Actor Arjun Rampal recently shared his traumatic experience of witnessing the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks on his birthday. He revealed that his role in the film "Dhurandhar" became a personal "revenge" for the horrors he endured that night. Rampal made these emotional statements at the Hello! Hall of Fame Awards in Mumbai.[indianexpress+2]
A Birthday Night Turned Nightmare
On November 26, 2008, Arjun Rampal was celebrating his 36th birthday in Mumbai. He and his friends planned to go to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for celebrations.However, they made a stop at another luxury hotel, the Four Seasons in Worli, where some friends were staying.As they ordered their first drinks at the bar, a loud explosion rocked the city near Mahim, rattling the hotel's glass.[indianexpress+8]
Rampal and his friends initially thought a gang war had erupted in Colaba.Within 20 to 30 minutes, the entire Four Seasons hotel was cordoned off.Hotel management advised guests to stay indoors for safety.Rampal spent his birthday night witnessing the unfolding horrors of the 26/11 attacks.He recalled, "On my birthday, I saw the horrors of 26/11 play out."The next morning, as he drove home, he felt physically unwell, stopping multiple times because he thought he would be sick.This deeply unsettling experience stayed with him for years.[indianexpress+20]
Dhurandhar: A Personal Retribution
Years after the attacks, director Aditya Dhar approached Arjun Rampal with the script for "Dhurandhar." The film included a pivotal sequence depicting the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.Rampal immediately connected with the material, seeing it as an opportunity to confront his past trauma.He stated, "When Aditya Dhar narrated the 26/11 sequence to me, I knew I was going to have my revenge, and that's what I did with Dhurandhar."[indianexpress+8]
For Rampal, taking on the role felt like a form of emotional closure.He described working on the film as a deeply personal response to the tragedy he witnessed.The project allowed him to channel his emotions into his performance.This intense process was also cathartic for the actor.He ended his emotional speech by saying, "All I want to say is, Bharat Mata Ki Jai."[businesstoday+8]
Portraying Major Iqbal
In "Dhurandhar," Arjun Rampal portrays Major Iqbal, a fictional mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.His character is depicted as an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief in Pakistan, who is seen celebrating the live broadcast of the attacks.Major Iqbal's character is reportedly inspired by the Pakistani militant Ilyas Kashmiri, a senior commander of Al-Qaeda.Kashmiri was accused of involvement in numerous terrorist attacks and assassinations before his death in a US drone strike in 2011.[indianexpress+7]
The film "Dhurandhar" is a Hindi-language spy action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar.It features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun.The first installment of the duology was released on December 5, 2025.Its sequel, "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge," released earlier in March 2026.The storyline draws inspiration from various real-life geopolitical events, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.The film has been praised for its performances and depiction of espionage.[en+12]
The success of "Dhurandhar" and its sequel has resonated with audiences.For Arjun Rampal, the film held a significance beyond its box office performance.It became a powerful medium for him to process and express the profound impact of witnessing one of India's darkest days.[timesofindia+4]
