The Indian film industry rarely witnesses the kind of frenzy that has gripped audiences following the release and subsequent OTT debut of Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller, Dhurandhar. The film not only shattered box office records by crossing the coveted ₹1,000 crore mark worldwide but also left audiences with one burning question that has transformed into the most discussed mystery in recent Bollywood history: Who is Bade Saab?
As the anticipation for Dhurandhar 2 reaches fever pitch ahead of its March 19, 2026 theatrical release, a recently leaked photograph from the film’s set has sent the internet into overdrive. The image, featuring Sanjay Dutt’s SP Aslam in what appears to be an intense conversation with Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal, has unleashed a torrent of speculation, theories, and debates across social media platforms. The photograph has become more than just a leaked behind-the-scenes moment-it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that speaks to the power of mystery in modern cinema and the engagement of passionate fan communities.
The phenomenon called Dhurandhar
Before diving into the swirling theories about Bade Saab’s identity, it’s essential to understand the cultural earthquake that Dhurandhar represents. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the filmmaker behind the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, Dhurandhar arrived in cinemas with massive expectations and somehow managed to exceed them all
The film follows Hamza, an Indian undercover operative portrayed by Ranveer Singh in what many critics are calling the performance of his career. Hamza infiltrates the notorious gang networks in Pakistan’s Lyari, embedding himself deep within the criminal underworld controlled by the feared Rehman Dakait, played with menacing brilliance by Akshaye Khanna. Operating in enemy territory where one wrong move could mean certain death, Hamza must navigate a treacherous landscape of violence, betrayal, and moral ambiguity to dismantle terror operations that threaten India’s security.
The film’s narrative weaves together multiple storylines involving organized crime, intelligence operations, and personal vendettas, creating a complex tapestry that keeps audiences on the edge throughout its long runtime. Despite criticism about its length, the gripping narrative, powerhouse performances, and strong technical execution have made it one of the most discussed Hindi films of its time.
Commercially, Dhurandhar has been spectacular, crossing ₹1,000 crore worldwide and joining the elite club of Indian blockbusters to achieve that milestone. It has also become Ranveer Singh’s first film to enter this bracket, further solidifying his box office clout.
The ensemble that powers the film
One of Dhurandhar’s greatest strengths lies in its ensemble cast, each member delivering performances that elevate the material. Ranveer Singh leads from the front with a restrained yet intense portrayal that showcases his versatility. Known for flamboyant characters in earlier films, he surprises with a far more internal, controlled performance here.
Akshaye Khanna’s turn as Rehman Dakait marks a standout return, bringing a mix of charm and menace that makes the character memorable even after his arc concludes. His presence looms over the narrative as the primary crime lord whose empire Hamza infiltrates.
Sanjay Dutt as SP Aslam adds weight and unpredictability to the proceedings. His character’s allegiances and motivations are never entirely transparent, which keeps viewers guessing and makes his involvement in the sequel highly anticipated.
Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal has quietly become central to fan discussions, particularly in connection with Bade Saab. His commanding presence and morally ambiguous aura make him a natural candidate for deeper speculation about who truly controls the game.
The Bade Saab enigma
At the heart of Dhurandhar’s mystique lies its most discussed element: Bade Saab. Throughout the film, this shadowy figure is referenced repeatedly by key characters, yet never shown on screen. This deliberate choice turns him into a looming presence whose absence is felt in every major plot turn.
From scattered clues, audiences infer that Bade Saab is the ultimate puppet master orchestrating the nexus of crime, terror, and power. His influence appears to span across gangs, local authorities, and larger clandestine networks, but the film withholds any clear reveal of his identity.
Hamza’s own notes and priorities hint at Bade Saab being a top target, suggesting a central role in the larger machinery Hamza has been sent to dismantle. By leaving this unresolved, the first film ends on a deliberately tantalizing note, effectively setting up Dhurandhar 2 as the chapter where answers may finally emerge.
The leaked photograph that broke the internet
On January 31, 2026, a photograph from the sets of Dhurandhar 2 surfaced online and instantly went viral. The image shows Sanjay Dutt’s SP Aslam standing with Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal, both seemingly engaged in a serious conversation.
The simplicity of the image belies its impact. For fans who have been obsessing over Bade Saab for months, this specific pairing of characters looks like a major narrative clue. It quickly triggered waves of posts, breakdowns, and long threads, as users zoomed into expressions, costumes, background elements, and body language to squeeze out any possible hint.
That one image has effectively become a catalyst, reigniting the Dhurandhar discourse just as the film dropped on OTT and the sequel’s release date drew closer. It illustrates how, in today’s ecosystem, a single on-set still can drive speculation and function as unofficial marketing.
