Dhurandhar true story: Know everything about Major Mohit Sharma who turned fake terrorist for undercover mission, whose journey may allegedly feature in Ranveer Singh starrer

Dhurandhar true story: Know everything about Major Mohit Sharma who turned fake terrorist for undercover mission, whose journey may allegedly feature in Ranveer Singh starrer

Ranveer Singh’s return to the big screen with Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has set off a wave of speculation, curiosity and fierce online debate. The high-voltage trailer, packed with gunfire, ambushes and covert missions, hints at a narrative steeped in real events.

And while the makers have kept the story under lock and key, one name keeps resurfacing in conversations across social media: Major Mohit Sharma.

Reports are still unconfirmed, but many believe Ranveer’s character draws inspiration from the decorated Para SF officer whose undercover operations have become part of military folklore. Here’s a closer look at the remarkable life of the man at the centre of all the buzz.

Who Was Major Mohit Sharma?

Major Mohit Sharma belonged to the elite 1 Para (Special Forces) unit of the Indian Army, a group trained for the toughest, most covert and high-risk missions. Born in Rohtak, Haryana, he grew up with a dream of serving the nation and followed that path with discipline and single-minded focus.

He graduated from the National Defence Academy and later trained at the Indian Military Academy, earning the training officers’ praise for his leadership, clarity under fire and iron-willed calm. Colleagues often described him as the man who would volunteer first, fight hardest and never back away from a challenge.

His journey through the elite ranks of the Para SF is remembered for one reason: he rarely chose easy operations. Instead, he became the go-to officer for missions that needed precision, disguise and nerves of steel.

The Undercover Masterstroke: Becoming ‘Iftikhar Bhatt’

One of Major Mohit Sharma’s most daring assignments took place in 2004 in Shopian, around 50 kilometres south of Srinagar. It was here that he took on the secret identity of Iftikhar Bhatt, a man supposedly seeking revenge against the Indian Army for killing his brother.

He changed everything about himself — his clothes, his appearance, his manner of speaking — until even locals believed he was someone else.

With long hair, a heavy beard and an entirely rewritten personal history, he infiltrated the Hizbul Mujahideen terror network from the inside.

For months, he lived among the men he was tasked with eliminating. He gained their trust, understood their hierarchy, studied their routes, camps, safe houses and movements. It was an operation that demanded patience, discipline and the ability to switch between identities without a slip.

The ruse eventually cracked. The day his cover was blown, a deadly encounter broke out. Despite being attacked, Major Mohit Sharma neutralised two top terrorists, Abu Torara and Abu Sabzar, marking one of the most successful undercover eliminations by Indian forces in the Valley.

The Final Mission in Kupwara

Five years later, in March 2009, Major Mohit Sharma was a part of another intense operation in Kupwara district. It was a dense forest region, known for infiltration routes and unpredictable combat.

During the mission, he was hit by enemy fire. Even while critically injured, he continued leading his team from the front and killed four terrorists in close-range combat. His actions saved the lives of several fellow soldiers.

He succumbed to his injuries, and the nation lost one of its finest covert operatives.

For his exceptional bravery, presence of mind and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour.

Why Dhurandhar Fans Believe Ranveer Singh Plays Him

The Dhurandhar trailer features covert operations, deep-cover missions and moments that mirror real counter-terror work. The presence of R. Madhavan in a role believed to be based on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval added fuel to the speculation.

Fans on Reddit and X pointed out similarities between Ranveer’s look in the trailer and accounts of Major Sharma’s covert operations. Nothing is confirmed yet. Neither Aditya Dhar nor the production team has acknowledged the inspiration, keeping the suspense alive.

Given Dhar’s reputation for fusing real military strategy with gripping drama — as seen in Uri — the theories refuse to slow down.

A Story Waiting to Be Told

Whether Dhurandhar is directly based on Major Mohit Sharma or simply inspired by multiple real events remains to be seen. But the spotlight on this extraordinary officer has brought renewed attention to his courage and sacrifice.

As the film gears up for release, audiences will walk into theatres with one question lingering in their minds: Will Ranveer Singh bring the story of India’s undercover hero back to life on screen?

Either way, the legend of Major Mohit Sharma continues to grow, carried forward by a generation discovering the man behind the uniform.