Manav Gohil on landing role in ‘Dhurandhar The Revenge’ without audition: 'My prep was like noodles on the go'

As 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' shatters box office records with a staggering Rs. 519 crore haul in just five days, actor Manav Gohil is opening up about the surreal journey of joining the year's biggest blockbuster. Manav Gohil is still processing the scale of the response. The actor, who plays a sharp and composed intelligence officer in the film, admits the moment hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Now, as the film goes viral globally, Gohil admits he is still "counting his blessings" while processing the magnitude of the film's success. Now, as the film goes viral globally, Gohil admits he is still "counting his blessings" while processing the magnitude of the film's success.Dhurandhar 2 Movie ReviewIn an conversation with India Today, Gohil shared, “I’ll be very honest. No, it hasn’t sunk in. Even as we speak, I’m still getting to know the magnitude of the success this film is drawing. The number of calls I’ve received in the last two or three days from Canada and North America, it’s crazy. I don’t think I’ve received these many calls even on my birthday.” For Gohil, the joy goes beyond personal achievement. “People are so excited, and they’re proud, not just of me, but of the film. It’s overwhelming. I’m still trying to gauge how deep this success goes,” he shared with India TodayUnlike the usual casting process, Manav's entry into ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ happened without auditions or elaborate discussions. Recalling the moment, he said, “It was never really a choice in the first place. I was holidaying with my family in Mussoorie when Mukesh called and asked if I had dates. I said yes, and he said, ‘Bangkok jaana hai.’ That was it. There was no audition. I didn’t know what the film was, who the director was, nothing.”The spontaneity of it all still surprises him. “It was bizarre. I was almost brought in last minute. On one hand, I didn’t know if I was right for it, and on the other, they hadn’t seen me test for it. But things fall into place in strange ways. Here I am now, just counting my blessings.”With limited prep time, Gohil relied heavily on director Aditya Dhar’s guidance to shape his character. “My prep was like noodles on the go,” he joked. “I got the script, we did readings, and Aditya would guide me constantly - ‘keep it very intellectual, very calm, very composed.’ Whenever I tried to add more, he’d trim it down.”Gohil added that understanding an intelligence officer's mindset came down to subtle cues. “They told me these officers are so sharp that they can laugh, eat a samosa, talk casually, but still know what’s happening behind the wall.”Sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh gave Gohil a chance to witness the actor’s layered performance. “As Hamza, he was very restrained - economical with expressions, but extremely intimidating. Just his presence was enough,” he said.Gohil also noted the transformation over time. “Later, when we shot the training portions, I saw a completely different side, a boy seeking validation, hungry to learn. Over time, that transitioned into a raw, lethal force.”Working alongside R Madhavan turned out to be one of the most enriching parts of the experience. “It was a complete treat,” Gohil said. “Madhavan is incredibly intelligent and perceptive. During readings, he’d suggest, ‘Can we change this one word?’ or ‘Let Manav say this line instead?’”He added, “He’s been like an elder brother, sometimes even hand-holding me and saying, ‘Relax, go easy.’ I followed him to the tee. We struck a great bond, and we’re still in touch.” Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie has raked in over Rs 519 crore at the box office in five days of its release, including collections from the paid previews. The movie is expected to break records and set a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, the movie was released in theaters on March 19, 2026.