Indian cinema has spent years chasing the perfect patriotic spy thriller, jumping from gritty realism to high voltage melodrama.
After watching films like Akshay Kumar’s Baby to YRF’s Spy Universe movies, I thought I had seen every shade of the genre.
Then comes Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, a massive 3 hour 34 minute spectacle that throws itself straight into the blaze of espionage and nationalism.
It also marks Ranveer Singh’s awaited return after a two year break.
The question buzzing across early screenings and social media is simple. Last few days were full of chaos for makers due to variosu reasons! But does the film burn bright or burn out?
Check my Dhurandhar Review covering Ranveer Singh’s gripping performance, high octane action and the film’s marathon runtime.
Dhurandhar Review:
Story: A High Stakes Rooted in Real Tension
Dhurandhar is a fictional espionage drama, loosely inspired by real covert operations and national tragedies.
The plot travels through the shadows of the 1999 IC 814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack.
At the center is Ranveer Singh, a daring RAW officer sent deep into Pakistan’s criminal maze.
Guided by Intelligence Bureau chief Ajay Sanyal, portrayed by R. Madhavan, Mohit dives into Lyari’s brutal gang turf, survives deadly ISI traps, and uncovers a network tied to groups like Jaish e Mohammed and Lashkar e Taiba.
His mission glides through betrayal, revenge, ambiguous loyalties and an emotionally charged personal life.
The cast brings serious firepower. Arjun Rampal is a dangerous yet charismatic Pakistani operative.
Akshaye Khanna appears as a sharp strategist who may or may not be trustworthy.
Sanjay Dutt, despite brief screen time, adds weight as a seasoned veteran.
Sara Arjun plays the emotional anchor in Mohit’s stormy journey.
Though the film is not a biopic, it acts as a tribute to unsung intelligence heroes.
Dhar mixes realism with theatre sized patriotism, building momentum like a pressure cooker.
The finale blends actual footage with frenetic action, which is gripping but occasionally leans on familiar India versus Pakistan tropes.
What Works: Performances, Action and Patriotic Pulse
Ranveer Singh’s Electrifying Comeback
Ranveer’s return has been hyped for months, and he delivers a powerhouse act.
His portrayal of Mohit is intense, wounded and ferocious.
Scenes involving torture, breakdowns and raw vulnerability have already sparked huge chatter on X, where many call it his best performance so far.
It feels like a reminder of the actor who once roared through Bajirao Mastani.
Action Scenes and Background Score That Hit Hard
The action design is sleek, muscular and relentless.
Whether it is the claustrophobic hand to hand combat sequences, the snowy infiltration scenes in Ladakh or the violent street battles in Lyari, every set piece feels polished and theatrical.
Special mention of Shashwat Sachdev’s BGM that lifts the tension at every turn. Also his rendition of old Bollywood classics fits the ongoing smoothyly.
The title track, a reimagined version of Na Dil De Pardesi Nu, is already trending among fans.
An Ensemble That Holds Its Ground
Madhavan commands every frame with quiet authority. Rampal’s stylish menace is effective. Khanna brings brainy sharpness.
Dutt leaves an impact even with minimal scenes. Sara Arjun’s emotional arc gives the chaos some heart. Together, they round out Ranveer’s performance with strong support.
A Patriotic Story With Emotional Layers
While the film rides on national pride, it also explores the mental toll of espionage.
It questions what it means to live as a ghost for the nation.
What Falls Short: Length, Gore and Predictable Turns
A Marathon Runtime That Tests Patience
At nearly three hours and thirty four minutes, the film struggles with pacing.
The first half drags with heavy exposition and dialogues full of profanity that feel unnecessary.
Trimming thirty minutes could have created a tighter, more gripping narrative.
Violence That Overwhelms and Familiar Patriotism Tropes
The film does not shy away from blood, torture and brutal executions. Although that matches the setting, some viewers may find it excessive.
The anti Pakistan tone follows the typical blueprint of Bollywood spy dramas, which makes some twists predictable.
Underdeveloped Subplots
Side arcs, including the romantic angle and Sanjay Dutt’s track, feel incomplete.
The script tries juggling too many storylines, which causes dips in momentum.
The teasing of a sequel in the post credit scene also feels slightly rushed.
Hype That Did Not Fully Convert
Despite the star power and heavy promotions, early trade numbers for advance bookings were not very strong.
The trailer sparked debate but did not fully translate into massive pre release buzz.
Technical Breakdown
Aditya Dhar aims high with Dhurandhar. His direction mixes psychological weight with crowd pleasing spectacle.
The cinematography captures everything from Mumbai’s grime to recreated Pakistani landscapes in Thailand with sharp detail, though certain frames feel too desaturated in an attempt to appear gritty.
Editing remains the weakest link, especially in dialogue heavy sections.
Sachdev’s music score is a highlight while the remixed singles occasionally disrupt mood. Visual effects support explosions and spy tech convincingly, and the real footage in the climax blends in smoothly.
IMAX sound design boosts the overall immersion, despite some hiccups in the overseas prints.
Final Verdict: Worth the Experience but Bring Patience
Dhurandhar aims for the stars and reaches most of them, yet its excesses hold it back from greatness.
Ranveer carries the film with a fierce performance and Dhar delivers moments that genuinely thrill.
For fans of big screen action and patriotic storytelling, this is a treat worth catching in theatres.
For viewers who prefer tighter pacing or lighter themes, waiting for the OTT cut might be wiser.
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5. Watch it for Ranveer. Save the samosas because you will need the stamina for this cinematic marathon.
Lead Image: Jio Studios, BH
Also Read:
Dhurandhar Cast Fees Revealed: Ranveer Singh Tops!
Dhurandhar Post Credit Scene, Runtime, And Pre Sales Create Major Buzz Before Release