R. Madhavan Recalls Emotional 26/11 Scene in Dhurandhar
R. Madhavan described his emotional response to filming a 26/11 sequence in Dhurandhar because it became his most emotionally intense moment throughout his career. He explained that multiple actors experienced complete emotional breakdowns during the filming of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack scene which they needed to take a break from because they could not regain their composure after the director called โcut.โ
Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal Broke Down
Madhavan specifically spoke about co-stars Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal, who experienced extreme emotional distress after they completed their work on the intense scene. In a conversation with Sonia Shenoy, he said both actors “broke down completely” once the cameras stopped rolling.
Madhavan explained that the actors emotional breakdown occurred after they finished their performance because they understood the seriousness of their theatrical work. He described the atmosphere on set as tense and heavy, noting that their tears reflected genuine emotional investment rather than
Recreating One of Indiaโs Darkest Nights
The sequence recreates the night of November 26, 2008 which stands as one of the most tragic periods in modern Indian history. Ten terrorists carried out coordinated attacks across Mumbai which targeted the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel the Oberoi Trident Hotel CST railway station and Nariman House. The attacks continued for almost three days and resulted in more than 160 deaths while many others sustained injuries.
Madhavan explained that actors in that film needed to experience actual events from the past because these events served as their personal contact with a national disaster which had affected the country.
Sensitive Handling of a Real Tragedy
The team dealt with the actual tragedy through sensitive handling methods. The filmmakers chose to present the tragic events through authentic methods which honored the memory of the victims and their families.
The cast dedicated their time to learning about both the emotional aspects and historical background of the scene before they started to perform it. The preparation process increased the intensity of the performance but it also required the actor to deal with more intense emotional struggles. Madhavan used his uncontrollable tears which came after filming to demonstrate that the film contained more profound significance than a standard action movie.
The Film and Its Impact
Aditya Dhar directed the movie Dhurandhar which released in December 2025 and became one of the most successful Hindi films of that year. The film combines espionage thriller elements with actual historical events and stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt.
The story follows an undercover Indian intelligence operative who uses his skills to navigate both criminal organizations and political groups for the purpose of destroying a terrorist operation that endangers national security.
In the 26/11 sequence Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal play Pakistani characters who celebrate the attacks while Ranveer Singh performs his role as an undercover agent who must stay quiet about the horrifying events that he sees. Madhavan described his experience of filming morally complicated scenes as a process that became emotionally taxing to him after he completed shooting.
Audience Reactions and Sequel Plans
The film adaptation of 26/11 creates strong responses from both audiences and survivor who witnessed the events, with some viewers describing particular scenes as “bone chilling” because of their authentic portrayal. The film Dhurandhar achieved both emotional success and commercial triumph which established new box office records that persisted even after it became available through digital platforms.
The success has paved the way for Dhurandhar 2, with Aditya Dhar returning as writer-director. The sequel is expected to continue the espionage storyline and expand the narrative further.
Madhavan identifies his most significant memory from the 26/11 scene when his co-stars cried because the scene showed their grief. The film demonstrates how authentic and compassionate storytelling can help people reconnect through their common experience of mourning while it honors those who endured pain.
