The shooting of the upcoming Hindi film Dhurandhar 2 has landed in legal trouble after Mumbai Police registered a case over the alleged use of a drone without permission in a high-security area of South Mumbai. The incident took place on February 1 in the Fort area, a sensitive zone where aerial filming is strictly regulated, leading authorities to halt the shoot and initiate action against the production team.
According to police sources, a complaint has been filed against the film’s location manager, Rinku Rajpal Valmiki, for violating security norms by operating a drone without prior approval from the relevant authorities. The case has been registered under Section 233 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with intentional disobedience of legal orders issued by public servants.
Drone allegedly used during shoot with Sanjay Dutt present
The police complaint states that the production team had been filming at the Fort location since the end of January. On February 1, the third day of shooting, the entire unit, including actor Sanjay Dutt, was present on set when a drone was allegedly flown to capture scenes. The use of drones in the Fort area is prohibited due to its proximity to key government offices and other sensitive installations.
Officials claim that no permission had been sought or granted for drone operations at the site. When authorities noticed the drone in the air, they immediately intervened, stopped the shooting, and filed a complaint citing potential security risks. The unauthorised aerial activity reportedly caused concern among local authorities, especially as a sizeable crowd had gathered at the location that day.
Following the complaint, Rinku Rajpal Valmiki was issued a notice and summoned for questioning. After preliminary inquiries, he was released, but the first information report against him remains in force, and further investigation is ongoing. Police have indicated that they are examining whether additional members of the production team may also be questioned as part of the probe.
‘Pakistan street’ set and crowd concerns in Fort area
Adding to the sensitivity of the situation, the complaint mentions that on January 30, the production team had redesigned parts of the Fort area to resemble an old street in Pakistan for the film’s narrative. While the initial days of filming reportedly drew limited attention, the scale of activity increased significantly on February 1, attracting a much larger crowd.
Authorities noted that the combination of a high-security location, a foreign-themed set, a growing crowd, and unauthorised drone use heightened security concerns. This prompted swift action to prevent any potential law-and-order or safety issues. Police sources emphasised that permissions for filming, especially involving drones, are mandatory in such zones and are closely scrutinised to avoid misuse or panic.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues to generate buzz ahead of its release. The film stars Ranveer Singh in the role of Jaskeerat Singh Rangi and is positioned as a high-octane sequel to the earlier hit Dhurandhar. The teaser, released on February 3, is packed with action and violence and reportedly garnered millions of views within hours of its launch.
The film is scheduled to hit theatres on March 19 and is set to clash at the box office with Toxic, starring Yash. While the makers have not issued an official statement on the drone controversy so far, the incident has once again highlighted the strict rules governing film shoots in Mumbai’s sensitive zones and the consequences of bypassing mandatory clearances.
