at a time when Dhurandhar 2 Not only dominating the domestic box office but also earning impressive overseas, actor Manav Gohil finds himself in disbelief.

The film, which has sparked conversations about scale, storytelling and even the future syntax of mainstream Hindi cinema, has put Gohil, who plays a laid-back and savvy intelligence officer, firmly in the spotlight. But the moment is still sinking in for the actor.

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“I’ll be very honest. No, it hasn’t sunk,” Gohil said. “As we speak, I’m still coming to terms with the magnitude of the success this film is getting. The amount of calls I’ve gotten from Canada and North America in the last two or three days is crazy. I don’t think I’ve gotten that many calls even on my birthday.”

However, what stands out before them is not just individual recognition, but collective pride. He said, “People are very excited, and they are proud not only of me, but also of the film. It’s overwhelming. I’m still trying to understand how profound this success has been.”

A role that came without any planning

Gohil’s entry into an industry where casting often involves multiple rounds of auditions and negotiations stalwart It almost seems like a twist of fate.

“It wasn’t really an option at first. I was holidaying with my family in Mussoorie when Mukesh (Chhabra) called and asked if I had dates. I said yes, and he said, ‘Bangkok have to go.’ that was it. There was no audition. I didn’t know what the movie was, who the director was, nothing,” he recalled.

The simplicity of that decision still surprises him. He said, “It was strange. I was brought in almost at the last minute. On one hand, I didn’t know if I was right for it or not, and on the other, they didn’t see me testing for it. But things happen in strange ways. Now I’m here, just counting my blessings.”

With little time for conventional preparation, Gohil played his character in bits and pieces, almost entirely guided by director Aditya’s vision.

“My preparation was like noodles on the go,” he said with a laugh. “I got the script, we did readings and Aditya kept guiding me – ‘Keep it very intellectual, very quiet, very restrained.’ Whenever I tried to add more, he would shorten it.”

To understand the psyche of an intelligence officer, the actor resorted to subtle behavioral cues. He said, “He told me that these officers are so sharp that they can laugh, eat samosas, talk casually, but still know what is happening behind the walls. That really stuck with me.”

Without a definitive explanation of his own, Gohil chose accuracy over improvement.

He said, “I followed Aditya even for small things – like changing his gaze. I used to ask, ‘Does this work for the character?’ He used to say, ‘Give me 3 out of 10.’ It was so subtle. Honestly, this character is completely his.

Witness the transformation of Ranveer Singh

have worked closely with Ranveer Singh in different shooting schedulesGohil had a front row seat to the changes in the actor’s arc. “As Hamza, he was very restrained – economical in expression, but extremely intimidating. Just his presence was enough,” he said.

But what stood out was evolution over time. He further added, “Later, when we shot the training portions, I saw a completely different side, a boy looking for recognition, hungry to learn. Over time, he transformed into a raw, lethal force.”

Shot over nearly two years, the film allowed that change to slowly unfold. He said, “We could see that growth in all the programs. It was very clear, very powerful.”

Lessons from R Madhavan

Working with R Madhavan proved to be one of the most enriching aspects of the project for Gohil.

“It was an absolute gift,” he said. “Madhavan is incredibly intelligent and perceptive. During the reading, he suggested, ‘Can we change this one word?’ or ‘Let a human say this line instead?’ He and Aditya were in perfect sync.”

Beyond the craft, it was the camaraderie that left a lasting impression. “For me, it was overwhelming in the best way. He’s been like a big brother, holding my hand sometimes and saying, ‘Relax, take it easy.’ I followed him to the tee. We developed a great relationship and are still in touch. I have a lot of respect for him.”

The details that define the film

if there is an aspect of Dhurandhar 2 What audiences and critics alike have focused on are the film’s “extreme details”, a phrase that has now taken on a life of its own online.

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For Gohil, that precision was inherent in the writing itself. “The script was so strong that we weren’t struggling with the basics – we were chasing the answers, the nitty-gritty details,” he explains.

He recalled a seemingly innocuous moment to illustrate this point. “There’s a little detail where a character keeps adjusting his slippers just like people used to do in the ’90s. It’s a very small, lively thing. But it adds a lot of authenticity.”

He said, “It’s all Aditya. He’s cool, but also very quirky and creative. There’s a subtle, wacky humor in his narration. You can see it in the script, it’s incredibly layered.”

moments that stand still

Despite being part of a film full of excellent performances, Gohil finds it difficult to pick just one favorite scene. He said, “When Ranveer saw his sister in Pump House, it was an Oscar winner. Very powerful and honest.”

He also pointed to emotional confrontations outside the courtroom. “It really impressed me, the honesty of it, the situation.”

And then there’s that moment before the much-discussed intermission. “The bathroom scene, absolutely amazing. Uzair (who played Pinda) has done a fantastic job.”

Did the cast know about the biggest twist?

For its complete accuracy, Dhurandhar 2 has managed to keep some of its biggest surprises a secret (hint: Rakesh Bedi) – even from its own castmates.

“It was madness,” admits Gohil. “To be honest, I didn’t even know that last part. It was a surprise even to me.”

As Dhurandhar 2 continues its run at the box officeIts impact is being measured not just in numbers but in conversations about storytelling ambition, performance craft and the growing reach of Hindi cinema.

However, for Manav Gohil, the experience remains extremely personal and persistent. He pauses, as if still taking it all in. “I’m still counting my blessings,” she said.