Dhurandhar Movie Review (2025) — Ranveer Singh’s Intense Spy Saga With Heart and Fury
When a film carries as much anticipation as Dhurandhar, expectations run high not just for high-octane action and star power, but for story and emotional resonance. In this Dhurandhar movie review, I’ll walk you through the film’s storyline, direction, cast performances, music, technical craft, and my own honest take on whether it ultimately connects or falls short.
Directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring a heavyweight cast led by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, Dhurandhar is one of the most ambitious espionage thrillers Bollywood has delivered in years.
What Dhurandhar Is About — Story Summary
Set against real geo-political tensions spanning from the Kandahar hijacking in 1999 to the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, Dhurandhar traces how covert intelligence operations evolve into a major counter-terrorism mission.
The film follows Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh), a complex undercover agent who infiltrates dangerous criminal networks in Pakistan. Through his journey, we witness:
- A carefully built web of alliances and betrayals
- The brutal rise of gangster Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna)
- High-stakes spycraft and hidden loyalties
- The moral cost of espionage on both sides of the border
At its core, Dhurandhar isn’t just about action it’s about identity, divided loyalties, survival and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance.
Meet the Cast — Performances That Carry the Film
Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazari / Jaskirat Singh Rangi
Ranveer anchors the film with a layered performance equal parts intensity, vulnerability and quiet menace. He drives the narrative by grounding the story in emotional texture rather than superficial bravado.
Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait
Akshaye delivers one of his strongest turns in recent memory, portraying Rehman Dakait with seething unpredictability. His interpretation of the underworld kingpin is chilling and believable, elevating the film’s central conflict.
Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam
Sanjay brings gravitas to his role as a no-nonsense seasoned police officer. His scenes balance the film’s darker moments with a grounded worldview shaped by decades of experience.
R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal
Madhavan plays a calm yet firm intelligence chief, orchestrating larger strategic moves behind the scenes. His interplay with the rest of the cast provides thematic depth and narrative balance.
Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun
Arjun adds stoic presence as Major Iqbal, while Sara provides emotional contrast through her nuanced role, becoming key to Hamza’s personal stakes.
Supporting cast including Rakesh Bedi, Naveen Kaushik, Manav Gohil and others contribute to making the world feel lived-in and textured.
Direction — Aditya Dhar’s Vision
Aditya Dhar, known for blending action and national themes, takes a bold approach in Dhurandhar. The film attempts to merge heart-pounding sequences with emotional nuances, and at its best moments, it does just that.
He doesn’t rush through scenes; instead, he gives them room to breathe, especially in quieter moments that build tension even without gunfire. Yes, the film is long almost 214 minutes, making pacing a challenge but Dhar’s intent to make it feel epic is clear.
Action & Cinematography — Scale Meets Detail
This is not casual action cinema. Battles are gritty, fights are heavy, and sequences feel structurally grounded rather than stylized for flashy visuals. The long runtime allows the camera to capture expansive landscapes and claustrophobic interiors with equal effectiveness.
The cinematography paints a bleak yet compelling world the dust, sweat, rain, tension and violence are all shot in frames that feel deliberate and cinematic.
Music & Background Score
Music, composed for Dhurandhar, doesn’t take a front-seat Bollywood musical approach. Instead, scores are atmospheric, swelling during emotional beats and receding during strategic scenes. The soundtrack supports the tone and never distracts, which is exactly what this story needs.
Dhurandhar’s Controversial Ban in Gulf Countries
The Dhurandhar Movie Review cannot be complete without addressing one of the most controversial aspects surrounding the film — its ban across several Gulf countries. The film has been officially banned in Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and this decision instantly shaped global conversation around its release. Many international viewers searching for a detailed Dhurandhar Movie Review wanted to understand why the film was blocked in these regions, and the reason cited by authorities was that the story was allegedly “anti-Pakistani.”
Whether or not the narrative truly fits that label is subjective, but from my viewing experience for this Dhurandhar Movie Review, the film portrays its espionage themes within a fictional geopolitical framework. Still, the ban has amplified the film’s visibility worldwide. For many, the ban itself has become an unexpected promotional point, leading more people to search for the Dhurandhar Movie Review to understand the film’s tone and political approach.
By the time I finished watching, I realized the controversy doesn’t overpower the storytelling. But it does change how global audiences interpret the film, and it raises curiosity about its portrayal of cross-border tension. This factor adds a unique layer to my Dhurandhar Movie Review, because rarely do we see a Bollywood spy thriller spark such international restrictions prior to release.
Dhurandhar Is a Two-Part Film: Part 2 Arrives in March 2026
Another crucial update is that Dhurandhar is not a standalone film.
It has been officially designed as a two-part cinematic saga.
- Dhurandhar Part 1 — released now
- Dhurandhar Part 2 — scheduled for March 2026
When the climax unfolded, I immediately felt that this wasn’t the traditional ending structure. The pacing, the world-building, the character setups — everything suddenly made sense once the post-credit hint revealed that the story will resume in the second chapter. This revelation becomes an essential part of the Dhurandhar Movie Review, because viewers expecting a fully closed ending may feel surprised. But from a critic’s perspective, this two-part approach expands the narrative canvas and allows for richer character evolution in the next installment.
As I reflected on the film for this Dhurandhar Movie Review, I realised the director always intended Dhurandhar to unfold like a long-form espionage saga. The extended runtime, complex flashbacks, layered conflicts and unresolved personal stakes all point to a story that needs two films to come full circle. Now that Part 2 is confirmed for March 2026, the rewatch value of Part 1 grows stronger, and the Dhurandhar Movie Review must highlight this narrative architecture so viewers know what kind of cinematic journey they are stepping into.
Strengths of the Film
1. Compelling Central Performances
Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna are anchors, turning potentially familiar tropes into original, layered portrayals.
2. World-Building and Spy Craft
The espionage elements feel detailed and studied, not superficial. The story draws from real historical tensions effectively.
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3. Emotional Weight
The film gives space to character moments, letting audiences invest in their motives and consequences.
4. Strong Supporting Cast
Veteran actors enrich the narrative with credibility and presence.
Weaknesses – What Could Be Better
1. Runtime and Pacing
At over three hours, some sections feel stretched; it could benefit from tighter editing.
2. Predictability in Parts
Certain plot beats follow familiar spy thriller patterns, though performances help keep them fresh.
Final Verdict — Dhurandhar Movie Review Summary
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Dhurandhar movie review conclusion this film is an engaging espionage thriller with bankable star power, strong performances and a serious narrative backbone. It’s not flawless, some pacing and narrative familiarity hold it back but it delivers where it matters most: emotionally charged scenes, standout roles from the ensemble, and an immersive storytelling world.
If you enjoy spy dramas steeped in geopolitical tensions, layered characters, and intense performances, Dhurandhar is definitely worth your time.
FAQs – Dhurandhar Movie Review
Q: Who directed Dhurandhar (2025)?
A: Dhurandhar was directed by Aditya Dhar.
Q: Who are the lead actors in Dhurandhar?
A: The film stars Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun among others.
Q: What genre is Dhurandhar?
A: It is a spy action thriller with emotional and dramatic layers.
Q: Is Dhurandhar worth watching in theatres?
A: Yes — especially for fans of espionage thrillers and performance-driven cinema.
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