Actor Ashwin Dhar, who has been gaining attention for his role as Arshad Pappu in Dhurandhar, has finally addressed the ongoing confusion about his surname and its connection to filmmaker Aditya Dhar. Clearing the air, Ashwin made it clear that despite sharing the same last name, there is no familial relationship between the two.
During a recent media interaction, Ashwin candidly responded to the speculation, saying, “No, no—we are not related at all. If we were related, I would have appeared in Uri, in Article 370, and in the two or three other films they’ve produced. Regarding this film, I was approached by Mukesh Chhabra to take on the role. Mukesh Chhabra—the casting director of the moment—wanted every character to feel real and authentic. He noticed a resemblance between me and the real-life ‘Arshad Pappu’ and called me in. After my screen test, the footage was shown to Aditya, and he felt, ‘This is it—this is my Arshad Pappu.’ That is how I landed the role.”
Ashwin also took a moment to reflect on the cultural bond within the Kashmiri community, adding a heartfelt note beyond the casting story. He shared that while there may be no blood relation, there is a strong sense of unity. “Kashmiris—whether Hindu, Muslim, or Sikh—we all treat one another like brothers. It is a very small community, so there are no barriers between us; the moment we meet, it feels as though we have known each other for ages.”
Talking about the response to his performance, Ashwin expressed gratitude for the overwhelming appreciation coming his way. “It’s coming in the form of pure love. People are really liking it—even though this is a negative character, a gangster, people are truly appreciating me as an actor. They are showering love on the performer behind the role, and it feels absolutely wonderful.” His portrayal of Arshad Pappu, though intense and layered, has struck a chord with audiences who are celebrating the performance beyond the character’s grey shades.
Interestingly, the character has also found a second life on social media. Addressing the meme culture around a particular scene, Ashwin maintained a positive outlook. “Very positively! Extremely positively. That scene is actually real—it’s based on reality. We filmed it to reflect exactly what happened, but people have started treating it like a football game. The upside is that because of this, more people are watching it, and the character is gaining popularity.”
Directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar has emerged as a massive success, reportedly crossing 1600 crore globally. The film’s gritty storytelling and powerful performances have contributed to its international appeal, with Ashwin Dhar’s portrayal becoming one of the standout elements.
As the buzz around Dhurandhar continues to grow, Ashwin Dhar’s clarity and grounded perspective only add to his rising appeal. While the surname confusion may have sparked curiosity, it is his performance that is truly defining his identity in the industry.