Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar defied conventional wisdom at the box office with its sprawling runtime of over three-and-a-half hours. Instead of turning audiences away, the film’s length was met with surprising acceptance, even enthusiasm. But as viewers soon realised, the marathon narrative was only the first half of a much larger political and espionage saga. With Dhurandhar 2 slated for release in March, the story is poised to dive deeper into its unresolved conflicts and shadowy power structures.
The sequel has already been filmed and is currently in post-production. While the first instalment revealed several crucial plot threads, it also left behind a trail of unanswered questions, deliberately holding back key revelations for the second chapter.
Who Is ‘Bade Sahab’? The Biggest Mystery Yet
One of the most anticipated elements of Dhurandhar 2 is the introduction of ‘Bade Sahab’, a powerful figure repeatedly mentioned but never revealed in the first film. Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam, often refers to him as the man pulling the strings from behind the scenes, particularly after Aslam’s suspension from the police force.
Though the film confirms that ‘Bade Sahab’ is a major force operating out of Pakistan, his true identity remains hidden, fuelling intense speculation among fans.
Fan Theory 1: Is Dawood Ibrahim The Man Behind the Curtain?
The most popular theory circulating online suggests that ‘Bade Sahab’ could be Dawood Ibrahim. This speculation gained momentum when viewers noticed that the film’s cast list includes the character of Dawood Ibrahim, portrayed by actor Danish Iqbal.
Fans believe Dawood may have appeared briefly in the first part, possibly for mere seconds, with a more substantial role reserved for the sequel. If true, Dhurandhar 2 could explore the nexus between organised crime, terrorism, and state machinery at a much deeper level.
Fan Theory 2: Could Masood Azhar Be ‘Bade Sahab’?
Another compelling theory links ‘Bade Sahab’ to Masood Azhar. The opening sequence of Dhurandhar revisits the IC814 hijacking in Kandahar, with R Madhavan’s Ajay Sanyal negotiating the release of Indian hostages. Historically, this negotiation led to the release of Masood Azhar, along with Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.
If Masood Azhar is indeed the unseen mastermind, it would provide a chilling throughline connecting the hijacking, later terror operations, and the broader geopolitical tensions depicted in the film.
Fan Theory 3: Osama bin Laden As The Ultimate Puppet Master?
A third, more global theory posits that Osama bin Laden could be the figure orchestrating events from the shadows. Given that Dhurandhar operates within a timeline where Osama is still alive, the idea isn’t entirely implausible.
While the film offers no explicit hints pointing in this direction, the scale of the terror network portrayed leaves room for such an interpretation, especially if the sequel aims to widen its geopolitical canvas.
Dhurandhar 2 Runtime And Release Date
If the first film’s length raised eyebrows, the sequel appears unlikely to be any shorter. Actor Danish Pandor, who plays Uzair Baloch, revealed that filming wrapped up in October after beginning in July 2024. In effect, Aditya Dhar has shot close to seven hours of footage across both parts within a span of roughly 16 months.
Speaking about the runtime, Pandor stated that the sequel would likely match the first film’s duration, adding that the material was too rich to trim down. Dhurandhar 2 is set to hit theatres on March 19, 2026, where it will face a box office clash with Yash’s Toxic.
With its unresolved mysteries and ambitious scope, the sequel promises to push the franchise further into darker, more complex territory.
