From ‘Chutki’ to ‘Dhurandhar’: Gaurav Gera Shares Emotional Throwback with Ranveer Singh

December 25, 2025 — In a heartwarming Christmas Day surprise, actor and digital pioneer Gaurav Gera took to Instagram to celebrate a decade-long journey with his Dhurandhar co-star, Ranveer Singh. Sharing a viral throwback from 2015, Gera fondly reminded fans that before they were allies in the high-stakes world of Aditya Dhar’s latest spy thriller, they were a hilarious duo in the world of viral “Vines.”

A Connection Ten Years in the Making

The post, captioned “Hum pehle bhi mile hai… Hamza,” features a series of clips that trace the evolution of their camaraderie. The first video takes fans back to 2015, the height of Gera’s “Shopkeeper” sketches. In the iconic clip, Gera’s beloved character, Chutki, visits a shopkeeper to ask for inner garments.

However, the “twist” Gera refers to in his caption came a few months later when a young, energetic Ranveer Singh stepped into the frame. Donning a wig and a notepad, Singh took over the role of the shopkeeper, perfectly mimicking the dry wit of Gera’s original format. The video was a massive hit at the time, and seeing it resurface in 2025 has triggered a wave of nostalgia among fans.

The ‘Dhurandhar’ Transformation

Fast forward to today, and the duo has swapped comedy for a gritty, realistic espionage drama. In Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, which is currently dominating the box office:

• Ranveer Singh plays Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover Indian agent.
• Gaurav Gera portrays Mohammad Aalam, a middle-aged juice stall owner in Lyari, Pakistan.

Gera’s performance has been a major talking point since the film’s release on December 5. Disguised under heavy prosthetics, a salt-and-pepper beard, and a localized Lyari accent, Gera was so unrecognizable that many viewers didn’t realize it was him until the end credits rolled.

“Chutki Washroom Jayegi?”

Gera shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdote from the film’s narration session. Despite his dramatic physical transformation—which included growing a real full-length beard—Ranveer Singh’s sharp eye never faltered.

“I had grown a full beard and we were sitting for a long narration,” Gera wrote. “During a washroom break, Ranveer came from behind my chair and whispered, ‘Chutki washroom jayegi?’ I was like, ‘Leh! Meri itni beard waste ho gayi!’ That is him—our Hamza. The warm, friendly superstar.”

Breaking the ‘Comedy’ Mold

For Gaurav Gera, Dhurandhar represents a significant career milestone. Known primarily for his legendary role as Nandu in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and his comedic digital personas, this film allowed him to showcase his range as a serious actor.

Gera expressed deep gratitude to director Aditya Dhar and casting director Mukesh Chhabra for looking past his comedic image. “Sometimes an actor gets typecast,” Gera shared in a recent interview. “Dhurandhar allowed me to explore a side of me that viewers hadn’t seen until now.”

As Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking run, the bond between “Hamza” and “Aalam” stands as a testament to the enduring friendships of the film industry.