guinness world records
Guinness World Records is a reference book published annually, listing world records and national records, both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world. The book itself holds a world record, as the best-selling copyrighted book of all time. As of the 2017 edition, it is now in its 63rd year of publication, published in 100 countries and 23 languages. The international franchise has extended beyond print to include television series and museums. The popularity of the franchise has resulted in Guinness World Records becoming the primary international authority on the cataloguing and verification of a huge number of world records; the organisation employs official record adjudicators authorised to verify the authenticity of the setting and breaking of records. Guinness World Records, Habibi. It feels amazing. Drawing inspiration from hip-hop culture aesthetics, Billboard’s dramatic announcements, and award celebration designs.
Design Direction:
Dynamic animations celebrating the milestone
Dark, urban aesthetic with gold/amber achievement highlights
Bold typography with dramatic hierarchy
Bahraini red accents honoring his heritage
Bahraini rapper Flipperachi (Hussam Aseem) has officially entered the Guinness World Records as of late January 2026. His 2024 viral hit “Fa9la” achieved this milestone after an explosive resurgence following its inclusion in the Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar. Rapper behind Dhurandhar’s ‘Fa9la’, Flipperachi makes historical billboard achievement to enter the Guinness World Records
The rapper was reportedly in the middle of a photoshoot when he was surprised with the official certificate, sparking his now-viral reaction: “Guinness World Records, Habibi!”
Flipperachi poses with a billboard celebrating his Guinness World Records entry for the song ‘Fa9la’ from Dhuradhar, marking a historic milestone for Indian rap music
Flipperachi enters Guinness World Records for Fa9la: Language is no barrier for Flipperachi; the Bahraini rapper is proving that rhythm and energy are the only global currencies that matter. Singer Palak Muchhal enters Guinness Book of Records, uses her gift of singing for this heartfelt cause
Singer Palak Muchhal, known for her soulful Bollywood hits, has earned a place in the Guinness and Limca Book of Records, but not for her music. Here’s why.
While she’s known to be the voice behind Bollywood hits like Kaun Tujhe, Meri Aashiqui, and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Palak has been saving lives. Through her Palak-Palash Charitable Foundation, which she runs with her brother Palash, the singer has helped fund over 3,800 heart surgeries for underprivileged children pan-India. A large part of her concert earnings goes directly toward these surgeries. For her, music isn’t just about fame or awards, but to help others.
How did Palak Muchhal’s humanitarian journey begin?
Palak’s journey to do something for the underprivileged began when she was just a little girl growing up in Indore. During a train journey, she saw a group of underprivileged children, hungry, barefoot, and struggling to survive. That left a deep mark on her, and she promised herself: “One day, I’ll help children like them.” Years later, she is now making it come true. She began performing concerts across the country not for glamour, but to raise money for heart surgeries of the underprivileged.
In 2013 alone, Palak raised over Rs 2.5 crore, helping 572 children receive life-saving operations. Every performance, every song she sang, helped save a life.Recognised for her kindness Her incredible humanitarian work soon earned her recognition worldwide. Featured in both the Guinness and Limca Book of Records, Palak is one of the rare artists who turned her art into an act of service.Beyond healthcare, Palak has also extended her support to national causes. She has contributed Rs 10 lakh for Gujarat earthquake relief and supported the families of Kargil martyrs.
‘A child’s surgery will never stop’
Standing firmly by her is her husband, composer Mithoon, who shares her vision. He once said, “Even if there’s no show, no income, a child’s surgery will never stop.” This shows the dedication of the couple to save lives no matter what. Flipperachi’s Fa9la hits top spot in four different Billboard rankings
The achievement isn’t just about streams; it’s about absolute chart dominance. Flipperachi secured the Guinness World Record for the most Billboard Arabia charts topped at No. 1 by a single song.
His hit track, Fa9la (pronounced Faasla), didn’t just climb the charts, it dominated them. The song simultaneously hit the top spot on four distinct Billboard Arabia rankings, namely ‘Top 100 Artists’, ‘Hot 100 Songs’, ‘Top 50 Khaleeji’ and ‘Top 50 Arabic Hip Hop’. The rapper was reportedly in the middle of a photoshoot when he was surprised with the official certificate, sparking his now-viral reaction: “Guinness World Records, Habibi!” Overwhelmed by the international response to his record, Flipperachi had earlier spoken about the sudden wave of love coming his way.
“To be honest, it’s crazy. My DMs are blowing up every single day. I cannot keep up with the people that are just tagging me for the song and enjoying and vibing with it. So it’s been a crazy time,” he had when asked about how he perceives people’s reaction to to his music.
