In a development that has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, the “Aditya Dhar Cinematic Universe” is officially expanding. Reports confirm that Vicky Kaushal will return to the silver screen as Major Vihaan Shergill, the legendary protagonist from the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike. This time, he joins the high-octane world of Dhurandhar 2, the sequel to Ranveer Singh’s 2025 action-thriller.
According to a report by Mid-Day, the collaboration marks a historic crossover in Bollywood. While fans originally viewed Uri and Dhurandhar as standalone military and espionage dramas, director Aditya Dhar is now bridging the gap between these two worlds.
Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Major Vihaan Shergill redefined the military action genre in India, earning him a National Film Award and cementing his status as a leading man. In Dhurandhar 2, Kaushal does not lead the film but appears in what insiders describe as a “heavily impactful extended cameo.”
Despite the separate timelines—Uri being set in 2016 and Dhurandhar occupying a more contemporary landscape—Aditya Dhar has reportedly found a creative way to integrate the characters. Sources suggest that Vihaan Shergill’s presence serves as a bridge for a larger covert operations unit, potentially setting the stage for future spin-offs.
“Aditya has been tight-lipped about the star power he is adding to Dhurandhar 2,” a source told Mid-Day. “The director has smartly woven in a track from Uri despite the difference in the two stories’ timelines. The cameo includes a few significant action blocks that will leave the audience roaring.”
The decision to bring back Major Vihaan is more than just fan service; it is a strategic move to build a sustainable cinematic franchise. By linking the discipline of the Indian Army (Uri) with the gritty underworld of covert espionage (Dhurandhar), Dhar is creating a multi-layered narrative tapestry.
The reports indicate that Kaushal actually filmed his sequences last year, well before the first Dhurandhar hit theaters. This forward-thinking production style allowed the director to plant subtle seeds in the first film that will now blossom in the sequel. While it remains unclear if Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari, will directly share the screen with Major Vihaan, the mere existence of both characters in the same world raises the stakes for the franchise.
While Vicky Kaushal adds significant “star power,” the sequel already boasts one of the most formidable ensembles in recent years. The film features a “Clash of Titans” dynamic, with veteran actors and modern superstars sharing the frame.
- Ranveer Singh: Leading the narrative as the undercover agent with a vengeful streak.
- Sanjay Dutt: Portraying the menacing SP Chaudhary Aslam.
- R. Madhavan: Bringing intellectual gravitas as Ajay Sanyal.
- Arjun Rampal: Returning as the sleek and dangerous ISI Major Iqbal.
- Akshaye Khanna: Appearing in pivotal flashback sequences that connect the past to the present.
- Sara Arjun: Continuing her journey as Yalina Jamali.
The “extended cameo” for Vicky Kaushal is not merely a dialogue-heavy appearance. The production team has designed specific “action blocks” for Major Vihaan, ensuring that fans of the original Uri get to see the character in his element once more.
Insiders suggest that these sequences involve tactical combat and high-tech weaponry, aligning with the “Dhurandhar” style of modern warfare. The cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha and a pulse-pounding score by Shashwat Sachdev are expected to elevate these moments into theatrical highlights.
The marketing campaign for Dhurandhar 2 officially kicks off this week. Fans heading to theaters to watch Sunny Deol’s Border 2 on January 23, 2026, will be the first to witness the Dhurandhar 2 teaser.
The teaser, which has received a U/A certificate from the CBFC with a runtime of 1 minute and 48 seconds, is expected to provide the first visual hint of the Uri connection. The film itself is slated for a grand pan-India release on March 19, 2026, where it will face a significant box-office showdown with Yash’s Toxic.
Aditya Dhar continues to prove that he is a visionary director capable of balancing grounded realism with massive cinematic scale. Whether this cameo leads to a full-fledged Uri 2 or a collaborative team-up film remains the industry’s biggest mystery.
