When the first look of R Madhavan as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval dropped, the internet did a double take.
Clad in a crisp suit, wearing dark-rimmed glasses, and sporting the signature mustache — R Madhavan looks almost indistinguishable from the real Doval. The transformation is so lifelike that fans, critics, and even intelligence officers are talking. But behind this jaw-dropping makeover is the genius of one man — Kunal Dhurandhar.
Let’s dive into how Dhurandhar, a master of makeup and prosthetic design, helped Madhavan slip seamlessly into the skin of one of India’s most secretive and powerful men.
The Biopic That’s Making Noise
The upcoming biopic on Ajit Doval, India’s legendary National Security Advisor, has been under the radar for a while. But the first look of R Madhavan has changed everything. With sharp features, body language, and expressions that mirror Doval’s, fans are already calling it the “most convincing transformation in Indian cinema”.
And the buzz isn’t just about Madhavan’s acting — it’s about how real he looks.
Enter Kunal Dhurandhar: The Man Behind the Transformation
Kunal Dhurandhar isn’t just a makeup artist — he’s a sculptor of identity. Known for his detailed prosthetic work and cinematic vision, Dhurandhar has a reputation for transforming stars into history.
✅ Who Is Kunal Dhurandhar?
- A veteran prosthetic and special effects makeup designer.
- Known for blending realistic texture, tone, and facial restructuring to match real-life characters.
- Has worked on major Bollywood transformations, but this might be his most iconic yet.
“To turn R Madhavan into Ajit Doval was not just about applying makeup — it was about absorbing a personality,” Dhurandhar said in an interview.

Why Everyone’s Talking About the Madhavan-Doval Look
🔍 Hyper-Realism
From the age lines around the eyes, to the precise hairline, and even Ajit Doval’s posture — every detail has been recreated with military precision.
🧠 Psychological Depth
Dhurandhar’s prosthetics didn’t just enhance features — they enabled Madhavan to inhabit Doval’s aura: calculated, calm, and always observing.
🎭 Minimal CGI, Maximum Craft
In a time when digital tools dominate, Dhurandhar’s handcrafted realism is being praised by industry insiders.
What Fans Are Saying
💬 “I had to zoom in — is that Madhavan or Ajit Doval himself?”
💬 “Dhurandhar deserves a National Award just for this look!”
💬 “This is not makeup. This is magic.”
Why This Biopic Matters
Ajit Doval, often called India’s James Bond, is known for his role in:
- Surgical strikes
- Anti-terror operations
- National security policy
- Secret missions inside enemy territories
Playing such a figure requires more than acting—it needs transformation. And Dhurandhar has delivered exactly that.

Final Thoughts: A New Era of Biopic Realism
This isn’t the first time Bollywood has attempted a biopic—but this is the first time it feels real enough to blur fact and fiction. R Madhavan’s transformation into Ajit Doval is now being called a benchmark for cinematic makeup in India.
And the credit, in large part, goes to Kunal Dhurandhar, the quiet craftsman behind the mask.
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