Dhurandhar: R Madhavan Immediately Signed Film; Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt And Arjun Rampal Were Hesitant

Dhurandhar Casting Secrets: R Madhavan Said Yes Immediately, Khanna, Dutt & Rampal Took Time

Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal were initially hesitant to sign Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, but R Madhavan immediately came on board. The film, now a cultural phenomenon, owes much of its success to its stellar ensemble cast, brought together by casting director Mukesh Chhabra.

On The Right Angle, Chhabra revealed, “Initially, even Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Akshaye Khanna were unsure. Only R Madhavan said yes. For the others, it took time. Aditya and I considered many options and honestly, we never imagined casting so many big stars at once.”

He added, “We had a different kind of actors in mind originally. But I pushed Aditya to think bigger. Gradually, everything fell into place.”

Chhabra also highlighted why big actors were cautious: “Madhavan and Arjun were on set for just 12 days. Most actors worry about screen time, but here, impact mattered more. Look at Madhavan—his short schedule delivered enormous impact.”

From critics to fans, Dhurandhar continues to dominate conversations, trend on social media, break box office records, and receive praise for its mix of fresh talent and seasoned performers. The casting choices, Chhabra says, were key to making the film resonate so strongly with audiences.