Some of Dhurandhar’s most disturbing moments came together only after serious hesitation behind the scenes. One such sequence — involving Ranveer Singh’s Hamza — almost didn’t make it to the screen at all. Actor Naseem, who played Lulli, has now revealed that he initially refused to perform the sexual assault scene when he first read the script.
And it wasn’t because he doubted the story — it was fear.
“I Said I Won’t Do It”
Speaking about the experience, Naseem admitted the scene shook him the moment he read it. The intensity of the moment, combined with the pressure of performing opposite a star he deeply admired, made him step back.
He confessed that he was overwhelmed and nervous, repeatedly thinking about how he could possibly pull off such a disturbing scene with someone like Ranveer Singh. The anxiety was so strong that he told the assistant director he simply couldn’t do it.
At that point, the scene was at risk of being rewritten or dropped entirely.
How Ranveer Singh Changed Everything
That’s when Ranveer Singh personally stepped in.
Before the shoot, Ranveer called Naseem and spoke to him at length. That one conversation, Naseem says, changed his mindset completely. More than reassurances, it was Ranveer’s attitude that made the difference.
According to Naseem, Ranveer never behaved like a “star” on set. There was no hierarchy, no pressure. Instead, he brought warmth, energy, and a sense of safety that instantly put him at ease.
He described how Ranveer’s body language — the hugs, the casual conversations, the grounded presence — helped erase his fear and allowed him to approach the scene purely as an actor.
Shooting the Scene With Care
Once the discomfort dissolved, Naseem focused fully on the character. Ranveer reportedly helped him stay emotionally anchored, guiding him whenever he drifted out of character.
The scene itself was shot twice, with conscious adjustments. In the first take, the character came across as too brutal. The team recalibrated the performance in the second take, ensuring the moment remained unsettling without tipping into excess.
The balance, Naseem said, was crucial — to serve the story without sensationalising the act.
Why Lulli Matters to Dhurandhar
Lulli may appear briefly in Dhurandhar, but his role carries lasting consequences. A member of Babu Dakait’s gang, his actions trigger a chain reaction that reshapes Hamza’s journey in Karachi.
His arc ultimately intersects with Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman Dakait, who kills Lulli publicly in Lyari. Lulli is also tied to the death of Rehman’s son, binding multiple plot threads together.
In terms of narrative impact, the character punches far above his screen time.
Final Words
Naseem’s revelation adds another layer to Dhurandhar’s already intense storytelling. It’s a reminder that powerful scenes aren’t just written — they’re negotiated, nurtured, and made possible through trust.
What almost didn’t happen ended up becoming one of the film’s most haunting moments — not because of shock value, but because of the emotional honesty behind it.