From Manama to Mumbai: The Dhurandhar Effect
While Fa9la was originally released in 2024, its journey to the record books was fast-tracked by its inclusion in the 2025 Bollywood film Dhurandhar. The track provided the high-octane background for Akshaye Khanna’s iconic entry sequence, turning a Khaleeji hip-hop banger into an overnight sensation in India.
The song’s title, ‘Fa9la’ translates loosely to being ‘in the zone’ or ‘living the moment’, an energy that resonated with millions who didn’t speak a word of Arabic but couldn’t stop humming the hook. Post the release of the film, Flipperachi had also hinted at a possible comeback in Dhurandhar 2, teasing fans without giving too much away.
“I was going to keep it a surprise, but I guess there’s something. I wouldn’t want to tell you everything about it, but yeah, there might be something, yes,” he had said.
The sequel for the Ranveer Singh starrer film, titled ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ was shot alongside the first installment to ensure a swift turnaround and is presently in post production. The sequel is expected to be released mid-march.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Flipperachi secured the record for the most Billboard Arabia charts topped simultaneously by a single song. As of January 1, 2026, “Fa9la” held the No. 1 spot on four distinct Billboard Arabia rankings: Explained: How Dhurandhar led Flipperachi’s FA9LA to a Guinness World Record
Bahraini rapper Flipperachi’s 2024 track ‘FA9LA’ secured a Guinness World Record following its inclusion in Aditya Dhar’s 2025 film ‘Dhurandhar’. This new honour has sparked international acclaim and renewed popularity despite the film’s ban in Gulf nations. Bahraini rapper Flipperachi has reached a significant milestone after his 2024 song FA9LA was featured in Aditya Dhar’s 2025 film Dhurandhar, resulting in a Guinness World Record. The development reflects the growing influence of regional talent on global platforms and the expanding cultural exchanges between Arab and South Asian entertainment industries. FA9LA, which had already enjoyed regional popularity, experienced renewed success and international attention as a result of its association with the high-profile Indian film. Why Akshaye Khanna’s viral Sher-e-Baloch song is Dhurandhar’s most explosive twist sher-e-Baloch from Dhurandhar has gone viral for its swagger, but the song holds the film’s most crucial narrative twist. It exposes its characters and flips the narrative, even setting the scene for the second part.
The Sher-e-Baloch song from Dhurandhar has gone viral on social media for all the obvious reasons. Chief among them is Akshaye Khanna’s swagger – the way he commands the Arabic beat, the slow-motion haze wrapped around every move, and the magnetic presence he brings to the frame. But what most people don’t realise is this: it’s not meant to be just a crowd-pleasing visual, but it’s crucial to the film’s internal architecture. Composed by Bahrain-based rap artist Flipperachi, Sher-e-Baloch or FA9LA is more than a catchy number. It’s the film’s make-or-break moment, the hinge on which director Aditya Dhar balances everything. It features two key players – Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna – and in a three-hour, 33-minute thriller, this single song becomes the glue that holds their performances, motivations and the entire plot together. It even acts as a precursor to what the second part of the film might unleash. To realise why Sher-e-Baloch is so significant, one must first understand the characters Singh and Khanna portray. And here come the spoilers. If you want to avoid them, stop reading now. But if you choose to continue, things are about to get interesting.
In Dhurandhar, Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, revered as Sher-e-Baloch – the pivotal figure at the heart of the Baloch vs Pakistan conflict. Rehman is the leader of a community grappling with decades of political marginalisation, economic neglect, and state violence since Balochistan’s annexation in 1948.
He is their hope. Their protector. Their king – and, by all accounts, a noble one. He has built schools, funded medical care, created jobs, and shaped an entire narrative of upliftment for his tribe. Every act, even his carefully designed public perception, is rooted in loyalty to his people. This is the moment everything begins to unravel. This is where Rehman agrees to betray the very people who worship him. He keeps up the act – the benevolent king, the beloved leader – while secretly asking his tribe to supply arms that he has already promised to the ISI. These weapons, as the film reveals, later reach terrorist outfits operating in Pakistan and fuel their “bleed India with a thousand cuts” strategy – culminating in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
And then comes the other relationship that the song fractures: Rehman and Ranveer’s Hamza Ali Mazhari.
