Film Review: Dhurandhar — Ranveer Singh Leads a Gritty, Overlong Thriller That Fires in Bursts

ditya Dhar delivers a sprawling, violent espionage saga powered by Ranveer Singh’s charisma, but weighed down by excess runtime and narrative clutter.

A World Where No One Is Purely Good or Evil

In Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar builds a world where morality is shaded in greys rather than black and white. The story opens with Ajay Sanyal—played by R. Madhavan—recovering from a brutal brush with Kandahar militants. Instead of retreating, Sanyal channels his humiliation into a bold plan: penetrate Pakistan’s terror networks from within. Convincing the Indian government takes two years, signalling both the ambition and danger of what lies ahead.

A New Identity in Karachi’s Underworld

The narrative shifts to Lyari Town, Karachi—a neighbourhood controlled by warring gangs backed by corrupt political powers. Into this violent ecosystem enters a mysterious young Balochi man with a tragic past. His act of saving the son of feared ganglord Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) earns him entry into the gang. Khanna, intense and unpredictable, plays a man whose own rumoured family history fuels his rage.

From then on, the young recruit—now known as Hamza—rises through the ranks by proving his loyalty in increasingly dangerous situations. The world he navigates is unapologetically hyper-masculine, brutal, and foul-mouthed. In lesser hands, the violence might feel gratuitous; Ranveer Singh, however, brings a dangerous magnetism that keeps the viewer invested.

Romance, Politics, and an ISI Chief With Terrifying Charm

Despite the film’s heavy focus on violence and undercover tactics, Dhar injects a romantic thread. Hamza falls for the daughter of a sleazy politician, Jameel Jamali—played with a sly brilliance by Rakesh Bedi. A corrupt cop, SP Chaudhary, enters the story with a massy “South style” introduction that reignites the film’s energy just as it begins to flag.

Aditya Dhar also introduces the ISI’s perspective, led by Arjun Rampal in a striking, if menacing, avatar. Even under prosthetics meant to harden his look, Rampal exudes effortless screen presence.

Twists That Avoid Propaganda and Deliver Punch

When wealthy Pakistani brothers acquire printing plates for Indian currency, the plot teeters dangerously close to political messaging. Surprisingly, Dhar refrains from slipping into propaganda. Instead, the film channels audience anger into a cathartic moment when Hamza confronts a villain celebrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks—a scene that drew audible reactions in theatres.

While many viewers expected a classic Ranveer Singh romance complete with songs, the actor shines most in quieter, grounded moments. His simple warning—“The door is open if that’s what you expect”—earned applause for its understated masculinity.

Ambition Undercut by an Overstuffed Runtime

Clocking in at more than three and a half hours, the film strains under its own weight. Some exposition, particularly the justification for recruiting men with “nothing to lose,” feels tacked on—likely due to real-world controversies surrounding the inspiration for the story and whether permissions were properly obtained.

Still, Dhar crafts an atmospheric, tightly wound universe filled with layered villains, corrupt power structures, and underground warfare. The film’s biggest challenge is not content, but restraint.

Setting Up Part Two — With Plenty of Loose Ends

By the time Dhurandhar ends, several antagonists remain at large, leading into a second installment slated for mid-2026. The unfinished arcs may frustrate some viewers, but they also set the stage for a more focused payoff in the sequel.

Verdict: A Star Who Didn't Need the Excess, but Carries It Anyway

Ranveer Singh didn’t need a hyperviolent epic to reaffirm his stardom—but the near-full theatres on opening day are proof of his pull. Audiences skipped work, bunked classes, and filled seats to cheer for him. Even the brief appearance of Sara Arjun in one of his shirts caused a ripple of envy among the younger crowd.

Dhurandhar is far from perfect, but it is ambitious, stylish, and anchored relentlessly by its lead actor. For fans of dark espionage thrillers, it offers plenty to chew on—if they’re willing to weather its length.