Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh Delivers Knockout Punch In Aditya Dhar's High-Voltage Actioner.
Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar’s much-awaited actioner Dhurandhar, also starring Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and R. Madhavan in lead roles, hits and Blockbuster the theatres. At that time ! Planning to watch the film? Check out our review and rating here!
About Dhurandhar
Dhurandhar is a high-octane action drama fronted by Ranveer Singh. Set against major national crises in the 2000s, the film explores the calculated and fearless covert missions spearheaded by India’s Intelligence Bureau Chief, Ajay Sanyal (played by R Madhavan). Marking Singh’s return to the big screen after two years, Dhurandhar arrives as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. But does it live up to the hype and massive budget? Read our review to find out!
Dhurandhar Movie Review: Plot
Ranveer portrays Hamza Ali Mazhari, an undercover agent who infiltrates enemy territory to extract crucial intel on impending terror strikes. From within, he begins dismantling the terror network operating in Lyari (Karachi), one link at a time.
After gaining the trust of gangster Akshaye Khanna's Rehman Dakait, he eventually comes face-to-face with ISI’s Major Iqbal (played by Arjun Rampal), also known as the Angel of Death. Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt portrays former SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan, who takes on the responsibility of cleaning up Lyari.
Will Hamza be caught by Major Iqbal, or will he lose his life in the crossfire of gang wars and political power struggles? How will he survive in enemy territory while keeping his cover intact? These questions are answered in the second half of this slow-burning thriller.
Dhurandhar Movie Review: Performances
Ranveer owns the show as Hamza! He’s brutal, slick and undeniably charming. His long hair and full beard look gives him the raw edge required for the role, and his ability to communicate emotion through his eyes shines yet again. He is a true chameleon when it comes to embodying characters to the T, and Dhurandhar is proof of that.
Sara Arjun, who plays his love interest Yalina Jamil, is decent but doesn’t stand out despite having a meaty part. The noticeable age and height gap between the two is hard to ignore and, honestly, quite distracting.
Akshaye Khanna as Rehman is exceptional. From his very first scene, where he appears as a shattered father whose son has been killed by an enemy, he sets the tone. His violent action sequences are so raw that they leave you uncomfortable in your seat. Once again, he dissolves himself into his character effortlessly, reminding everyone that he is one of the most underrated actors in the Hindi film industry. Arjun Rampal is menacing as Major Iqbal, while Rakesh Bedi does full justice to his role as a scheming politician. Sanjay Dutt brings the signature swag, and his witty one-liners offer humour during the film’s intense moments.
Dhurandhar Movie Review: What Works / What Doesn’t
From the 1999 IC-814 Kandahar hijacking to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Dhurandhar ambitiously tackles some of India’s most volatile national emergencies and pulls back the curtain on the masterminds behind the human bombs and gunmen. But the writing slips in the second half. The climax feels more like an extended warm-up than a payoff, and the ending leaves you craving a far stronger punch. Tighter editing could have easily shaved off minutes, maybe even scenes.
The bigger question, though: why wasn’t this conceived as a web series instead of a 214-minute film split into eight chapters? And if it was going to be a movie this long, the final blow should’ve landed harder. The slow pace may test your patience, and fair warning: the buildup isn’t really worth the wait.
On the brighter side, the casting is pitch-perfect (barring Sara Arjun, of course). Ranveer as Hamza and Akshaye as Rehman are on fire, and the ensemble aligns seamlessly. The background score brings the much-needed adrenaline rush to every action beat. The item number featuring Krystle D’Souza and Ayesha Khan sticks out like a sore thumb. It's flashy but forced.
Dhurandhar Movie Review: Verdict
The Aditya Dhar actioner’s ending doesn’t quite justify its lengthy runtime. However, the adrenaline-pumping set pieces and relentless high-voltage action, paired with a background score that amplifies the drama and keeps the tension from ever dipping, make the ride worth it.
All said, the undisputed highlight of Dhurandhar is Ranveer Singh. Even with a powerhouse ensemble delivering knockout performances, he commands the screen and reminds audiences of his unmatched range after a rather quiet phase in his career. With Dhurandhar, Ranveer delivers a roaring comeback and gives a strong statement to haters who were waiting to watch him fall. Watch out for the sequel!