Hamza is Rehman’s devoted henchman – loyal to the point of death. He once saved Rehman’s life, massacring those who stood in the way, solidifying an unshakeable bond between them. So trusted is Hamza that Rehman brings him to a remote hideout where Baloch fighters plan their daily resistance against Pakistan. The song begins the moment Rehman arrives. The community celebrates their leader with traditional dance, food, and stories – unaware of the betrayal hidden beneath his smile. Only Hamza and Rehman’s brother, Uzhair, know the truth.
Rehman is there to demand weapons – not for the Baloch struggle, but for an ISI-backed deal that will launch him into political power. His people are oblivious; they would give him anything simply because he has been their only hope.
Hamza watches this unfold during the song – every beat, every lyric underscoring the magnitude of Rehman’s deceit. He witnesses his king backstabbing his community. And something inside him snaps. His respect evaporates. His loyalty fractures. His rage takes shape. He even warns Rehman, but is dismissed as a servant who has forgotten his place.
As the celebrations continue, Sher-e-Baloch plants the seeds of a power shift. This is where the film’s narrative flips. The song becomes the moment that ignites Hamza’s ambition – his first clear realisation that the throne is vacant, that Rehman is vulnerable, and that he, Hamza, could rise as the new king of Balochistan. In Dhurandhar, no song is just a song. And while Sher-e-Baloch may be the film’s most viral track, its true importance lies elsewhere – it is the fulcrum of the story, the turning point that transforms the film into a sharp, unrelenting spy thriller where relationships shed all emotion and become cold, transactional, and catalytic. The use of FA9LA in the film helped propel both the song and its creator into the Indian music scene, broadening Flipperachi’s fanbase. The film’s mass appeal and star-studded cast contributed to the track’s heightened visibility.
The Arab Billboard and Guinness World Records Arabia teams shared a video capturing the moment Flipperachi was surprised with his record during a photoshoot. He set a milestone for topping the most Billboard charts simultaneously with a single track. His song FA9LA led four different Arabic Billboard charts as of January 1. The 37-year-old rapper appeared stunned by the achievement, describing it as a “nuclear explosion.” Talking about the recognition, he said, “I was shocked the first time I saw it blowing up on social media. We suddenly got a deal from over there, and they said they wanted the song FA9LA because it would fit this scene in the movie. They placed it in a scene with an actor who has been off-screen for maybe ten years. Boom, he danced to it and boom.” Dhurandhar 2 to have another Flipperachi song? Fa9la singer replies by Flipperachi became an instant hit following Akshaye Khanna’s entry in Dhurandhar. The singer has now hinted in an exclusive conversation that the song may feature in Dhurandhar 2 as well. When Fa9la played during Akshaye Khanna’s menacing entry in Dhurandhar, audiences instantly knew this wasn’t just another background track. The song travelled from cinema halls to social media feeds at lightning speed, triggering dance videos, reaction clips and repeat plays, and in the process turning Bahrain-based singer-producer Flipperachi into a name Indian listeners couldn’t ignore. For the singer, whose original name is Hussam Aseem, the aftermath of Dhurandhar has been nothing short of overwhelming. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Flipperachi said, “To be honest, it’s crazy. My DMs are blowing up every single day. I cannot keep up with the people that are just tagging me for the song and enjoying and vibing with it. So it’s been a crazy, crazy time.”
And while the celebration doesn’t seem to end for him, he gave a bigger exclusive update that his association with the Dhurandhar universe may also extend to part 2. When asked if he’s also contributing to Dhurandhar 2, slated for release next year, he initially tried to hold back before letting the hint slip. “I was going to keep it a surprise, but I guess there’s something. I wouldn’t want to tell you everything about it, but yeah, there might be something, yes,” he shared with a broad smile. Rapper Flipperachi hopes to watch Dhurandhar despite Middle East ban on film Rapper Flipperachi has voiced his desire to watch Dhurandhar, which is currently banned in several Middle Eastern countries. He highlighted his admiration for Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh, and discussed the film’s viral soundtrack FA9LA.
Rapper Flipperachi, known for the viral hit FA9LA, has spoken about his wish to see the film Dhurandhar, which faces a ban in several Gulf countries. The movie, starring Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh, has garnered attention internationally, particularly after the success of its soundtrack.
