Dhurandhar Review: Well researched and authentic spy drama meant for the big screen
Dhurandhar Movie Rating: 3.5 Stars
Watched Dhurandhar movie in Cinema. Let’s focus on the complete details, story, positive/negatives and at last my view on this movie.
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera and Naveen Kaushik
Director: Aditya Dhar
Release Date: 5th December 2025 in cinemas
Story: Set in the tense aftermath of the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack, movie follows India’s intelligence apparatus as it rushes to prevent another looming terror strike. IB Chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan) deploys undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazhari (Ranveer Singh) on a deep-cover mission into Lyari which is a volatile maze of gangs, political syndicates and ISI-backed operatives.
To penetrate the network, Hamza must win the confidence of notorious gangster Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) and get close to the ruthless ISI officer Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal). Meanwhile, SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan (Sanjay Dutt) intensifies the crackdown on Lyari’s criminal empire.
Operating under a fabricated identity, Hamza faces betrayal, shifting alliances and constant danger as he races to dismantle a terror plot before it erupts into another national crisis.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Cinematography
3. Climax
4. Dialogues
Negatives
1. Length
2. Direction
3. Story
4. Screenplay in 2nd half
5. Music
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this film planned to watch this movie in cinemas on release date as loved the trailer and it’s based on real time incidents. The film is inspired by the real-life incidents, geopolitical conflicts, and covert operations of India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) with local gangs and crime syndicates in the Lyari area of Karachi, Pakistan known as Operation Lyari.
The majority of mainstream Bollywood films in the spy genre have taken a commercial route, with Raazi being one of the few exceptions. Dhurandhar falls into the minority that handles the genre in a realistic, grounded, and intense way, highlighting the risky lives of spies who go to any extent to safeguard the motherland. The story is novel because although it is about the escalating tension between the two neighboring countries, this one gets into the mind of Pakistan. The research and the revelations are praiseworthy. Director Aditya Dhar deserves applause for the approach he has taken and for staying true to his vision throughout. The way he showcases Pakistan’s underworld, the fierce gang wars, and the cruelty of certain groups is impressive. One of the best things is its solid casting and strong characterizations, which add depth and keep the film from feeling like another routine spy thriller. Both halves have plenty of moments that make the film worth the ticket price. The drama is well-built from the beginning, following the journeys of multiple characters. The action sequences are brutal, enhancing the film’s realism. Structured across multiple chapters, the world-building is deliberate and immersive, pulling you into a gritty, violent universe that unfolds over nearly 3.5 hours. Yet, the runtime rarely feels overbearing thanks to Dhar’s stylish, tight storytelling. The music and background score weaving 70s and 80s Bappi Lahiri classics into modern soundscapes are a triumph. They elevate the narrative and maintain the film’s relentless pulse. Though marketed as a spy thriller echoing the classic RAW vs ISI conflict, at its core, it is more of a Godfather-Esque saga set in Karachi’s underbelly a world clearly designed to expand into a trilogy. There is a second part as well, and the solid ending only increases curiosity for the sequel.
Every actor delivered a phenomenal performance. The show-stealers, however, are Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. Ranveer’s role as Hamza requires restraint, and he nails it completely. When he explodes, he sets the screen on fire with his intense action avatar. At times, Akshaye Khanna takes center stage, and Ranveer shows his security as an actor by respecting the script. Akshaye Khanna’s commanding screen presence and majestic portrayal dominate every frame, making him one of the film’s biggest assets. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and others provide excellent support. The soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev is pretty good, and the background score is scintillating, elevating the electrifying moments. Vikash lakha’s cinematography is solid, effectively capturing the film’s intense mood. The dialogues, depicting patriotism, betrayal, and the psychology of fear, prove to be the backbone of the film.
The runtime is very lengthy, and this might not sit well with everyone. Some scenes and the marriage song in the second half, involving Ayesha Khan, could have been trimmed for more impact. Audiences who enjoy geopolitics, spy thrillers, and heavy political drama will stay hooked, but those looking for a quick entertainer might find the length challenging. It requires patience. The narrative takes too long to arrive at its emotional core, the second half meanders, and several arcs seem deliberately postponed for a future instalment. The tension deflates in intervals when it should tighten. Scenes linger beyond necessity, subplots multiply, and momentum sputters in places where it should accelerate. The ambition is admirable, the execution uneven. In some places, the narrative seems a bit dry and stretched. Hence, there are moments where the audience, especially the masses, would lose interest. Also, it’s a two-part saga and a section of the audience might have reservations over the fact that despite such a lengthy run time, the story is far from over. The other issue with the film is the romantic track. The manner in which the girl of a politician runs away while the politician looks the other way is hard to digest.
Overall, movie is a gripping spy action thriller that is both earthy and intense. The film has enough meat to keep us invested for the most part, while compellingly narrating the tale of a spy inspired by real events. It is a brilliant, mind-boggling triumph-a masterly thriller which mixing the elements of intensity, emotion, scale and great finds of the cast of the movie. It is an experience meant for the big screen. If you love action, emotion, and stories that celebrate India’s spirit, and this film is unmissable. My view on this film Highly Recommended. The action hasn’t ended even after 3.5 hours of runtime. Be prepared for a sequel come on 19th March 2026 where we will get to see the backstory of Ranveer Singh’s character and his revenge against the people who have wronged India.
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