In recent years, Bollywood has moved toward darker and more complex antagonists, and Dhurandhar: The Revenge is one of the strongest examples of this shift. Directed by Aditya Dhar and released in 2026 as the second part of the Dhurandhar film series, the movie attempts to redefine the idea of a villain through the character of Major Iqbal, played by Arjun Rampal. Instead of being a one-dimensional antagonist, Major Iqbal is portrayed as a calculating, emotionally driven and psychologically intense figure.
However, despite the strong build-up and the chilling presence created in the first half of the film, many viewers felt that the character loses some of his power by the time the story reaches its climax. Understanding why this happens requires a closer look at the character arc, the storytelling approach, and the broader structure of the film itself.
The World of Dhurandhar and Why the Villain Matters So Much
The Dhurandhar series is a two-part Hindi spy-action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar, with the second film continuing the story of an undercover Indian intelligence agent operating inside Pakistan. The story is heavily influenced by real geopolitical events, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which gives the narrative an intense emotional background. Because the film focuses on espionage and revenge, the antagonist plays an equally important role as the hero.
In the sequel, Major Iqbal is introduced as a powerful intelligence figure who represents a major threat to the protagonist. The entire tension of the story depends on how dangerous and unpredictable this character feels. That is why the early scenes of the film focus so strongly on establishing his presence. Instead of rushing the introduction, the film builds fear gradually, which initially makes the character extremely effective.
How Arjun Rampal Builds a Menacing Yet Vulnerable Villain
Arjun Rampal’s portrayal of Major Iqbal is widely discussed because it breaks the usual Bollywood villain template. Instead of shouting or behaving dramatically, the character is calm, controlled and emotionally restrained. Reports about the role suggest that Rampal himself found the character emotionally difficult to portray, especially because the story deals with sensitive political and national issues. This emotional conflict adds a sense of realism to the character.
The performance relies more on silence and expression than on dialogue. Major Iqbal appears dangerous not because he speaks loudly, but because he rarely shows emotion. At the same time, the character is not completely cold. There are moments where vulnerability and personal motivation become visible, which makes the villain feel more human. This balance between menace and vulnerability is what makes the first half of the film so compelling.
Why the Character Feels Stronger in the First Half of the Film
One of the biggest strengths of the film is the way Major Iqbal is introduced. In the early scenes, the character is positioned as a powerful strategist rather than just a violent antagonist. The narrative suggests that he is someone who understands the hero’s mindset and is always one step ahead. This psychological tension makes the audience curious about what he will do next.
The trailer and promotional material also focused heavily on the character, describing him as the central force of terror in the sequel. This increased expectations among viewers. When the film begins, those expectations are largely fulfilled. The atmosphere, the background score and the writing all contribute to creating a strong aura around the villain. At this stage, Major Iqbal feels like one of the most dangerous antagonists seen in recent Bollywood films.
Where the Character Arc Starts Losing Its Impact
Despite the strong beginning, the intensity of the character gradually weakens as the film moves forward. One of the main reasons is the shift in narrative focus. Instead of continuing to develop Major Iqbal’s psychology, the story becomes more centred on the hero’s emotional journey. This reduces the screen time and influence of the villain, making him feel less dominant than before.
Many audience discussions online also suggest that the first half of the film is far more gripping than the second half. Viewers appreciated the build-up but felt that the character did not reach the same emotional or psychological peak later in the story. Instead of becoming more threatening, the villain slowly becomes predictable. This change affects the emotional balance of the film, especially in a story where the antagonist is supposed to drive the tension.
The Problem of Expectations in a Two-Part Film
Another important reason the character loses impact is the structure of the film series itself. The first part of Dhurandhar was already known for its strong storytelling and intense villain characters. When the sequel was announced, expectations were naturally higher. Major Iqbal was introduced as someone even more dangerous than the earlier antagonists, which created a lot of excitement among viewers.
However, when a character is built up too strongly at the beginning, the climax must deliver an equally powerful payoff. If the story fails to maintain that intensity, the character may appear weaker than intended. This is exactly what happens here. Instead of finishing with a psychological or emotional climax that matches the early tension, the film shifts more toward large-scale action. As a result, the character feels less complex by the end.
Why Major Iqbal Still Remains One of the Most Interesting Villains in Recent Bollywood Films
Even though the character loses some impact toward the climax, Major Iqbal is still one of the most interesting antagonists in recent Hindi cinema. The role avoids many of the clichés that were common in older action films. Instead of a villain who exists only to be defeated, the character has motivation, emotional conflict and a personal connection to the story.
The film also attempts to humanise the antagonist without making him sympathetic. This is a difficult balance to achieve, but the character manages to remain believable. The performance itself has also received attention because it shows a completely different side of Arjun Rampal as an actor. Rather than relying on style alone, the character depends on psychological intensity, which adds depth to the film.
What This Says About the Changing Role of Villains in Bollywood
The character of Major Iqbal also reflects a larger trend in modern Bollywood storytelling. Villains are no longer written as simple enemies. Instead, they are being given emotional backgrounds, political motivations and psychological complexity. Films like Dhurandhar attempt to show that the conflict between hero and villain is not just physical but also ideological and emotional.
However, this new approach also creates new challenges for filmmakers. When a villain is written as a complex character, the audience expects the arc to remain strong until the very end. If the narrative shifts focus too much toward action or spectacle, the character may feel incomplete. The reaction to Major Iqbal shows that audiences now care about character depth as much as they care about action sequences.
Conclusion
Major Iqbal in Dhurandhar: The Revenge is a character that begins with extraordinary potential. The introduction is powerful, the performance is intense, and the psychological depth makes the villain feel different from traditional Bollywood antagonists. For a large part of the film, the character successfully drives the emotional tension and keeps the audience engaged.
However, as the story approaches its climax, the focus shifts away from the character’s psychological journey, which reduces his overall impact. Even so, Major Iqbal remains a significant step forward in how villains are written in modern Hindi cinema. Instead of being remembered only for action scenes, the character is likely to be remembered for the emotional intensity he brings to the film—especially in the moments where the menace feels disturbingly real.
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