Speaking in an interview, Flipperachi expressed his keen interest in watching Dhurandhar and emphasised the appeal of its cast. He noted that the film’s current restrictions in the Middle East have prevented many fans from accessing it. The ban, attributed to content concerns, has been a point of discussion among audiences in the region. During his conversation with NDTV, Flipperachi discussed both his connection to the film and his admiration for Akshaye Khanna. “Well, I would really like to watch the movie, to be honest. It’s an interesting film, and I’d like to see it because I’m a big fan of Akshaye Khanna. We know that he is a very seasoned actor and a celebrity. Back in the day, we used to watch many of the films he did,” he said. Flipperachi also highlighted the significance of Akshaye Khanna’s return to a major role, noting the excitement this brings to long-time fans. He commented on the impact of seeing prominent actors resume substantial roles in films with a strong artistic presence. He further added, “It would be nice to see a comeback for him. It would also be great to see Ranveer Singh. These actors have such strong acting and artistic skills that they make you want to watch them and see how they perform. The film is very interesting, and I really want to see it,” reflecting the anticipation among fans for the film’s release in the Middle East. What’s 9 doing in FA9LA, Dhurandhar’s runaway hit song Sher-e-Baloch?
The FA9LA isn’t a typo or a catchy title. The 9 replaces an Arabic letter for a strong “s” sound, a trend from Arabizi, the Arabic chat alphabet. In Bahraini slang FASLA means fun or party. So, the viral Dhurandhar anthem, FA9LA, which has now become a social media sensation, reads as FASLA.
Among the instant attention-grabbers in the Anuj Dhar-directorial is the Arabic track FA9LA. The song by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi and Akshaye Khanna’s Balochi-style moves have gone viral. But what is the number 9 doing in FA9LA? What is it supposed to mean? Dhurandhar releases on Netflix but many fans are disappointed. Here’s why after creating waves globally, Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ is streaming on OTT. However, fans are quite disappointed after the runtime of the film on Netflix was shorter than the theatre-cut.
Ranveer Singh’s action thriller Dhurandhar debuted on Netflix after a successful theatrical run, but the film’s OTT release has ignited criticism among viewers. The film, which first arrived in cinemas in December 2025, stars Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, and follows a high-stakes spy mission orchestrated by India’s Intelligence Bureau. Fans voiced frustration over changes made to the streaming version, particularly the trimming of 9 minutes on OTT.
The theatrical run time of Dhurandhar is three hours and 45 minutes, while the Netflix version is three hours and 25 minutes. Dhurandhar OTT release: When and where to watch Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller
After a record-breaking theatrical run, Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is set to stream on Netflix from January 30. The spy thriller crossed Rs 1000 crore in India, making it one of the biggest Bollywood hits ever.
After a blockbuster run at the box office, Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar is all set to make its OTT debut on Netflix. The spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar, will start streaming on the platform on Friday, January 30, as confirmed by an official update on Netflix’s page for the film.
On the Netflix India website, Dhurandhar’s page has been updated with the notification, ‘Coming on Friday.’ Viewers can also set a reminder on the platform to get notified as soon as the film premieres. The movie released in theatres on December 5 last year and went on to create history at the box office, crossing the Rs 1000 crore mark in India and over Rs 1300 crore worldwide. Ranveer Singh plays the role of the spy, Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, while Akshaye Khanna essays the role of Rehman Dakait, the leader of the gang. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi in key roles. It joins the likes of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, and KGF Chapter 2 – making it one of only four films to achieve this milestone. Meanwhile, the makers have already announced a sequel. Dhurandhar 2 is slated to release on March 19, 2026, on the occasion of Eid, in Hindi and all South Indian languages. The film will clash at the box office with Geetu Mohandas and Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups, which is scheduled to release on the same date. Why Dhurandhar stands out from other spy films in Bollywood More political chessboard than action fantasy, Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar traps its spy inside a hostile world and refuses the comfort of spectacle, rewriting the rules of Bollywood espionage.
The title track of Dhurandhar opens with the line: “Ladies and gentlemen, you are not ready for this.” At first, it sounds like the kind of adrenaline-heavy hype line that usually precedes a stylised, action-loaded spy spectacle. The trailers, teasers and songs reinforce that expectation – violence, scale, real-life inspiration, and a star cast promising high-octane thrills.
But the film proves that line right in an entirely different way. We weren’t ready – not for the force of its violence, not for the weight of its world-building, and certainly not for a mainstream Hindi spy film that asks audiences to sit through more than three and a half hours of slow-burn infiltration only to reveal half the story. Dhurandhar is not in a rush to impress. It refuses shortcuts, commits fully to its genre, and does something rare in Bollywood espionage cinema: it treats spying not as fantasy, but as prolonged psychological confinement. So what exactly makes Dhurandhar different?
