Rakesh Bedi opens up about his character and what happens to him in the Dhurandhar’s sequel

Rakesh Bedi, 71, is getting praised for his role as Jameel Jamali, a cunning politician, in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar. This marks a departure from his usual comedic roles, and he's thrilled to have gotten the chance to play a complex character. In an interview, Bedi revealed that Jameel will take a darker turn in the sequel.

I also think they played well with people’s psyches with no over-the-top promotions before release. It was a good gimmick that paid off because the audience was left in suspense, he tells HT. Rakesh discusses his role, character development, the upcoming sequel, and the film's intensity.

How Rakesh landed in the role

Rakesh's appearance as an ISI agent in Aditya's debut film, "Uri: The Surgical Strike" (2019), led to a more significant role in Dhurandhar. Aditya called me last year to offer me the role of Jameel, who has so much more to him. He’s going to be worse in the sequel, and it 100% gave me the chance to do something different. I’m in seventh heaven, says the actor.

Somebody, at last, was trying to extract something else out of me. Aditya knew that in 50 years, there hadn’t been a month when I hadn’t performed on stage. He knew I had seen all colours of people in life to play this role that looks straight but isn’t. Jameel is cunning, scheming, sly… there are so many layers to him, tells the actor.

Working experience with Ranveer Singh

Rakesh also valued his experience working with Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Sara Arjun. I never met Ranveer before this film, but I have seen his work. He grew up seeing my shows and films and was really excited to work with me. Our scenes were filled with mutual consideration and respect, not just as actors, but people too,” says the actor, adding, “As for Akshaye, we discussed theatre and a lot of other things. Sara was in awe of everyone, but there’s an uncanny confidence about her.

Dhurandhar 2 latest update

"Dhurandhar 2" is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, and Rakesh teases more surprises in store. Despite fierce opposition from Rahman Dakait (Akshaye) and other political bigwigs, you’ve seen how Jameel has been able to place Hamza at the helm of affairs. Although now that he realises Hamza is working according to his fancy, he might pull his strings…he might pull the carpet also (laughs). I won’t tell you more than that, he chuckles.

Dhurandhar has received both praise and some criticism, particularly for its graphic violence, which includes scenes of torture such as hooks, crushing, and drowning. Did Ram kill Ravan without any violence? Now there’s a villain who’s fierce, and people are terrified of him, of course, there’ll be violence on both sides, na? reasons Rakesh, adding, You’re not telling a story, you’re showing it. If you’re basing it on real events, it can’t be wrapped up in a day.

Rakesh explains that "Dhurandhar" uses violence not to glorify it, but as a necessary element to convey the story. Vo kya seeti marne se mar jayega? (Can he be killed by a whistle?) One must understand that violence in the film serves a purpose. Even the way the villains kill their opponents in Lyari is scary. If you’re killing a man like that simply, what do you need Ranveer for? Mujhse hi marwa dete, main hi kar deta (Get him killed by me, I’d do it).

I’ve been working for more than 45 years now in this industry, and I’ve seen it go into slumber every four to five years. We start churning out the same kind of love stories or war films because so-and-so made it. And then the industry is anaesthetised. Dhurandhar has now held every filmmaker by the shoulder and shaken them physically. Get up, boss, and do something worthwhile, he concludes.