Aditya Dhar has a special taste in filmmaking. It’s not exactly shocking, but it’s not surprising either. Dhar loves war cries, prioritises India above everything else and treats Pakistan as an eternal enemy. stalwart Nobody wastes time in explaining his worldview. The mission is very clear: infiltrate the core of Pakistan – the same machinery that perpetuates global terrorism – and constantly stay two steps ahead.

The first half of the film is divided into eight chapters, making it easy to follow the story even when jumping between real, traumatic events. From the IC-814 Kandahar hijacking to the Parliament attack to the horrors of 26/11 in Mumbai, Dhar weaves together these tragedies to argue that India had no choice but to rethink its entire strategy. enter operation Dhurandhar– A secret strategy built on precision, brutality and an unfiltered rage that demands vengeance.

The recreation of Lyari city of Karachi by Dhar is particularly attractive. His world seems artificial and dangerously believable. stalwart Enhances brain investment; Google search becomes inevitable. if his Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) Shouting your patriotism from the rooftops seems more calculated.

Front and center is Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazhari, but the real scene-stealer is Akshay Khanna. As Rehman Baloch aka the dacoit, Khanna gives a masterclass in sheer intensity. Her silences speak, her breakdowns sting, and her presence elevates every frame. This is one of his most impressive performances in years.

Sanjay Dutt is strong as Chaudhary Aslam, Arjun Rampal is strong as the ISI chief, and Rakesh Bedi is perfect as Jamal, a shrewd politician who is brimming with humour. Ranveer’s Hamza remains the narrator of the story – a character almost like ashes and dust, small but capable of blinding or burning you. Singh plays him with conviction, though the abundance of close-ups inevitably provides echoes of his acclaimed Khilji.

Where Dhar gets its biggest blow is in the portrayal of Pakistan. It’s not satirical, but surprisingly nuanced, especially politically. But he makes no mistake in words: Pakistan has been blamed as the mastermind of terrorism. The film also sheds light on the Pakistan versus Balochistan conflict, offering a rare mainstream glimpse at internal cracks and infiltration routes.

The covert operations themselves are glorified, portrayed as evidence that India is constantly ahead – alert, calculating and fully aware of every movement across the border. At the same time, Dhar advances the idea that a wounded India is far more dangerous. ,I am injured so I am deadly,” declares Ranveer’s Hamza – which neatly sums up the moral position of the film.

One of the standout moments is the film’s use of real-life 26/11 footage, particularly how live Indian news broadcasts inadvertently helped terrorists and their masters monitor the attacks in real time. It’s an uncomfortable reminder of how clearly the choreography was being designed.

See also

Entertainment

BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s agency shares statement following her dating rumors with BamBam

Ranveer’s chemistry with Sara Arjun is also very good. She appears young, but the age difference is appropriate within the story, and their dynamics add occasional tenderness to the otherwise relentless narrative.

And then comes the climax, neither rushed nor satisfied. It simply exists, an ending designed to hold space for Part 2. There’s no cliffhanger, but there are enough hints as to what’s going to happen next. Problem? This three hour thirty four minute film tests your patience. With tighter editing, this could have been a mini 2.5 hour knockout. Many bullets linger unnecessarily, especially on bloody corpses and bullet-ridden bodies. Violence should disturb the mind, not numb it.

The background score is fantastic – Caravan resonates – and utilizes classics such as Breeze Adds unexpected texture. The film is ambitious, fascinating, sometimes exhausting, but always watchable. Not every taste is accommodated, but the world that Dhar has created is entertaining enough to keep you invested.

stalwart is a sprawling, powerful, politically incisive thriller that bites a lot, and thanks to Khanna’s explosive talent, successfully chews most of it.