Dhurandhar: The Revenge may be led by Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, but several supporting actors have left a strong impression on audiences. One surprising standout is celebrity fitness trainer Mustafa Ahmed, who plays Ranveer’s loyal ally, Rizwan Shah.
What makes his performance even more impressive? He had no acting background before this.
From fitness coach to scene-stealer
Mustafa Ahmed is best known in Bollywood as a top fitness coach, having trained actors to achieve intense, on-screen physiques. Acting was never part of his plan—until Dhurandhar came along.
Director Aditya Dhar spotted potential in him and cast him as Rizwan Shah, an intelligence operative and a trusted ally to Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari.
His role in the film
In the film, Rizwan stands firmly by Hamza’s side, helping him take down enemies listed in his diary. From planning missions to backing him up in dangerous situations, Rizwan proves to be a key support system throughout the story.
One of his most memorable moments comes during a high-octane action sequence, where he provides cover fire while Hamza chases down Major Iqbal, played by Arjun Rampal.
A familiar face behind the scenes
Before stepping in front of the camera, Mustafa had already worked closely with several Bollywood stars behind the scenes.
He has trained actors like:
Hrithik Roshan
Yami Gautam
Vicky Kaushal
He also helped Ranveer Singh transform into Alauddin Khilji for Padmaavat.
Interestingly, Mustafa had a small appearance in the first Dhurandhar film, but in the sequel, his role was expanded with much more screen time.
A heartfelt thank you
After receiving praise for his performance, Mustafa took to social media to thank Aditya Dhar for believing in him. He shared that the director saw something in him that he himself wasn’t aware of, and gave him the opportunity to explore it.
The bigger picture
Dhurandhar: The Revenge also features a strong ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, and Gaurav Gera.
But among all the seasoned performers, Mustafa Ahmed’s journey—from training stars to sharing the screen with them—has clearly struck a chord with audiences.
The takeaway
Mustafa Ahmed’s transition from fitness trainer to actor is a reminder that talent can come from unexpected places. With his confident screen presence and impactful role, he’s proven that sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to surprise everyone—including yourself.