Actor Arjun Rampal recently revisited the traumatic memories of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, revealing how the experience deeply impacted him and later shaped his approach to filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The film, which draws from the devastating events of 26/11, became intensely personal for the actor, who described his involvement as a form of “revenge.”
Speaking at a recent event, Rampal recalled that he had witnessed the horrifying night firsthand in 2008. He shared that he was out to pick up friends and was heading towards the Taj Hotel to celebrate his birthday when the first signs of chaos unfolded. “I heard that sound and the whole glass kind of shook and rattled, and we were like, ‘What the hell was that?’” he said. Within minutes, confusion escalated as calls started pouring in, with people initially assuming it was a gang war in Colaba.
As the situation worsened, the gravity of the attacks became clear. Rampal revealed that within 20–30 minutes, the hotel he was at was completely sealed off for safety. He recalled how they were not allowed to leave, adding, “Within 10 minutes, our phones started ringing… In 20–30 minutes, the entire Four Seasons hotel was cordoned off.” He also mentioned that Adarsh Jatia offered him a suite for the night, ensuring their safety as the city remained under siege.
Reflecting on those terrifying moments, Rampal said that working on Dhurandhar allowed him to channel those emotions. The film, starring Ranveer Singh alongside him, portrays the aftermath and larger context of the attacks. For Rampal, stepping into his role wasn’t just acting—it was a deeply emotional journey rooted in real-life trauma.
He ultimately described the project as cathartic, stating that being part of the film felt like a personal mission—his way of responding to the horrors he had witnessed that night.
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