Veteran powerhouse Anil Kapoor recently dropped a massive bombshell, revealing that he was actually offered a special cameo in the Ranveer Singh starrer, but had to gracefully turn it down.
Here is the complete breakdown of why the Subedaar actor rejected the role, his strict rules on professionalism, and the massive internet rumour about which character he was actually supposed to play!
The Revelation: "Professionalism Over Everything" 🎬
The Confession: Speaking at the India Today Conclave Delhi 2026 yesterday, Anil Kapoor opened up about his career longevity and dropped the Dhurandhar scoop. He confirmed, "Yes, Aditya came to me for Dhurandhar 2. He wanted me to do a small cameo in the film."
The Reason: Despite wanting to be part of the ₹1000-crore franchise, Kapoor had to say no because of scheduling conflicts. "At that time, I had already committed those dates to another filmmaker. I told Aditya, 'I would have loved to do this cameo, but I'm already committed,'" he explained.
The 'Ageless Rebel' Rule: Kapoor emphasised that talent alone doesn't guarantee a four-decade-long career. He stated that cancelling pre-committed dates just because a bigger director comes along is "completely unprofessional." He graciously added, "He is releasing the film now, and it's a fantastic film. It's my loss, but it's okay."
The Internet's Verdict: Was He 'Bade Sahab'? 🕵️♂️
While Anil Kapoor kept the exact nature of the cameo a secret, internet sleuths immediately went into overdrive!
The Mystery Villain: In the first Dhurandhar (2025), Sanjay Dutt’s character repeatedly mentions a mysterious, supreme antagonist pulling the strings in Pakistan, referred to only as 'Bade Sahab'.
The Fan Theory: Fans are currently flooding social media with the theory that Aditya Dhar originally wanted Anil Kapoor's unmatched swagger for the 'Bade Sahab' role! Since Kapoor had to turn it down, strong rumours now suggest that Emraan Hashmi has stepped into the villainous shoes.
What's Next for the Jhakaas Star? 🌟
Even without the Dhurandhar cameo, Anil Kapoor is currently dominating the streaming space. He is receiving rave reviews for his gritty performance as a retired military man navigating civilian life in Suresh Triveni’s Subedaar, which premiered on Prime Video earlier this month. When asked if he would join Dhurandhar 3 in the future, Kapoor playfully hinted that he would rather "do something new."
SantaBanta Verdict:
You have to tip your hat to Anil Kapoor! In an industry where stars regularly jump ship for bigger banners and box office numbers, his fierce loyalty to his committed dates is exactly why he has survived and thrived for over 40 years. While it would have been an absolute cinematic treat to see him face off against Ranveer Singh, we can only hope he and Aditya Dhar collaborate on a brand new project soon!
