Not Only Nabeel Gabol, Dhurandhar's Jameel Jamali Was Inspired By This Pakistani Leader

Ever since Dhurandhar: The Revenge hit screens last December, Rakesh Bedi's standout performance as Jameel Jamali has sparked curiosity about the real-life inspiration behind the character.

Following the first instalment, many speculated that the role drew heavily from Pakistani politician Nabeel Gabol, and his own post-release interviews seemed to fuel that belief. However, fresh insights suggest the truth is more layered.

The film's research consultant Aditya Raj Kaul has now clarified that the character is not modelled on a single individual. Speaking on Prakhar Gupta's podcast, he explained, "It's a mix of Altaf Hussain from MQM and Nabeel Gabol, but it's mostly Altaf Hussain. He is alive and in the UK. His videos are hilarious. His glasses and overall look are similar to Jameel's character. There were allegations in Pakistan that Altaf Hussain was working for RAW; after that, he left Pakistan and settled in the UK. He also has a daughter."

This revelation suggests that Jameel Jamali is a composite character, blending traits from multiple real-life figures, particularly Altaf Hussain, to create a more dramatic and layered on-screen persona.

In Dhurandhar: The Revenge, Jameel Jamali's personal life also adds an interesting layer to the character's inspiration. His daughter, Yalina Jamali, played by Sara Arjun, is shown to be married to Hamza Ali Mazhari, portrayed by Ranveer Singh. In one of the film's moments, Yalina reveals that she was born when her father was 45 and that he had married her mother, who was half his age.

Interestingly, this detail appears to echo real-life parallels. As per reports in Pakistani media, Altaf Hussain tied the knot at the age of 48, with his wife reportedly being in her 20s at the time, adding another subtle connection between the fictional character and its possible real-world influences.

About Dhurandhar

Helmed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar tells the story of an Indian agent Hamza Ali Mazari, who infiltrates Pakistan's Lyari underworld an eliminates anti-Indian elements one by one.