The moment Dhurandhar opened in theatres on 5 December 2025, expectations were sky-high. Its director Aditya Dhar — known for delivering intense patriotic dramas — promises a deeply political, crime-laced journey inspired (loosely) by covert operations and real world events. What unfolds on screen, though not flawless, is ambitious, brutal, and at times, heartbreakingly real .
Click to Watch Trailer – Dhurandhar Movie Trailer
📽️ The Big Picture: Scope & Structure
- Dhurandhar is a sprawling spy-action thriller with a runtime of 214 minutes, which makes it one of the longest Hindi films in recent years.
- It is structured as the first part of a two-part duology — with the second instalment slated for March 19, 2026.
- The film unfolds across decades and geographies, blending intelligence-agency espionage, underworld gang wars, and geopolitics. The canvas is massive — and so is the ambition.
This grand scale allows Dhar to weave multiple threads — betrayal, political machinations, personal loss — but also makes the film exhaustingly long. The pacing sometimes drags, and not all narrative lines get the attention they deserve.
The Lead: Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh anchors the film as a RAW agent — with conviction, grit, and a raw emotional intensity. His presence lends gravitas to the bigger-than-life violence, spy-craft, and moral ambiguity that the film demands. For many sequences — especially action scenes and undercover ops — he delivers what is needed: a mix of controlled fury and anguish.
But here’s the thing: given the ensemble and the layered characters, sometimes Ranveer’s “hero” persona feels restrained by the weight of the story. The film often sidelines the typical Bollywood hero arc — in favour of realism, ambiguity, and moral grey zones.
The Show-stealer: Akshaye Khanna
If Ranveer provides the spine, Akshaye Khanna supplies the muscle and soul. As the character embroiled in the murky underbelly of gang politics — torn, complex, unpredictable — Khanna brings subtlety and internal conflict that elevates the film. Multiple critics and early reviews note that while the film “belongs” to Ranveer, the most compelling, layered — even haunting — performance often comes from Akshaye.
He doesn’t roar; he simmers. He doesn’t deliver bombastic monologues; he delivers heavy silences. And in a film that thrives on moral ambiguity, betrayal, and pain, that control becomes haunting.
Themes & Real-World Resonance
Dhurandhar attempts to channel real-world geopolitics, covert operations, and the human cost of war, espionage and gang warfare. It’s less about black-and-white heroism and more about the murkiness of moral decisions made under pressure.
Given this complexity, Dhurandhar doesn’t always offer easy catharsis. Instead, it leaves you unsettled; at times moved, other times disturbed. That — in itself — is a bold creative choice.
What Works
- The scale and ambition — both technical (cinematography, sound, action set-pieces) and narrative.
- Strong performances across the board, especially by Ranveer and Akshaye.
- Willingness to embrace moral complexity — no neat endings, plenty of grey zones.
- Raw, gritty realism: violence isn’t glamorised; it carries weight, consequences.
What Doesn’t
- At 214 minutes (plus a post-credits hint at the sequel), the film sometimes overstays its welcome. It demands patience — and for some, that may be a lot.
- Some plot threads feel underdeveloped; pacing lags between major set-pieces.
- The tonal shift between spy thriller, political drama, and gang-war saga can feel uneven.
Verdict
Dhurandhar isn’t a comfortable blockbuster. It isn’t designed for escapism. It is a tough, haunting ride through the shadows of war, politics and the human cost of espionage and betrayal.
Ranveer Singh leads with conviction — but honestly, Akshaye Khanna rules the battlefield, not with noise or bombs, but with quiet intensity, anguish, and moral weight.
If you’re ready for a long, layered, brutal thriller that doesn’t spoon-feed you patriotism or easy heroes, Dhurandhar is a ride worth taking.
