Who is ‘Bade Sahab’ in Dhurandhar 2? Not Salman Khan or Emraan Hashmi, but a popular NSD actor who plays major role in Ranveer Singh's movie

Ever since Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar hit theatres, fans have been intrigued by the identity of ‘Bade Sahab’, a mysterious figure mentioned in Hamza Ali Mazari’s (played by Ranveer Singh) diary with a question mark. The curiosity only grew stronger with time, sparking widespread speculation online. Now, with Dhurandhar: The Revenge releasing on March 19 and special paid previews held a day earlier on March 18, audiences finally have their answers. Contrary to rumours linking the role to big stars like Salman Khan and Emraan Hashmi, reports suggest that the character is played by a well-known National School of Drama (NSD) actor.

Who is ‘Bade Sahab’ in Dhurandhar 2?

The speculation around ‘Bade Sahab’ had reached a fever pitch ahead of the sequel’s release. Many believed a superstar cameo was on the cards, but early reviews and social media reactions indicate otherwise. The role has been essayed by Danish Iqbal, an accomplished theatre performer and screen actor.






In the film, ‘Bade Sahab’ is not just another supporting character but is said to be the central antagonist and the mastermind behind the story’s events. The character plays a crucial role in shaping Hamza’s journey. According to early reactions circulating online and Live Mint report, ‘Bade Sahab’ is believed to be inspired by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The makers are yet to confirm, but the actor is sharing glimpses on his social media of Dhurandhar 2.

Danish Iqbal’s education and career

Danish Iqbal may not be a mainstream Bollywood name yet, but he brings with him years of experience and strong credentials. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National School of Drama, where he completed his postgraduate diploma in acting. He further honed his craft with a master’s degree in Classical Acting from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.


Over the years, Danish Iqbal has built a solid reputation in theatre and digital content. He gained recognition for his role as Dilshad Mirza in Maharani 2 and has appeared in several notable projects such as Aranyak, Faraaz, Aakhri Sach, and Bhakshak. He was also recently seen in Sankalp.

Casting Danish Iqbal as ‘Bade Sahab’ instead of a mainstream superstar appears to be a deliberate move by the makers.

With Dhurandhar: The Revenge now in theatres, it remains to be seen how audiences respond to this unexpected casting and the character’s role in the larger narrative. Besides Ranveer Singh, the film features an ensemble cast, including Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor and R Madhavan in key roles. Stay tuned!