Dhurandhar continues to be a box office success, showing no signs of slowing down since its release on December 5. The film has created box office history by grossing Rs 350 crore in just 10 days. Yet its lead pair, 40-year-old Ranveer Singh and 20-year-old Sara Arjun, have long been the subject of online controversy over their 20-year age gap.
However, Dhurandhar has come under fire even before its release, with discussions about the age gap starting soon after the release of the film’s first-look teaser. While some viewers supported the actors, others questioned the creative decision. But then the film got made, and Ranveer and Sara’s effortless chemistry worked wonders, silencing critics. As the film’s success continues, the makers have finally addressed the controversy and clarified why the age gap was deliberately chosen.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra recently discussed the 20-year age gap between Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun, explaining why it matters for the film. He hinted that the logic will become clearer with the release of Dhurandhar 2.
The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan in lead roles.
Mukesh Chhabra reveals why Sara Arjun was chosen opposite Ranveer Singh
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, in a recent talk with The Free Press Journal, explained that castings are closely linked to the story of the film. According to him, the story required a much younger female character, and the age difference plays a significant role in the story. While he decided not to reveal detailed spoilers, Mukesh hinted that the reasoning would be clearer a year after the release of Dhurandhar 2.
The casting director also said that around 1,300 girls were auditioned before finalizing why Sara Arjun was chosen for the role. He said that the team was keen on surprise casting and wanted a completely fresh face. Although Sara has worked as a child artist before, Chhabra feels that she brings new energy to the character.
Mukesh Chhabra explained that Ranveer Singh’s character was written as a person who tries to trap Sara Arjun’s character, making her age a central part of the story. He added that the team was fully aware that discussions would begin regarding the casting choice but remained firm on the decision.
Having worked with Sara over the years, he said he has seen her grow as an actress. During the audition process, he noticed depth and talent beyond her innocent looks. Chhabra said that the audience will get to see her stronger performance in Dhurandhar 2, where her character arc will be expanded further.
He also noted that there is no dearth of talented actors in the 26-27-year-old range, but casting an older actor would have diminished the impact of their story.
How was Akshaye Khanna selected in Dhurandhar? Mukesh Chhabra explains
One of the most talked about performances in Dhurandhar is Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of gangster Rehman Dakait. Mukesh Chhabra revealed that initially there was a list of around 50-60 actors for the role, including names from South cinema. Finally, Akshaye Khanna was chosen, which apparently paid off.
He also spoke about extensive auditions for the roles of Donga and Alam, which eventually went to Naveen Kaushik and Gaurav Gera.
Interestingly, Chhabra revealed that Sunil Grover was initially considered for the role of Alam before the makers decided on Gaurav Gera.
Responding to the online backlash, Mukesh Chhabra admitted that he found a lot of the social media reactions amusing. He said that not every creative choice can be explained immediately, and some answers have to be revealed over time. He hinted that the argument will be clearer a year after the release of Dhurandhar 2.
Apart from Ranveer and Sara, Dhurandhar also features a strong supporting cast like Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, and R. Madhavan, all of whom have received praise for their performances. The makers have confirmed that Dhurandhar 2 will release on March 19, 2026.