‘Dhurandhar’ review: It begins with fear, smoke and the kind of silence that follows some terrible explosion. From its very first scene, ‘Dhurandhar’ movie makes it clear; this is not soft easy watch. It is dark, intense, political, and full of danger. Director Aditya Dhar steps into bold territory with this spy thriller that mixes fiction with echoes of real history. By the time the first half ends, the audience is already gripping their seats. By the time it ends, they are already waiting for Part Two.
Made on a massive budget of ₹250 crore, ‘Dhurandhar’ is not just a film, it feels like an event. The excitement around it has grown even stronger after the makers confirmed ‘Dhurandhar Part Two’ will release in March 2026. Going by the response, this franchise has already found its loyal fans.
The story begins with haunting references to two major moments in Indian history; the Kandahar hijack of IC-814 in 1999 and the Parliament attack in 2001. These incidents set the emotional and political tone of the film.
Following these attacks, Indian intelligence starts a secret mission called “Operation Dhurandhar.” For this dangerous task, they send their most fearless undercover agent into Pakistan. That spy is played by Ranveer Singh who crosses the border, changes his identity, and enters the world of crime and politics in enemy territory.
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Once inside Pakistan, the story grows deeper and darker. Ranveer’s character slowly becomes part of the underworld while secretly carrying out deadly missions. Political power games, criminal networks, intelligence traps and betrayals run side by side.
The film is not just about catching terrorists; it is also about how power works behind closed doors, both in politics and in crime. Every major decision has blood on it, and every smile hides a secret.
The biggest strength of ‘Dhurandhar’ is its powerful multi-star cast. Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakat, a feared underworld don, and once again proves why he is one of the most reliable actors in intense roles. Sanjay Dutt appears as Pakistan’s tough encounter specialist, Chaudhary Asmal Khan. His presence is heavy, dangerous, and commanding. R Madhavan plays Ajay Sanyal, a character reportedly inspired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and he brings quiet power and sharp intelligence to the role. Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal is strict, fearless and ruthless.
But the biggest surprise is Ranveer Singh. He plays undercover agent Humza Ali Mazari with such control and intensity that he completely overshadows everyone else. His new look, body language, and emotional control are among the best of his career. Whether he is silent, violent, broken, or powerful, Ranveer holds the screen like a storm that never rests. Newcomer Sara Arjun plays Yamali, the daughter of the Pakistan Prime Minister and Ranveer’s love interest. Their relationship adds an emotional layer to the film though it also becomes one of its weaker parts.
‘Dhurandhar’ is not simple hero-versus-villain story. It is layered with politics, power struggles, grey characters, moral confusion. Aditya Dhar clearly wanted to build complex world rather than a simple action film. The first half is intense but also controlled. The violence is limited, and the story moves steadily.
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Right after the interval, the film turns brutal. The violence becomes sharp, raw and honestly sometimes hard to watch. The storytelling also becomes more complex with sudden twists and shifting loyalties.
The background music by Shashwat Sachdeva plays huge role in film’s impact. The music lifts the action. It deepens the tension. And it helps the audience stay emotionally connected even more during heavy scenes. Without this powerful background score, many scenes would not hit this hard as they do.
However the film is not without flaws. It clearly lacks a strong female presence. Except for Sara Arjun, there are hardly any important women characters. And even her role is not explored deep enough to balance the story emotionally. Love story between Humza and Yamali feels forced at times. And, it does not fully blend with the dark political tone of the film.
There are also a few loose story threads that may leave some viewers confused. Most importantly, Humza’s backstory is not revealed in this part which leaves too many unanswered questions.
With a runtime of three and a half hours, ‘Dhurandhar’ could have easily become boring, but surprisingly, it never does. The screenplay is tightly handled despite the long duration. Every major character gets enough space. The story rarely feels stuck. Being a multi-starrer, the film still manages strong character development which surely is not easy to achieve.
In the end, ‘Dhurandhar’ stands as a political spy thriller that refuses to play safe. It is violent, heavy, confusing at times but deeply gripping. Ranveer Singh delivers a career-defining performance supported well by an outstanding ensemble cast. The film sets up a much bigger story that will continue in Part Two, and that is exactly why it leaves you restless, curious, and eager for what comes next.
For fans of dark espionage dramas, intense performances, and political thrillers, ‘Dhurandhar’ is a powerful cinematic experience and clearly, this is only the beginning.