Mumbai, January 19, 2026: As fans continue to revel in the success of Dhurandhar, anticipation for its sequel is already building. The makers have promised that Dhurandhar 2 will explore the rise of Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza, in Pakistan’s underworld, while offering glimpses into Akshaye Khanna’s backstory and showcasing R. Madhavan in a pivotal role. Ahead of the film’s teaser, which will be attached to the release of Border 2 on January 23, Bollywood veteran Suniel Shetty has weighed in on the original film, praising the performances, direction, and storytelling.

Suniel Shetty, who is set to make a cameo in Dhurandhar 2 alongside his son Ahan Shetty, shared his thoughts in a conversation with NDTV. He lavished praise on the film’s director, Aditya Dhar, noting how the filmmaker skillfully leaned into long-form storytelling in a cinematic era dominated by shorter OTT content. “He realised that people are used to OTT, so he said, you want OTT? I’ll give it to you on a larger screen. I’ll give you four hours on the big screen, and people lapped it up,” Shetty said, acknowledging Dhar’s confidence in holding audiences’ attention over an extended runtime.

Star Performances That Stole the Show

Discussing the performances in Dhurandhar, Shetty reserved particular praise for Akshaye Khanna, describing him as “ten on ten” and “a fantastic actor.” He emphasized that Khanna brought depth and nuance to his role, giving audiences a performance that was both powerful and memorable. “Akshaye is brilliant,” Shetty said, “but Ranveer was restrained. He held back, and that’s the most difficult thing to do.”

It was Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Hamza, however, that earned Shetty’s highest accolades. The actor described Ranveer’s performance as “100 out of 10” and “all the way,” underlining the intensity and subtlety he brought to a character navigating complex emotions and a high-stakes environment. Shetty explained that while playing a jingoistic hero in one’s own country might be straightforward, portraying a character yearning for his homeland while operating in another country is far more challenging. “Showing jingoism as a hero is easy and the audience believes it. But sitting back in another country, yearning for your motherland and wanting to do something, that’s very tough,” he noted.

Anticipation for Dhurandhar 2

The original film’s success, combined with the stellar performances of its leads, has created significant excitement for the sequel. Suniel Shetty, reflecting on what lies ahead, shared his eagerness to witness Ranveer reprise the role of Hamza. “I can only imagine him in Dhurandhar 2. Legendary. Legendary. Hats off to the kid. Phenomenal,” he said, emphasizing that audiences are in for a cinematic treat.

Fans of the franchise will also get a deeper dive into Akshaye Khanna’s character through flashback sequences in the sequel. The narrative promises to intertwine multiple storylines, including R. Madhavan taking center stage in a key role, ensuring that Dhurandhar 2 will expand on the universe created in the first film while introducing new dimensions to familiar characters.

Sequel Release and Box Office Clash

Dhurandhar 2 is slated for release later this year and is expected to face stiff competition at the box office. It will clash with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, starring Rocking Star Yash, which is scheduled to release on March 19. Industry insiders suggest that both films are likely to draw significant audiences, making the box office performance a closely watched battle for fans and trade analysts alike.

Aditya Dhar’s Vision and Long-Form Storytelling

Suniel Shetty’s comments also highlighted Aditya Dhar’s unique approach to cinematic storytelling. By embracing a four-hour runtime, Dhar challenged conventional expectations of mainstream Indian cinema and leveraged the big screen to deliver an OTT-style experience with cinematic depth. According to Shetty, this approach allowed audiences to engage fully with the narrative, invest emotionally in the characters, and appreciate the intricacies of the plot.

“The director understood the pulse of today’s audience,” Shetty said. “He gave them the content and allowed them to experience it on a larger-than-life scale. That’s the brilliance of his vision. It’s not easy to hold attention for four hours, but he made it immersive.”

The Ensemble Cast and Behind-the-Scenes Team

Beyond the lead actors, Shetty praised the entire team behind Dhurandhar, acknowledging their contributions to the film’s success. He emphasized that the performances, technical excellence, and meticulous attention to detail were key factors in the film resonating with audiences. The cinematography, production design, and score all worked in harmony to create a cinematic experience that felt both grand and emotionally engaging.

Suniel’s admiration extended to the coordination and dedication of the cast and crew, including stunt teams, costume designers, and supporting actors. “The team worked seamlessly to bring this story to life. You can feel the dedication in every frame,” he remarked.

The Legacy of Dhurandhar and Impact on Bollywood

Since its release, Dhurandhar has been praised for redefining the scale and scope of mainstream Indian action dramas. The film’s success has been attributed not only to its gripping storyline but also to the caliber of performances delivered by its stars. With Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna leading the charge, supported by a skilled ensemble and visionary director, the film managed to blend intense action sequences with deeply human moments of longing, ambition, and conflict.

Industry observers note that the film has set a new benchmark for Indian action cinema, particularly in terms of character depth and long-form storytelling. Its sequel is expected to build on this foundation, expanding the narrative universe while introducing new characters and plotlines that promise to engage audiences on multiple levels.

Looking Ahead: Expectations from the Sequel

With Dhurandhar 2, fans are eager to explore Hamza’s further journey in Pakistan’s underworld, witness Akshaye Khanna’s life story unfold in flashbacks, and see R. Madhavan’s character take on new challenges. The sequel is expected to maintain the original’s intensity while introducing fresh twists, making it a highly anticipated release in 2026.

Suniel Shetty’s glowing review of the original film and his excitement for the sequel underscore the buzz surrounding the franchise. As an industry veteran, his endorsement carries weight, and his praise for Ranveer Singh in particular highlights the actor’s rising stature as a versatile and committed performer capable of handling nuanced roles in large-scale productions.

Conclusion

Dhurandhar has firmly established itself as a landmark in Indian action cinema, and Suniel Shetty’s reflections underscore why. From Ranveer Singh’s restrained and powerful performance to Akshaye Khanna’s brilliance and the meticulous craftsmanship of director Aditya Dhar and the entire team, the film has captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike.

With the sequel set to explore uncharted aspects of the characters’ journeys, expand the narrative universe, and continue delivering high-octane action and emotional depth, expectations are high. Suniel Shetty’s excitement and praise signal that Dhurandhar 2 will not only honor the legacy of the first film but also raise the bar for storytelling, performances, and cinematic vision in contemporary Bollywood.

For fans of Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Indian action cinema, the coming months promise a thrilling cinematic experience as the Dhurandhar saga continues to unfold.