Dhurandhar 2: How Jaskirat Singh Rangi's story shapes heart of the film

Dhurandhar: The Revenge was set to take a superb opening at the box office simply because of the expectations set by the first part. A major reason why the sequel exceeds these expectations is the emotional depth Jaskirat Singh Rangi's story adds to Hamza's fire.

A major doubt after watching the teaser and trailer of Dhurandhar: The Revenge was why Jaskirat Singh Rangi was being given so much hype. Would this backstory of Hamza Ali Mazari’s original identity have any impact on what drives the character in the story’s present timeline? Was there a reason why this spotlight was being given to what seemed like a small flashback? The answers become clear, and this backstory helps Dhurandhar: The Revenge pass with flying colours.

The sequel to the all-time blockbuster, Dhurandhar, has stormed the box office across the nation. Dhurandhar: The Revenge is shattering many, if not all, box office records set in Indian cinema’s history. However, the best part is that it is not just about the money and entertainment value, but also about the quality of the content being served. Among many other things, one aspect that adds more value to the film—something that was missing in the first part—is the depth and emotional identity given to Ranveer Singh’s character.

When director Aditya Dhar introduced Hamza Ali Mazari, we knew he was a spy—recruited by R Madhavan’s Ajay Sanyal to go undercover and infiltrate the underworld of Pakistan. We caught glimpses of his love for the country and the drive he carries to complete his mission, and that, along with Ranveer’s performance, was enough for the masses to like his character. However, the shroud of mystery did take away some of the spotlight from him.

Who is he? Where does he come from? Why was he a death row inmate? And if it was simply about turning criminals into ‘Dhurandhars’, why is Hamza so deeply devoted to the nation? The mystery surrounding his character gave rise to many such questions, adding intrigue while also keeping the audience at a distance. With Jaskirat Singh Rangi’s story serving as the first chapter of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the makers immediately lift this shroud of mystery, instantly adding emotional depth to the story of Hamza’s rise to power in Lyari. A still of Hamza Ali Mazari from the trailer of Dhurandhar: The Revenge

So what does Jaskirat Singh Rangi bring to the table? Clarity about his mental state. We knew he was fuelled by rage—where that rage comes from is now answered. We come to understand the character—his upbringing, his situation, his story—which builds familiarity with him. Without this, Hamza would have remained a unidimensional character, a spy like any other, someone one might appreciate for the mission but not truly empathise with.