The role was eventually portrayed by Akshaye Khanna, whose performance has received widespread acclaim as the film continues its dominant run at the global box office.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has emerged as one of the biggest theatrical hits of the year since its release on March 19, reportedly crossing ₹1,500 crore worldwide.

Speaking about the casting process, Chhabra said he was overwhelmed after hearing the script for the first time.

'I was narrated the story for four hours. I was in shock and didn't even realise how time passed. Despite casting many films, this one initially scared me because of its scale,' he said.

He explained that the film required casting for nearly 400 characters across its two parts, making it one of the most extensive casting exercises in recent times.

Chhabra disclosed that several actors had declined the role of Rehman Dakait before Akshaye Khanna came on board.

'I can't name them, but two to three actors said no. One was from the South and two from Bollywood. They gave very strange reasons, saying it was an ensemble film and largely Ranveer Singh's project. I'm sure they regret that decision today,' he said.

The casting director added that director Aditya Dhar remained unfazed by the rejections and continued the search with a clear vision.

According to Chhabra, Ranveer Singh was always the top choice for the lead role of Hamza.

'We were always clear that Ranveer would play Hamza. He agreed instantly as he was waiting for the right script,' he revealed.

The film's ensemble cast also includes Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi and Danish Pandor in key roles.

The casting of Yalina Jamali, played by Sara Arjun, involved an exhaustive search process.

Chhabra revealed that over 1,000 auditions were conducted to find the right face for the role.

'We wanted someone fresh, without any baggage, so the audience would fully believe in the character. We wanted to keep it a surprise,' he said.

Chhabra credited Aditya Dhar for giving him complete creative freedom during the casting process.

'He asked me to think big and wanted every role to surprise the audience. He was confident from the beginning that the film would break records,' he added.

With its massive scale, meticulous casting, and strong performances, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has become a landmark success. The revelation about actors rejecting a now-iconic role highlights how crucial casting decisions can shape cinematic history—and how missed opportunities can turn into lasting regrets.