Was Dawood Ibrahim’s Original Picture Used in ‘Dhurandhar 2’? Actor Danish Iqbal Clarifies (Watch Video)

Following the release of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge, a major talking point among audiences has been the identity of the shadowy antagonist known as "Bade Sahab." The sequel confirms the character is based on underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, portrayed by actor Danish Iqbal. However, the reveal sparked a viral debate online regarding a specific photograph of the don seen in the film, with many fans questioning if the production had used an actual original picture of the brief. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Box Office Collection Day 14: Ranveer Singh’s Spy Thriller Crosses INR 920 Crore in India; Hits INR 1,466 Crore Globally.

Danish Iqbal Clarifies Dawood Ibrahim Photo Rumours - Watch Video

In a recent video interview with Kadak, Danish Iqbal clarified that the photograph in question is not an original image of Dawood Ibrahim, but a meticulously crafted recreation featuring himself in character. The actor revealed that the process of capturing that single shot took nearly three hours to ensure every detail matched the historical persona. "In that form, my make-up was done and the photo was recreated. It took about 2.5 to 3 hours to get that perfect angle, adjusting the hands, the spine, and the moustache," Iqbal explained. The goal was to create a likeness so striking that viewers would focus on the character rather than the actor behind the makeup.

Danish Iqbal Shares Post on Instagram - See Post

Danish Iqbal Kept in Dark About the Role Twist

Interestingly, Iqbal shared that even he was kept in the dark about the full scope of his role during the initial stages of production. While he was aware he was portraying Ibrahim the man held responsible for the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, he did not initially know his character was the overarching "Bade Sahab" figure teased in the first film. "The way everything was created... people forgot about which actor it was. They started focusing on the character itself," Iqbal noted, adding that he deliberately avoided watching previous cinematic portrayals of the don to keep his performance unique.

Danish Iqbal’s Notable Projects

Though Iqbal may not yet be a household name compared to his Dhurandhar co-stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, he is a seasoned performer with a strong body of work across films and OTT platforms. His filmography includes acclaimed projects such as Maharani, Aranyak, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, Bhakshak, and Haq, showcasing his versatility and experience in diverse roles. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Soundtrack Breakdown: From ‘Aari Aari’ to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwali, 7 Classic Songs Powering Ranveer Singh’s Action Sequel.

'Dhurandhar 2' Explores Hamza’s Rise

Dhurandhar: The Revenge follows the journey of Jaskirat Singh Rangi (played by Ranveer Singh), a man who transforms into covert operative Hamza Ali Mazari to infiltrate the Karachi underworld. The sequel specifically explores Mazari’s rise and the origins of the man behind the cover. Ibrahim has long been a subject of fascination for Indian filmmakers, having been portrayed by actors such as Vijay Maurya (Black Friday), Emraan Hashmi (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai), and Rishi Kapoor (D-Day). Iqbal’s portrayal adds to this cinematic lineage, focusing on a version of the character that emphasises the art over the persona.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2026 01:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).