A spy thriller that bleeds drama, not just action
On paper, Dhurandhar begins with a setup Hindi cinema knows well: repeated terror attacks on India, intelligence agencies tracing the roots to Karachi, and a single undercover operative sent into Lyari to infiltrate the ecosystem believed to feed this violence. But Aditya Dhar refuses to treat this as an action framework. Instead, he stages it like a political chessboard, where every move is delayed, observed and tested. Hamza does not enter Lyari as a hero, or even as a spy. He enters as a body subjected to trial, erosion, and survival. The very first sequence of his arrival announces the film’s intent with brutal clarity. The film isn’t interested in making spy work look cool. It wants it to feel dangerous. Crucially, the mission is not the film’s only engine. The internal hierarchies of Lyari, its gangs, negotiations and power struggles, occupy more narrative space. Remove one key piece of information, that Hamza is an Indian spy, and the film still works as a mass drama about a nobody climbing the ranks of a violent underworld, earning fear, authority and survival inch by inch. That rags-to-power arc, deeply embedded in Indian commercial cinema, runs parallel to the espionage plot and gives Dhurandhar its mass appeal.
By allowing politics, struggle and interpersonal dynamics to overpower action, Dhurandhar becomes two films at once: a grounded spy thriller and an underworld rise narrative that separates it from standard Bollywood spy narratives.
A treatment Bollywood rarely attempts
Where Dhurandhar truly announces its ambition is in its treatment. Aditya Dhar directs with a willingness to be indulgent, but with control. Nearly three and a half hours unfold largely within the same geographic and emotional space, supported by a chapter-wise structure, recurring on-screen text, and long stretches of conversation and waiting. The film resists the urge to sprint from one high point to the next. It is not like other spy films which jump from location to location like a tourism ad. The film oscillates between mass swagger and documentary-like realistic grit, creating a tension that defines the film’s identity. There is confidence in how the world is presented – assured in tone, texture and rhythm rather than loud spectacle. The red-screen sequence captures this philosophy best. For a moment that mainstream cinema would usually bring alive using slow motion, swelling music and visual polish, Dhar opts for disorientation. Colour drains, clarity fractures, and emotion arrives as impact rather than imagery. In a landscape obsessed with romanticising trauma, Dhurandhar chooses unease. Here, style isn’t decoration, it’s storytelling.
A world that refuses comfort
Dhar, with Dhurandhar, established a recognisable directorial stamp which has become rare in Bollywood. Lyari in Dhurandhar is not a backdrop; it is a living space. The grime, heat, sweat and desperation are tangible. The production design is obsessive – streets, houses, warehouses, interrogation rooms – all feel worn down by time and violence. Nothing looks staged. Everything feels inhabited. The music deepens this realism. Hindi spy films often rely on generic Middle Eastern cues to signal Pakistan. Characters built for survival, Dhurandhar understands a simple truth many spy films forget: espionage works best when characters drive the world, not the other way around. Ranveer Singh approaches Hamza with striking restraint. His stillness is tactical, his restraint calculated. The film understands that an undercover operative in hostile territory cannot afford emotional release. When violence finally erupts, it lands because it has been held back for so long.
The film reinforces this by stripping away familiar patriotic comforts. There are no speeches, no domestic safe zones, no promise of recognition. Hamza operates by the unforgiving rules of espionage: if he is caught, the country cannot claim him; if he dies, the mission simply disappears with him. This anonymity isn’t ideological. It’s procedural.
Violence as consequence, not spectacle
The violence in Dhurandhar is raw and often difficult to watch. But unlike stylised action films, it is never aspirational. Instead of choreographing action like a ballet, Dhar presents it with minimal filtration. The discomfort is intentional. In most Bollywood spy films, violence thrills. Here, it leaves a mark. Brutality is treated as context and consequence, not as spectacle designed for applause.
A spy film that understands waiting
Perhaps Dhurandhar’s boldest choice is its patience. Real intelligence work is not constant adrenaline; it is long stretches of observation, compliance and waiting, punctuated by moments of terror. The film embraces that rhythm.
This is why the runtime feels demanding but honest. Dhurandhar is less about missions and more about what missions do to people – how identity thins out, how trust corrodes, how survival becomes the only measurable success. That alone sets it apart from the Bollywood spy template.
