Blinkit of Balochistan: Bimal Oberoi, Dhurandhar's Shirani, reacts to meme fest

Actor Bimal Oberoi did not see this coming. What began as a supporting role in Dhurandhar has turned into a full-blown internet phenomenon, with his character Shirani – the calm, one-line-speaking fixer – becoming one of the most meme-worthy figures of the year.

From being dubbed the “Blinkit of Balochistan” to “Hamza ka Doraemon,” Shirani’s deadpan efficiency has struck a chord with audiences online. And Oberoi, who has spent decades working behind the scenes and in smaller roles, is now enjoying a wave of unexpected popularity.

“It was really fun, quirky and, honestly, quite hilarious,” Oberoi said, reacting to the meme fest around his character. “Shirani was a serious character in the film. Aditya Dhar and the team had been looking for someone for a long time, and I was very lucky to get it. But during the shoot, not even Aditya, who wrote the script, would have imagined that audiences would give the character such an identity. That just shows how creative and involved our audience is.”

Fans flood Bimal Oberoi with bizarre requests

What followed was an avalanche of messages that blurred the line between fiction and reality. Fans began reaching out to him with bizarre and often hilarious requests, treating Shirani like a real-life problem solver.

“Someone wrote, ‘Sir, mera exam kal hai, maine preparation nahi ki, please mujhe padha dijiye (my exam is tomorrow, I haven’t prepared, please teach me).’ Another said, ‘Sir, cylinder dilwa dijiye (please help me get a gas cylinder).’ Ek ne likha, ‘Sir, main bodybuilder hoon par protein ke paise nahi hain — kuch arrange kar dijiye (I’m a bodybuilder, but I don’t have money for protein — please arrange something),’” he shared.

Oberoi can't stop laughing

The actor admits he’s been thoroughly entertained by it all. "Main apna mobile uthata hoon aur hasta hi rehta Hoon (I pick up my phone and just keep laughing). It just doesn’t stop — it keeps growing. I post one photo and it starts all over again."

The meme universe hasn’t stopped at everyday requests. Shirani has also been inserted into global political scenarios, with users imagining him as the ultimate fixer even for world leaders where Modi is asking him to solve LPG crisis and Trump wants his help with Iran.

“There was one with Trump asking me for ammunition to take care of Iran, and even Iranian leaders were shown asking me for help and Mr S Jaishankar too. Main toh haath jod ke baith jaata Hoon — yeh kahan kahan mera naam joda ja raha hai (I just sit with folded hands — where all is my name being dragged into)?” he said.

Family reacts to his sudden internet fame

At home too, the reaction has been one of amused disbelief. “Even my father looks at these and laughs. He said, ‘Yeh toh socha hi nahi tha ki tere saath aisa bhi hogs (never imagined something like this would happen to you).’”

For Oberoi, the meme wave is more than just fleeting internet fame — it’s a reminder of how deeply audiences engage with characters today. What was written as a restrained, serious role has taken on a life of its own, thanks to the internet’s imagination.

And if the actor’s reaction is anything to go by, he’s enjoying every bit of it — one meme at a time.