Content and Characters Are the Real Strength of Cinema, Says Rakesh Bedi, Who Plays ‘Jameel’ in Dhurandhar

Recently released, Dhurandhar has emerged as a major box-office success From viewers to film critics, the movie is being widely praised. The film features a powerful ensemble cast, including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Danish Pandor Among them is a seasoned actor with nearly 45 years of experience in cinema—Rakesh Bedi.

Rakesh Bedi plays the character Jameel in Dhurandhar, and his performance has stood out prominently. In a recent interaction with a media house, he shared his thoughts on the film’s success and the changing landscape of Indian cinema.

Speaking about how success is measured today, the senior actor said that films are often judged only by weekend collections now, whereas he has witnessed a time when movies ran in theatres for years He remarked, Today, we consider only the weekend business as the film’s success But I have seen an era when films used to run in theatres for three or four years.

On His Role in Dhurandhar

Talking about his character, Rakesh Bedi said he feels deeply satisfied with the role. Even after such a long career, receiving this kind of response feels nothing short of a dream for him. People are calling me, messaging me—those who know me and even those who don’t My phone hasn’t stopped ringing for days, he said with a smile.

On Ranveer Singh

Praising Ranveer Singh, Bedi described him as one of the bravest actors of today’s generation. I am a huge fan of Ranveer Singh He has the courage to experiment with different kinds of roles. He doesn’t just chase the ‘hero’ image. In Dil Dhadakne Do, he wasn’t playing a conventional hero, yet his role was unforgettable. That’s the true mark of a real actor.

On Akshaye Khanna

Speaking about Akshaye Khanna, Bedi said that his work speaks louder than words.  Akshaye often sits quietly in a corner on set, and people think he’s aloof—but that’s not true. We were all very social on set—laughing, talking, eating together. The moment the camera turns on, everyone completely immerses themselves in their character.

About the Film Set Atmosphere

Rakesh Bedi also spoke about the respectful and calm environment on the sets. Despite being such a big film, Aditya Dhar never raised his voice at anyone. He explained everything gently and precisely from the monitor. That respect flowed through the entire unit, and its impact is clearly visible on screen.

I Was Advised Not to Be Cast

Bedi revealed that there was pressure on director Aditya Dhar regarding his casting. Aditya was told not to cast me and to go for a bigger, more popular actor It was said that I might not be able to do justice to the role, but Aditya stood firm and said—What I need, only Rakesh Bedi can deliver

Praising Aditya Dhar, Bedi said such directors are rare today—those who stick to their vision without succumbing to pressure. Aditya is not just a brilliant director but also a fantastic writer. The most important thing is that he didn’t add any unnecessary elements—no forced songs, no pointless scenes—just pure storytelling

Reflecting on His Career

Looking back at his long journey, Rakesh Bedi said he never felt bitter about not getting lead hero roles. I did comedy throughout my life because I knew I wouldn’t be offered conventional hero roles, but I never complained. Dhurandhar proves that even a small role can leave a lasting impact.

He also recalled a conversation with Aditya Dhar during Uri: The Surgical Strike (Uri: The Surgical Strike). I had just one scene in Uri, and I gave it my all. That day, Aditya placed his hand on my shoulder and said—‘Rakesh ji, I will repay this’ Dhurandhar is the result of that promise

Message to Young Artists

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Sharing advice for younger actors, Bedi said, Talent is not limited to acting alone. Your behaviour, attitude, and how you handle a scene are all part of your talent. What you do today will define your identity tomorrow.

What Dhurandhar Means to Him

Talking about the film’s significance in his life, Bedi concluded, This film is not just a movie—it’s a reminder of an era where characters, storytelling, and honesty were supreme. Someday, someone will open a shelf and say—look how brilliantly Rakesh Bedi performed in this film For me, that will be the biggest victory.

Star Cast and Box Office Performance

Apart from Rakesh Bedi, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh in the lead, along with Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Danish Pandor. The film has collected ₹37975 crore in just 11 days at the box office and continues to create waves worldwide

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