Theory one: Major Iqbal is Bade Saab
The most prominent fan theory sparked by the leaked image suggests that Major Iqbal is actually Bade Saab himself. According to this line of thought, his calm authority and insider knowledge throughout the first film mask a deeper, more covert role.
One viral fan post laid out a detailed chain of possibilities: the idea that SP Aslam could be revealing to Iqbal that Hamza orchestrated Rehman Dakait’s murder, leading Iqbal-secretly Bade Saab-to exploit this information rather than expose it. In this version, Iqbal uses the intel to bend Hamza to his will, indirectly explaining how Hamza later appears as Sher-e-Baloch in the early glimpse of Part 2.[]
The same theory suggests that Aslam, continuing to dig too deeply, might later be eliminated once he uncovers inconvenient truths about other players like Jaskirat, tying into earlier promotional material hinting at car blasts and targeted removals. This elegant narrative loop appeals to fans because it aligns many disparate clues into a single, cohesive explanation
Supporters of this theory point to Iqbal’s demeanor and apparent seniority in conversations, arguing that he behaves less like a mid-level cog and more like someone fully in command. They see his studied calm and wide knowledge base as signs of someone who has been carefully hiding in plain sight.[]
Theory two: the third-person contradiction
However, not all fans are convinced. A substantial counter-theory argues that Major Iqbal cannot be Bade Saab, based on specific dialogue cues in the first film. Several sharp-eyed viewers have highlighted that Iqbal and others refer to Bade Saab consistently in the third person, in a way that doesn’t feel like a cover or misdirection.
One widely shared comment notes that Iqbal himself is seen asking who ordered certain operations, implicitly acknowledging someone above him in the hierarchy. This undercuts the idea that he is the top boss, because his onscreen questions appear genuinely directed at understanding a superior’s will.
In this reading, Bade Saab sits even higher than Major Iqbal, locked away in a space where only whispers and orders travel, not faces and names. That interpretation reinforces the notion of an almost untouchable figure, existing at the very top of a shadowy pyramid that even powerful military or intelligence players cannot easily access.
Theory three: a tactical alliance against Hamza
A third major theory shifts focus away from Bade Saab’s identity and instead frames the leaked photo as a moment of tactical coordination. Here, the meeting between SP Aslam and Major Iqbal is read as an alliance to address the threat and opportunity posed by Hamza’s new position after the events of the first film.
With Hamza having effectively taken over Rehman Dakait’s operations, some fans argue he may now be seen as a volatile asset: valuable because of his access, but dangerous because of his autonomy. Aslam and Iqbal, in this scenario, could be sharing intelligence, trying to understand how this was pulled off, and deciding whether Hamza can still be controlled-or needs to be neutralized.
This interpretation aligns with classic espionage storytelling, where undercover agents sometimes become too embedded, leading handlers and parallel networks to question their loyalties. The meeting, then, becomes less about a mask coming off and more about strategy, risk management, and damage control.
The Dawood Ibrahim angle and real-world echoes
Inevitably, part of the speculation bridges fiction and reality. Dhurandhar’s Karachi setting, its focus on cross-border crime syndicates, and its depiction of a deeply entrenched underworld have prompted some observers to draw parallels with Dawood Ibrahim and similar real-world figures.
Some fans have floated the idea that Bade Saab is a fictional composite inspired by such notorious dons: a stand‑in for the idea of an India-focused crime lord operating with protection and links inside Pakistan. This gives the character an added resonance, as he comes to symbolize decades of fear, folklore, and geopolitical anxieties.
Given Aditya Dhar’s history of engaging with real-world themes in films like Uri, it’s plausible that elements of Dhurandhar draw from actual case studies and intelligence narratives, even if no one character is a direct representation. Officially, of course, nothing concrete has been confirmed, which maintains plausible deniability and keeps the character within the safe bounds of fiction.
Aditya Dhar’s evolving storytelling
Aditya Dhar’s journey as a filmmaker helps explain why the Bade Saab device works so effectively. With Uri, he delivered a sharp, patriotic action film that was both celebrated and critiqued for its tone and perceived messaging. In later interviews, he acknowledged criticism while maintaining that he trusted audiences to distinguish between intent and propaganda.
Dhurandhar reflects a more layered approach. While still rooted in high-stakes national security themes, it leans into moral ambiguity, competing agendas, and layered characterization. Leaving Bade Saab unseen is part of that shift-it asks viewers to live with uncertainty rather than getting every answer neatly tied up in a single film.
By scattering clues without a definitive reveal, Dhar encourages active engagement. Fans rewatch, analyze, and debate, turning the film’s world into an ongoing puzzle rather than a closed chapter. That interaction, in turn, amplifies the film’s presence far beyond its initial theatrical run.
