Dhurandhar Movie Review is here! marks the ferocious big-screen return of Ranveer Singh and a massive scale-up of Aditya Dhar’s gritty, politically intense spy-cinema universe. Set across India and Pakistan’s crime corridors, the film is visually spectacular, emotionally loaded, and relentlessly violent — but its 3-hour-34-minute runtime demands patience.

If you’re looking for a raw, unflinching espionage thriller with powerhouse performances, Dhurandhar belongs on your 2025 must-watch list.

Dhurandhar Movie Review: Story & Tone (No Spoilers)

The story follows Hamza Ali Mazari, aka Jaskirat Singh Rangli (Ranveer Singh), a deadly Indian asset deployed deep inside Karachi’s gang-heavy district Lyari — portrayed as the nerve centre controlling Karachi and Pakistan itself.

• Aditya Dhar creatively merges real historical tragedies —
• IC-814 hijacking
• Parliament attack
• 26/11 Mumbai attacks

— to justify India’s covert doctrine: strike first, strike hardest, strike silently.

The tone throughout the film is:

• Uncompromisingly intense
• Morally grey
• Politically sharp
• Brutally violent

Torture, assassinations, and psychological warfare form the backbone of the narrative, keeping viewers constantly on edge.

Performances: Dhurandhar Movie Review

Ranveer Singh as Hamza / Jaskirat

Ranveer delivers one of the most controlled yet explosive performances of his career.
He is:

• Feral
• Shrewd
• Ruthless
• Yet surprisingly vulnerable

His character carries both trauma and fury, switching between cold-blooded spy and shaken human within seconds. Critics call it his most mature performance since Padmaavat.

Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Baloch

Widely regarded as the true highlight, Akshaye’s portrayal of the Lyari don turned political player is mesmerizing. His:

• Silent anger
• Sudden eruptions
• Morally conflicted choices

give the film its emotional and dramatic depth.

Sanjay Dutt as Chaudhry Aslam

Inspired by the real Karachi supercop, Dutt brings old-school swagger, menace, and gravitas.

Arjun Rampal & Rakesh Bedi

Rampal’s cold ISI chief and Bedi’s cunning politician add layers to the geopolitics, injecting tension and occasional humour.

Overall: The ensemble cast is a major reason why Dhurandhar never loses grip, even when the narrative sprawls.

Direction, Writing & Technical Execution

Aditya Dhar mounts Dhurandhar as a 214-minute espionage epic, divided into chapter-style segments to keep its sprawling narrative accessible.

World-Building

Lyari is recreated with:

• Narrow, gritty lanes
• Gang dens
• Political rallies
• Explosive crime realism

It feels disturbingly real.

Cinematography

Vikash Nowlakha’s stunning visuals immerse viewers into:

• Dusty Karachi by-lanes
• Close-quarters combat
• High-intensity firefights

Frames are described as rich, arresting, and atmospheric.

Action

The action is:

• Brutal
• Grounded
• Not over-choreographed
• Visceral to the point of discomfort

Hand-to-hand combat sequences are a standout.

Music & Background Score

Shashwat Sachdev’s score — especially the “Karvaan” theme — keeps tension simmering. Smart use of retro tracks like “Hawa Hawa” adds relief in otherwise suffocating scenes.

The Weak Link: Editing

The 3h 34m runtime is the film’s biggest flaw.
Critics suggest:

• Scenes linger unnecessarily
• Violence becomes numbing
• A tighter 2h 40m cut could’ve been a masterwork

Politics, Violence & Controversy

Dhurandhar embraces its politics without hesitation.
It portrays:

• Pakistan’s “thousand cuts” strategy
• ISI’s deep nexus with terror networks
• Karachi–Balochistan conflict
• India’s covert strike doctrine

The film glorifies Indian retaliation, reinforced by Hamza’s chilling line:

“Ghayal hoon, isliye ghatak hoon.”

Important Note

The violence is extremely graphic — including torture ritual sequences — which makes this a hard watch and will likely spark debate across social and political circles.

Box Office & Audience Reception

Early reports indicate:

• Strong opening weekend
• Among the highest openers of 2025
• Huge comeback for Ranveer Singh

Social media reactions call it:

• “Raw”
• “Gory but gripping”
• “One of India’s most ambitious spy films”
• “Emotionally exhausting but rewarding”

Most agree: the runtime is indulgent, but the performances are spectacular.

Dhurandhar Movie Review: What Works vs What Doesn’t

Works

• Career-best performances from Ranveer Singh & Akshaye Khanna
• Exceptional world-building in Lyari
• Brutal, realistic action
• Powerful background score
• Bold political storytelling
• High emotional and technical ambition

What Doesn’t

• Overlong runtime by 45–60 minutes
• Excessive gore that may alienate viewers
• Climax feels more like a setup for a sequel
• Emotional payoff diluted by narrative sprawl

Verdict: Should You Watch Dhurandhar?

Yes —In this Dhurandhar Movie Review, we have made it easy for you. But be prepared.

If you love serious espionage dramas, political thrillers, and intense performances, Dhurandhar is one of the must-watch Hindi films of 2025.

Ranveer’s feral transformation and Akshaye Khanna’s extraordinary, layered performance elevate the film far beyond a typical spy thriller.

However:

• Sensitive viewers
• Those uncomfortable with graphic violence
• Or anyone expecting a light entertainer

may find Dhurandhar overwhelming. Book your tickets now!

Final Rating: ⭐ 3.5/5 — A brutal, ambitious, brilliantly performed spy epic dragged down by its runtime.

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