The success of Dhurandhar since its release on December 5, 2025, has given audiences plenty to talk about, from its gripping storyline to its standout performances. While Ranveer Singh anchors the film as Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, it is Akshaye Khanna’s intense turn as Rehman Dakait that has truly struck a chord with viewers.
Though the story unfolds largely in Pakistan, many may be surprised to know that a significant portion of the film was shot in India. Several key scenes were filmed across Punjab and Chandigarh. One of the most visually striking settings in the movie is Rehman Dakait’s lavish home in Lyari, Karachi. In reality, this iconic location is none other than the historic Lal Kothi in Amritsar, a heritage building known for its old-world charm and architectural beauty.
Deepak Yadav, the caretaker of Lal Kothi, shared interesting insights about the Dhurandhar shoot. He revealed that the film’s team spent two days shooting at the location, with Akshaye Khanna, Ranveer Singh, Saumya Tandon and other cast members present. He also mentioned that Lal Kothi charges Rs 50,000 per day for film shoots and clarified that the property is managed by a Trust and is not privately owned.
An Instagram video showcasing the location caught attention with a caption suggesting that stepping into Rehman Dakait’s world felt closer than expected. The video was captioned as, “Stepping into Rahman Dakait’s territory from DHURANDHAR. Turns out Lyari isn’t that far.”
Here is the video:
Click to watch this video directly on Instagram
Reacting to it, Dhurandhar’s set decorator Silky Pandit expressed gratitude, calling it a blessing to design the house for Akshaye Khanna’s character.
Social media users were quick to admire the setting, with many praising the craftsmanship of the set designers and imagining how magnificent the building must have looked when it was newly built.
Deepak Yadav also shared that Lal Kothi has hosted several film shoots over the years. He recalled movies like Sadiyaan, which featured Rishi Kapoor and Rekha, and added that actors such as Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh had visited the location for shoots last year. Sunny Deol and his son Karan Deol have also filmed there in the past.
In Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, a real-life Pakistani gangster who was ki*led in a police encounter led by SP Chaudhry Aslam. The role of Chaudhry Aslam is portrayed by Sanjay Dutt. The film depicts Rehman Dakait as a key figure involved in supplying arms and explosives to the ter*orists behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, adding another layer of intensity to an already powerful narrative.
Lal Kothi is just amazing, isn’t it?