Why Dhurandhar matters
Dhurandhar does not redefine the spy genre by being louder or more patriotic. It does so by refusing to dilute the reality it steps into. Masculinity here is not swagger or chest-thumping heroism; it is about survival – the kind required to endure humiliation, violence and constant threat. Violence is not a spectacle, but a consequence. It isn’t a flawless film. The love track weakens the narrative and the length demands patience. But its conviction never wavers. In an industry crowded with stylised espionage fantasies, Dhurandhar stands apart because it refuses comfort. It doesn’t soften brutality or hand out easy heroism. Many of the film’s most criticised choices are also its most deliberate ones. The violence reflects a documented gangland ecosystem rather than shock value. The masculinity on display is functional, not performative, shaped by the physical and psychological demands of undercover life. Terrorism is shown as terrorism, not as a religious metaphor. And the nationalism at play is never celebratory. It operates as isolation – a quiet understanding that if the operative is exposed, he will be disowned, erased and forgotten. That loneliness is not propaganda, it is the lived reality of espionage. This refusal to reassure is precisely why Dhurandhar feels less like an exception. It is a hint of what Hindi spy cinema can become when it stops chasing approval and starts confronting.
Old melodies, new mayhem: How Dhurandhar gives killer twist to retro songs
In Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, retro melodies don’t just return, they resurrect with a vengeance. Old favourites are retooled into thumping, adrenaline-fuelled accomplices to chaos, in a way that they just leave you hooked.
Remixing retro songs isn’t a new trend in Bollywood, but only a handful of films truly pull it off with an element of novelty. Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, is one of them. Instead of treating nostalgia like a gimmick, the makers have tried to pull off something new by raiding Bollywood’s musical attic, dusting off golden oldies, and twisting them into wicked, pulse-thumping partners to the film’s on-screen violence. The result? It’s bold, mischievous, and surprisingly seamless. The music of the film smiles sweetly while stabbing you in the gut. Gone are the days when these songs tugged at the heart. In Aditya Dhar’s action drama act as unlikely accessories as the narrative pumps adrenaline and teases danger. Music doesn’t accompany the action here, it provokes its purpose and heightens the impact. The composition by Shashwat Sachdev is mixed with something darker, louder, and far more unhinged, yet it has its unique charm.
In essence, Dhurandhar uses retro music to create a unique sonic landscape, making classic tunes feel fresh and relevant within its contemporary story where action frequently turns into gore.
Na Toh Karwan ki Talaash Hai
As the movie begins to build up the story, fans get treated to an amazing soundtrack to mark Ranveer Singh’s dhunadhaar entry, with the evergreen qawwali Na To Karavan Ki Talaash Hai. An updated version of the song from the 1960 classic film Barsaat Ki Raat gets a twist of EDM and metal riffs, and the outcome is a score that defines Singh’s swag and rugged look as the hardened spy Hamza. Beneath Hamza’s brutality and silence lies a nomad forever searching for belonging, for a caravan that may never exist. While the younger generation might not be familiar with this tune, the song is now creating waves all across, adding a fresh layer to the storyline. It defines his gravitas with aching beauty, layering the action with an emotional undercurrent few would expect. Rambha Ho
Just as when your adrenaline begins to rush, fans were treated to another thumping hit. This one is a breezy, happy-go-lucky number that saw Prema Narayan dancing through the carefree chaos of a Goa carnival in the 1981 potboiler, Armaan. In Dhurandhar, Rambha Ho finds a sinister expression as the introductory number for Akshaye Khanna’s ruthless Rehman Dakait.
Pleasure, indulgence, desire – everything the original song celebrated – gets reimagined as Rehman’s twisted ecstasy in orchestrating death. For him, violence is the carnival, and every brutal kill is just another rhythm to groove to. The song becomes his theme, his swagger, his idea of bliss.
Hawa Hawa
While the music defined each character and their streak of violence, how can we forget Sanjay Dutt’s iconic entry as Jinn, a ghost in the underworld – the storm no one sees coming. Dutt as the Jinn rises, and with him, vengeance turns into promise. Against an all-white backdrop, dressed to match, he arrives with a new persona: SP Chaudhary Aslam, a man driven solely by the mission to kill Rehman Dakait.
Dutt’s entry is set to the appealingly reimagined Hawa Hawa, an eighties hit by Pakistani pop star Hassan Jahangir. The song serves to outline the era of Aslam’s youth. It also acts as a breezy introduction to Sanjay Dutt’s character – a man who lives on his own terms and harbours a streak of rebellion. All of these songs show up in completely unexpected ways and in completely unexpected parts with different vocals, music, and instrumentation, feeling fresh and new. The songs feel good, too, because you realise you’ve heard them before, and they sound familiar.
