plot:
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar takes us to the dangerous Lyari district of Karachi in the early 2000s, where a young Indian spy is on the country’s riskiest mission yet. After the ISI hijacks an Indian airliner and bombs the Delhi Parliament, the Intelligence Bureau is pressed into action.
R as IB (Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal). Madhavan sends Ranveer Singh, an injured but determined young man, across the border with a powerful line: “Tu is injured, hence lethal.” What follows is the interesting story of how this boy Rehman, as a dacoit, infiltrates the notorious underworld gang of Karachi, run by the ruthless Akshay Khanna, and eventually becomes one of its most trusted faces, and secretly passes on all this information to the Indian government.
What works for the bully
The film really comes alive in its second half, which is intense, fast-paced and full of surprises. Aditya Dhar has handled the story with great care, every scene is well thought out, and the world-building is rich and believable. The script is very tight. There’s so much happening that if you blink, you might miss something important. Still, nothing feels forced; The story grows naturally, and the character arcs are extremely strong.
One of the best parts is the music and background score, unique, powerful and matches the mood of the film perfectly. The background music supports the action without impacting it.
The film also brings back the flavor of classic action cinema of the 70s and 80s – high-risk moments, dramatic performances and scenes where the audience can’t help but think, “Hit more!” The detail is also fantastic. From culture to politics and the workings of the underworld, the research shines in every frame.
What doesn’t work for a bully
The biggest drawback is the 3-plus-hour runtime. Audiences who enjoy geopolitics, espionage thrillers and heavy political drama will remain engaged, but those looking for quick entertainment may find the length challenging. This requires patience.
Watch the trailer of Dhurandhar here:
acting performance in dhurandhar
Ranveer Singh delivers one of his most powerful performances, intense, emotional and completely controlled. This may even surpass his work as Alauddin Khilji.
Akshaye Khanna is doing wonders as Rahman the dacoit. Whenever he appears, he takes over the screen and makes the character unforgettable.
R. Madhavan brings great strength to his role as the IB chief. She is sharp, confident and charming.
Despite Arjun Rampal’s limited screen time, it leaves an impact and makes you dislike his character, as intended.
Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, Sanjay Dutt steps in to crack down on Karachi’s underworld. He is strong and steady in his performance.
Rakesh Bedi provides a much-needed respite from the heavy tone of the film, and his character plays an important role throughout.
Sara Arjun is amazing as the lead actress. Despite initial discussions about the age difference between her and Ranveer, their chemistry works beautifully on screen. Their romantic scenes are tender, warm and surprisingly touching.
Dhurandhar’s final decision
Dhurandhar is a gripping, emotional and thoroughly engaging espionage thriller. With powerful performances by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, strong direction by Aditya Dhar and a story full of action, love, patriotism and memorable villains, this film is made for the big screen.
And just when you think the story is complete, the makers reveal a sequel titled Revenge releasing on March 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Pinkvilla. Any statements made in this article are not intended to defame, harm, or discredit any person or entity.
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