The use of Rasputin by Boney M in the climactic scenes of Dhurandhar: The Revenge has turned out to be one of the most discussed aspects of the film. The seemingly out-of-place musical sequence has been found to have deeper narrative layer within the plot of the film.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has garnered considerable attention not only due to the political undertones of the plot but also due to the musical elements of the film.
A turning point with music
The music sequence begins at a crucial point of the film’s climax scenes. In the scenes of interrogation of Hamza played by Ranveer Singh, the situation changes dramatically with the revelation of one of the main antagonists of the film.
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The character of Lt. Gen. Shamshad Hassan, played by Raj Zutshi, is revealed to have been secretly dealing with Israeli agents. This moment of revelation of his character marks the beginning of the music sequence featuring Rasputin.
The timing is deliberate. The song does not merely accompany the scene, it reframes it.
From history to metaphor
The reference draws directly from the life of Grigori Rasputin, a controversial figure in early 20th-century Russia who wielded immense influence over the royal court without holding formal power.
Rasputin’s rise was marked by proximity to power, while his fall exposed the fragility behind that influence. His mythologised death, often described as dramatic and near-supernatural, only added to his legacy as a man who seemed untouchable until he wasn’t.
The film mirrors this arc through Shamshad Hassan. Like Rasputin, he operates from the shadows, commands influence without visibility, and believes himself beyond consequence, until his authority is publicly dismantled.
Irony, rhythm and narrative payoff
The upbeat and celebratory nature of Rasputin is a world away from the somber and serious nature of the scene. This is what makes it ironic as it shows the fall of a powerful character and is scored not with solemnity, but with a track that almost revels in excess and downfall.
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In doing so, the film has taken a tense moment and made it a complex scene of filmmaking.
This is not the first film that has used the song for inspiration for a scene. Agent Vinod was a film that used a variation of Rasputin, highlighting the appeal of the song in a spy film.