Run Down The City – Monica
What once was a seductive Helen cabaret about longing transforms into pure cinematic chaos in Dhurandhar’s explosive action sequence. Composer Shashwat Sachdev gives the Caravan classic a bold recharged identity, renaming it Run Down The City – Monica. While some of the iconic lyrics remain, the new additions expand on the film’s themes, keeping the adrenaline high. The result is a track that not only honours the original but also elevates the intensity, a pulsating backdrop designed to send the audience’s heartbeat racing.
Na Dil De Pardesi Nu (Jogi)
Serving as the overall theme song, this track threads the film’s emotional intensity, its cultural grit, and its larger-than-life aura into a single heartbeat. The soulful Punjabi duet originally sung by Mohammed Sadiq and Ranjit Kaur, with music by Charanjit Ahuja and lyrics by Babu Singh Maan, holds Dhurandhar together. The lyrics, Na de dil pardesi nu, Tainu nit da roona pai jau ga (Don’t give your heart to a stranger, you’ll end up crying every single day), might sound from the perspective of a dejected lover, but it defines Ranveer’s character arc, who is also given a chance to save his country despite being convicted for a heinous crime. This theme song pulls the correct strings of emotions.
Director Aditya Dhar uses these familiar tunes during key action sequences and emotional beats, enhancing the drama and connecting with audiences across generations. The soundtrack isn’t just background music; it’s integral to the narrative, reflecting character journeys and adding layers of emotional depth, making it a standout aspect of the film. Punjabi folk and disco echoes – weaving them into the narrative to unsettle rather than exoticise the setting. Akshaye Khanna proves again why he is the Dhurandhar of actors in Bollywood If Chhava earlier this year restored Akshaye Khanna to the mainstream conversation, Dhurandhar has pushed the actor firmly into the centre of it for an actor who has spent most of his career dodging the spotlight, Akshaye Khanna is suddenly at the centre of almost every conversation around Dhurandhar. In a film dominated by big names, soaring box-office chatter and opening-day hysteria, it is Khanna’s turn as Rehman Dakait that has quietly – nay, loudly – become talk of the town. It’s a familiar industry phenomenon: every few years, Bollywood collectively “rediscovers” Akshaye Khanna. Except this time, it feels different. This time, the rediscovery may finally stick.
Long regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most underrated actors (and, to the surprise of many Gen-Z viewers discovering his older work, an underrated dancer too), Khanna has crafted in Dhurandhar a character that taps into the very essence of his screen presence – enigmatic, razor-edged and impossible to look away from. Rehman isn’t just a role. He is a reminder of what a performer like Khanna can add to a star-driven ecosystem saturated with noise. It is the rare combination of restraint and intensity that few actors today wield with such precision.
In many ways, Khanna’s moment in Dhurandhar feels like the payoff of a long, winding journey. His performance in the historical epic Chhava earlier this year signalled that he was entering a renewed phase of his career. Playing a figure with gravitas amid a visual extravaganza, he grounded the spectacle with stillness, a quality that has become his signature. While Chhava restored him to the mainstream conversation, Dhurandhar pushes him firmly into the centre of it. Khanna’s relative scarcity has always added to his mystique. While many of his contemporaries aggressively lived their stardom, Khanna remained a famously private figure. No needless appearances. No brand-building theatrics. No attempts to court virality. In an age where fame is a 24/7 occupation, his detachment only made him more intriguing. Yet, that very recluse-like quality has fuelled an enduring belief: Akshaye Khanna’s real aura farming begins the moment the camera turns on. It’s where he is most alive, most magnetic and most himself. Directors often speak of his instinctive ability to own a scene without announcing it, a sharp contrast to his off-screen invisibility. For audiences, every Khanna performance arrives with the thrill of rediscovery.
Rehman Dakait: A Role That Demands and Receives Precision
In Dhurandhar, Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, a real-life Karachi gangster who once ruled Lyari with a mix of political influence, street power, and sheer brutality. The film introduces him as a politician-crime lord hybrid whose very presence alters the temperature of a room. Tales of extreme violence, troubled childhood precedes Rehman, almost lingering like urban legend.
Khanna leans into these contradictions with chilling precision. His Rehman is unpredictable yet self-assured, a man whose moral wiring was twisted long before power arrived. The film avoids turning him into a caricatured villain; instead, it gives him layers that Khanna elevates – the charisma of a political heavyweight, the menace of a mafia don and the volatility of a man shaped by violence. It’s a performance stitched together with pauses, glances and an unspoken menace. Nothing is loud, but everything is lethal. Part of the reason Akshaye Khanna works so well in Dhurandhar is precisely because he is not trying to outshine anyone. His endeavour has never been to dominate the frame, only to serve the role with absolute commitment. That’s why any talk of him “outshining” the cast feels more like social-media hype than reality. Khanna has always approached his performances as part of a larger whole, not a personal victory lap. If anything, Dhurandhar simply reiterates what his career has quietly proven for years: Akshaye Khanna does what is best for the film, and that’s exactly why he stands out.
