Aditya Dhar’sDhurandharfranchise may boast a lineup of flamboyant antagonists, but it is Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal who quietly lingers in the audience’s memory. Despite minimal footage in the first film, Rampal’s restrained and chilling portrayal of the Pakistani ISI boss established the film’s tone even before its release, particularly through the trailer’s opening sequence.
While Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman Dakait served as the dominant on-screen antagonist with punchy dialogue and spectacle-driven moments, Major Iqbal functioned as the ideological and psychological backbone of the conflict. Dhar’s decision to reveal Rampal’s strongest scene in the trailer proved effective in creating intrigue and long-term recall, even if the character was sparingly used in the narrative.
Rampal’s casting reflects his long-standing ability to convey menace through subtlety rather than exaggeration. Drawing from real-world inspirations, Major Iqbal stands apart from traditional Bollywood villains who rely on theatrical excess. Yet, this very restraint may explain why Rampal, despite his gravitas and a career spanning over two decades, has rarely been offered defining villain roles.
AsDhurandhar: The Revengegears up to explore Ranveer Singh’s Hamza Ali Mazari and his past as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, expectations are high that Major Iqbal will finally take centre stage. How Aditya Dhar resolves Iqbal’s arc could determine whether Arjun Rampal finally gets the iconic antagonist role his filmography has long hinted at.
