Vikramm Bhambhri: Ranveer Singh Became My ‘Bhai’ on Dhurandhar Sets

Mumbai: Actor Vikramm Bhambhri, who marks his entry into Hindi cinema with Aditya Dhar’s ambitious action-drama Dhurandhar, has shared heartfelt memories from the film’s intense and memorable shoot. In an exclusive interaction, Bhambhri opened up about landing the role of Shakeel Commando, his first-day nerves alongside Ranveer Singh, and the strong bond that developed within the gang on set.

Bhambhri revealed that his journey with Dhurandhar began like many newcomers — through auditions in May 2024. He officially came on board in October 2024. In the film, he plays Shakeel Commando, one of the key henchmen in the feared Rehman Dakait group. The character is described as tall with a rugged ‘modern nomad’ personality — mostly silent, yet his actions speak volumes.

“After the events of Part 1, where Donga, Siyahi, and Baba Ladla were killed, the surviving gang members, including my character, will carry the story forward in Part 2,” Bhambhri explained.

The actor reserved his warmest words for his co-star Ranveer Singh, who leads the film. Recounting his very first day on set, Bhambhri said he was standing near Ranveer (referred to as RS on set) feeling overwhelmed and anxious, filled with countless doubts.

“But the very next moment, he called me ‘Vikramm Sir’,” Bhambhri recalled with a smile. “I was totally blown away by that gesture. From that instant, he became ‘Ranveer bhai’ for me.”

He continued, “Throughout the shoot, Ranveer bhai has been very inspiring. He has been like a best buddy, especially with all the gang members — also because the script demanded that bond. Ranveer bhai is very meticulous, not only in his craft but also in how he builds camaraderie with people around him. He is full of energy, a happy, jolly human being who motivates and cheers others. He is a true gentleman and a very humble human being. And that is the biggest lesson I’ll always remember throughout my career.”

Dhurandhar marks Vikramm Bhambhri’s debut in Bollywood, and the experience of sharing screen space with established stars left a deep impression on him. “For me, every moment on the set is kind of recorded in my mind,” he shared. “This being my first step into the Bollywood industry and standing next to the biggest stalwarts of Bollywood, it’s been quite an overwhelming experience for me.”

The actor also recounted a lighter, humorous incident from the high-altitude shoot in Leh. He and his on-screen gang members — Danish (Uzair), Rajat (Mukka), and Naveen (Donga) — had become close buddies off-screen as well. Before flying to Leh, the group discussed taking Diamox tablets to help acclimatize to the mountain altitude.

“I was confident I would still be able to manage without Diamox because I’m a regular gym-goer and thought my cardio system would be better than Rajat’s,” Bhambhri laughed. “Basically, I was more worried about how Rajat would manage there, as he is prone to motion sickness and was quite scared about the high altitude.”

However, things didn’t go as planned. “We landed in Leh without consuming Diamox, and by the very second day, my SpO2 dropped below 80, and I had to be put on oxygen cylinders. On the other hand, Rajat was fit and fine — and recording me!” he added with amusement.

The incident, Bhambhri said, became one of the many memorable moments that made the Dhurandhar journey special. From intense action sequences to these light-hearted episodes at high altitude, the entire shoot has left him with lessons and friendships he will cherish for years.

As anticipation builds for both parts of Dhurandhar, Vikramm Bhambhri’s refreshing honesty and gratitude offer a glimpse into the camaraderie and hard work that go into creating a large-scale Bollywood film. His respect for Ranveer Singh’s humility and leadership on set highlights the kind of environment that helps newcomers feel valued and inspired.

For a debutant actor stepping into a high-profile project, Bhambhri’s experience underscores how small gestures of kindness and professionalism can leave a lasting impact. With Shakeel Commando set to play a significant role in Part 2, audiences can look forward to seeing more of this talented newcomer in the gripping world of Dhurandhar.

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This account is based directly on Vikramm Bhambhri’s own words from the interaction, capturing both the professional insights and personal anecdotes that made his debut shoot unforgettable.