The praise for Dhurandhar didn’t emerge in isolation. Khanna has been stacking carefully chosen, textured roles over the last five years, or even before. In Section 375, he played a brilliant yet morally ambiguous defence lawyer, a performance still referenced as one of 2019’s finest. In Drishyam 2, he delivered a sharp, simmering portrayal of cop Tarun Ahlawat, a man piecing together a puzzle with more intellect than bravado. In State of Siege: Temple Attack, he projected understated authority, choosing internal strength over theatrics, and in Chhava he anchored the period drama with measured gravitas. Taken together, these roles signal Khanna 3.0: a phase defined not by volume, but by impact.
A Filmography That Aged Better Than Most
Looking back, Khanna’s eclectic choices now feel like a preview of today’s cinematic sensibilities. Before subtlety became fashionable among actors of his generation, he was already there, internalising conflict, embracing moral greys, resisting melodrama when Bollywood demanded louder strokes.
From the breezy charm of Taal and Dil Chahta Hai, to the emotional heft of Gandhi, My Father, to the psychological and political edges of Humraaz, Aakrosh and Deewangee, he built a filmography that rewards revisits. And yes, his Taal dance sequences still inspire disbelief among those discovering how fluid, effortless and under-recognised he was. His best work has aged like fine wine because it was always rooted in nuance.
The Best Time to Be Akshaye Khanna
There’s irony in the fact that Khanna’s biggest cultural moment arrives precisely when he is more invisible than ever. Only appearing for work, and the work, right now, is speaking louder than anything else. Whether it’s Chhava’s performance or Dhurandhar’s electric unpredictability, Khanna is delivering back-to-back performances that remind audiences why he has remained a critic’s favourite for over two decades.Rehman Dakait may just be the role that defines this chapter of his career, proof that timeless talent doesn’t need reinvention, only the right moment. And for Akshaye Khanna, that moment has finally arrived. Dhurandhar has been directed by Aditya Dhar, and stars Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun among others in pivotal roles. Khanna’s relative scarcity has always added to his mystique. While many of his contemporaries aggressively lived their stardom, Khanna remained a famously private figure. No needless appearances. No brand-building theatrics. No attempts to court virality. In an age where fame is a 24/7 occupation, his detachment only made him more intriguing. What Karachi’s Lyari thinks of Dhurandhar and Ranveer Singh? Check this out
Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar trailer has sparked witty reactions in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood. Locals responded with humour and pride.
Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar is unexpectedly creating a wave of reactions across the border, especially in Karachi’s Lyari. The locals of the neighbourhood reacted in the trailer.
A video report from Geo News, now circulating widely on social media, shows Lyari residents responding with a mix of wit, confidence and characteristic street pride.
In the clip, the anchor says the trailer makes it seem as though Ranveer’s “dangerous agent” will shake up Lyari, but locals insist they’re “not intimidated by anyone.” Instead, they joke that they would welcome the actor by making him play football, the area’s signature sport rather than letting him display his action moves. “Welcome you, Ranveer Gully Boy!” one resident says with a laugh. A middle-aged woman says that she hasn’t seen the trailer, so she can’t welcome him, “Maine dekha nahi toh welcome kaise karungi. Dekha hota toh welcome karungi na meri jaan. Kuch nahi sikhaungi. Main toh gair aadmi se baat nahi karti (I haven’t even seen him, so how can I welcome him, son? If I had seen him, I would welcome him, my dear. I won’t teach you anything; I don’t even talk to strangers).” Some youngsters take a more playful, competitive tone: ““We’ll teach him boxing. We’ll show him what Lyari really is… Lyari boys don’t fear anyone.” Inspired by Gully Boy, a few young boys even sing a rap song for Ranveer. Others add that Lyari is full of talent and spirit, and if Ranveer ever visited, they would teach him football, “make him Ronaldo,” and show him the real streets of the area, not just the version seen in films. Despite critiques, the tone remains warm. One resident sums it up best, “If Ranveer Singh comes here, he should come with love and we will welcome him with love.” The film depicts Lyari as a focal point for illegal activities and relentless gang conflicts. The film is currently running in theatres.
