t realise what he or she is capable of. Dhurandhar is such a film that allowed me to explore a side of me which viewers hadn’t seen until now,” he said.

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The actor also addressed the remarkable physical transformation he underwent for the role. “Of course, my character looked way older than how I look. In fact, people don’t realise my actual age. The film’s team even cut my hair shorter than usual. I sported a white beard, which in reality is white (laughs) due to all these years of makeup. But yeah, people finally saw the real me,” he joked.

Dhurandhar centres on Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, who orchestrates a dangerous mission to dismantle a terror network operating in Pakistan. Ranveer Singh delivers a gritty performance as a Punjabi youth recruited from prison and trained to infiltrate Karachi’s criminal underworld.

The film boasts a power-packed ensemble featuring Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan and Gaurav Gera. With its roaring success, the makers have already announced that Dhurandhar 2 will hit theatres on March 19, 2026.