From AI hoaxes to accidental "spoiler" leaks, here is the full investigation into the man behind the curtain.
The "Salman Khan" Shocker: Real Cameo or AI Trickery?
Earlier this month, social media exploded when images of Salman Khan in a sharp, "Godfather-esque" suit surfaced. The caption claimed he was confirmed as Bade Saab for the sequel.
The Verdict: FAKE. The Source: The images were created by AI artist Dev Pal (@devaimation). While the "Tiger" star looks menacing in the suit, the Khan family and director Aditya Dhar have confirmed that Salman is not part of the project. Salman is currently focused on his own 2026 mega-release, Battle of Galwan.
The "Letterboxd Leak": Did Emraan Hashmi Just Get Spoiled?
Just this morning, a "stray" entry on the film’s Letterboxd page sent shockwaves through the industry.
The Leak: The public film database briefly listed Emraan Hashmi among the principal cast members for Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
The Theory: Given Emraan’s recent streak of playing cold, calculating antagonists (like Aatish Qureshi in Tiger 3), fans are convinced he is the face of Bade Saab.
The Reality Check: Letterboxd is community-edited. While Emraan would be a "10/10" casting choice, the production team has not confirmed his involvement.
Dawood, Masood, or Major Iqbal? The Fan Conspiracy Theories
If it's not a superstar cameo, who is it? The internet has three main theories:
The Real-World Villain: A leaked credits screenshot shows Danish Iqbal playing "Dawood Ibrahim." Many believe Dawood is Bade Saab, though some argue the "big boss" should be an even more powerful political figure.
The Double Agent: A viral set photo of Sanjay Dutt (SP Aslam) and Arjun Rampal (Major Iqbal) has fans wondering if Rampal’s character is actually Bade Saab himself, pulling the strings from within the ISI.
The Shadow Boss: Some believe the reveal will be a massive "inside job" betrayal by a character we already trust—potentially even within the Indian IB.
Feature Details Release Date March 19, 2026 (Clashing with Yash’s Toxic) Confirmed Cast Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan. Big Returns Akshaye Khanna (Rehman Dakait) returns in "innovative flashbacks." Special Cameo Yami Gautam has reportedly shot for 5 days in a "crucial action role." Runtime 208 Minutes (3 hours 28 mins) — 6 minutes shorter than Part 1.
The Verdict
Aditya Dhar is known for keeping secrets (remember the "Bade Miyan" teaser at the end of Part 1?). Whether it’s a veteran like Emraan Hashmi or a completely fresh face, the identity of Bade Saab is being guarded like a state secret.
