Dhurandhar casting director Mukesh Chhabra reveals why he did not cast popular actress in role of Yalina: ‘We needed a face that truly….’

Aditya Dhar has emerged as one of the most talked-about filmmakers recently, especially after delivering a massive commercial success in 2025 with his espionage drama Dhurandhar. Building on that momentum, he returned with its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which hit theatres on March 19 and went on to surpass expectations at the box office. The film has not only drawn huge crowds but has also received widespread praise for its intense action scenes and engaging narrative, further cementing Dhar’s position in the industry.

The movie features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Gaurav Gera. As audiences continue to respond enthusiastically, casting director Mukesh Chhabra has shed light on a key creative decision that caught many by surprise—the choice of a relatively fresh face, Sara Arjun, for the character of Yalina instead of a more established actress.

During a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Chhabra explained the reasoning behind this unconventional casting approach. He revealed that both he and the director were approached by numerous actresses expressing interest in starring opposite Ranveer Singh, given the film’s scale and visibility. However, the team deliberately chose to move away from familiar faces in order to preserve authenticity within the story.


According to Chhabra, the character required someone who would appear completely organic to the film’s setting, without any preconceived associations that audiences might carry from previous roles. Since the storyline involves Ranveer Singh’s character traveling into a different environment and forming a connection there, the presence of a well-known actress could have disrupted the illusion. The makers believed that an unfamiliar face would make the narrative more believable and immersive for viewers.

To achieve this, the casting team conducted an extensive search, auditioning a staggering number of performers. Chhabra disclosed that approximately 1,200 to 1,300 auditions were held before arriving at the final choice. Although Sara Arjun had prior experience as a child artist, she had not yet taken on a significant leading role in mainstream Hindi cinema, making her an ideal fit for the requirement of freshness.

The team was keen on introducing someone who would feel like a genuine discovery, allowing audiences to engage with the character without any bias. This careful selection process ultimately contributed to the film’s impact, as viewers were intrigued by the new presence on screen while staying fully invested in the storyline.