Technical craft that supports the tension
The mystery surrounding Bade Saab is reinforced by the film’s technical choices. The cinematography leans into gritty textures and claustrophobic framing, emphasizing the sense of being surrounded by unseen forces. Tight interiors, busy alleys, and dimly lit rooms create an atmosphere where someone might always be watching, even if they’re never seen
The score and background music heighten that tension, punctuating moments of silence, anxiety, and dread. Strategic use of sound, sometimes holding back rather than overwhelming, helps build suspicion around every whispered reference to higher powers and off-screen decision-makers
Editing choices also matter: information is drip-fed rather than dumped, and threads around Bade Saab are introduced with just enough detail to intrigue without clarifying. That rhythm of hint and holdback keeps the character lodged in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.
OTT release and the second wave of hype
Dhurandhar’s arrival on Netflix on January 30, 2026 created a second wave of attention. Viewers who missed the theatrical run, and those rewatching with the pause and rewind freedom of streaming, began catching smaller clues and nuances that fed directly into new and refined theories.
The timing is strategic: with Dhurandhar 2 scheduled to hit cinemas on March 19, the OTT debut functions like a primer. It puts the original back into heavy rotation just as marketing for the sequel ramps up. The leaked Sanjay–Arjun still dropping a day after the OTT release only intensified this synergy.
Streaming also widens access. Regions with limited theatrical exposure now have the film at their fingertips, expanding the base of fans engaging in speculation-and increasing the stakes and expectations for how the sequel will pay off its mysteries.
Ranveer Singh’s pivotal performance
Amid all the talk about Bade Saab, Hamza remains the emotional spine of Dhurandhar, and Ranveer Singh’s performance is integral to why the film works. Critics and audiences alike have highlighted the restraint he brings to the role, marking a shift from some of his more flamboyant performances.
Playing an undercover operative embedded deep inside a hostile ecosystem demands multiple layers: the persona he presents to the gang, the true self hidden underneath, and the toll the violence takes on his conscience. Singh navigates these with subtle changes in eyes, posture, and tone rather than overt showiness, which adds credibility to the character’s double life.
This role has been widely described as one of his most mature and controlled turns, reinforcing his ability to carry large-scale, serious cinema while still connecting strongly with mass audiences. In the context of Dhurandhar 2, viewers are particularly curious to see how Hamza evolves as Sher-e-Baloch and whether he remains fully aligned with his original mission.
The March 19 release and sky-high expectations
Dhurandhar 2 is set to release in theatres on March 19, 2026, with Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and others returning to their roles. The film is positioned as a major pan‑India event, with dubbed versions planned in multiple languages to capitalize on the first part’s wide appeal.
This release will reportedly see a clash with other big titles, underlining the confidence the makers have in the franchise’s drawing power. Eid-adjacent release positioning further emphasizes its status as a flagship commercial bet for the year
Narratively, audiences expect two big things: a deeper exploration of Hamza’s new avatar and, crucially, a satisfying-if possibly surprising-resolution to the Bade Saab mystery. Any reveal will be measured not only on shock value but also on how organically it fits the groundwork laid in Part 1.
Mystery as modern marketing
Beyond plot, the Bade Saab conversation demonstrates how mystery itself has become a powerful marketing engine. In an era when content drops constantly and attention is fragmented, withholding a key piece of information can sometimes do more than any conventional campaign.
By ending Dhurandhar with an open question instead of a tidy wrap‑up, the makers sparked ongoing fan labour-threads, videos, edits, and theory posts that keep the brand alive between releases. Every new scrap of information, from interviews to leaked photos, fuels another cycle of engagement.
This approach turns the audience from passive consumers into active participants. Speculation becomes part of the entertainment, and the wait between films feels like an extended interactive phase rather than dead time. Dhurandhar’s Bade Saab mystery is a textbook case of how to leverage this dynamic in franchise storytelling
The power of the unseen
As the countdown to Dhurandhar 2 continues, Bade Saab stands as one of Bollywood’s most discussed unseen characters. Whether he turns out to be Major Iqbal, an entirely new entrant, or a composite figure that reframes everything we thought we knew, his eventual reveal carries enormous narrative and commercial weight.
The leaked image of Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal in intense conversation has only deepened the intrigue, reflecting just how invested audiences have become in piecing together this puzzle. For now, the shadow of Bade Saab remains more powerful than any confirmed face could be.
In a landscape where viewers are used to instant answers and bingeable resolutions, Dhurandhar’s choice to make people wait-and think-feels bold. It reminds us that sometimes the most compelling character in a story is the one we cannot quite see, whose presence is felt in every decision, every betrayal, and every whispered name.
When the lights go down on March 19, 2026, audiences will finally discover whether their theories were right, wrong, or nowhere close. Until then, the legend of Bade Saab will continue to grow, one frame, one leak, and one fan theory at a time.
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