- By Tanya Garg
- Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Dhurandhar, which opened in theaters on December 5, 2025. Ranveer Singh-led movie stars Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Akshaye Khanna. The spy thriller is based on real-life terrifying events like the 1999 hijacking of IC-814, the 2001 Parliament attack and 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Arjun Rampal, who will play the antagonist in Dhurandhar 2 is inspired by a real-life terrifying figure. He received a lot of attention for his brutal portrayal of Major Iqbal in the first part. The character would reportedly clash with Ranveer Singh's Hamza in sequel. Here's all about the dreaded terrorist influenced by Mohammed Ilyas Kashmiri.
Who Is Major Iqbal?
A scene in Dhurandhar depicted Major Saurabh Kalia's torture at the hands of the Pakistani Army while he was being held captive. Major Iqbal, played by Arjun Rampal, was the man who carried out the gory act. His role is said to have been influenced by Mohammed Ilyas Kashmiri, a former militant from Pakistan who became a terrorist.
Illyas Kashmiri was one of Pakistan's most feared militants who later became terrorists. It was during the Soviet war in Afghanistan that Ilyas educated the Afghan mujahideen rebels to handle bombs. He reportedly had a close relationship with Osama, the leader of al-Qaeda. According to a piece by David Ignatius, Osama reportedly requested him to organise an attack on Barack Obama.
(Image: X/@mysteriou_s1)
The 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2010 Pune explosion, Benazir Bhutto's assassination, and the murder of Ameer Faisal Alavi are just a few of the terror attacks that Ilyas has been linked to. He was the one who suggested the Mumbai strikes to the commanders of al-Qaeda.
(Image: X/@NostalgicDoon)
Is He Dead?
Ilyas was reportedly murdered in a US drone attack in 2011. He was reportedly seen several times and survived the attack, according to numerous rumors. Ilyas Kashmiri's death was confirmed on an audiotape in 2012 by Ustad Ahmad Farooq, the main spokesperson for Al Qaeda.
Dhurandhar 2
Unlike the first part, Dhurandhar 2 will release in five Indian languages on March 19, 2026. Dhurandhar is available in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil on Netflix India.
Dhurandhar 2 has a vast ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh (reprising his part as Hamza Ali Mazari/Jaskirat Singh Rangi), Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, and R. Madhavan as IB Chief Ajay Sanyal. Sara Arjun also makes a comeback, and rumors indicate that her part in the follow-up will be much increased.