Review: Dhurandhar: Subtle But Strong

 

Movie: Dhurandhar
Rating: 3.25/5

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Rajat Bedi, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and others

Director: Aditya Dhar

Produced By: Jio Studios, B62 Studios

Release Date: 05-12-2025

Story:

After a series of terrorist attacks in India planned by Pakistan, including the 2001 Parliament assault, IB Chief Ajay Sanyal (Madhavan) comes up with a bold plan to weaken the enemy by targeting its criminal network. To carry out this dangerous mission, he recruits a man who takes on the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh).

Performances:

Ranveer Singh delivers a performance very different from his usual energetic roles. He stays true to the character throughout and brings strong emotional depth. Akshaye Khanna gets the most crucial role, and he is fantastic from start to finish. He completely owns his part. Sanjay Dutt also gets a good role and leaves strong impression. Rajat Bedi also makes a strong impact. R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun perform very well despite having limited screen time.

What Works:

Director Aditya Dhar once again brings the spy genre to life. Even though Bollywood has explored this space many times, he presents the raw and intense realities of spies who put everything on the line for their country. His dedication to his vision is clearly visible. He boldly showcases the darker side of Pakistan, including violent gang wars and the brutal nature of certain groups.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its powerful cast and well-written characters that keep the audience hooked. Whether the characters are positive or negative, the audience stays involved in their journey. The first half is more detailed and layered, while the second half picks up pace and becomes more intense.

What Doesn't Work:

However, the film does feel a bit long, running three hours and thirty-four minutes. Some scenes, especially the graphic ones with bloodshed and bullet wounds, linger for too long and may not appeal to everyone.

Dhurandhar Review and Verdict:

Aditya Dhar delivers an impressive spy drama with Dhurandhar. While the film may face some uneven moments that disrupt its flow, it ultimately shines through powerful acting, heartfelt emotion, and genuine storytelling.