Dhurandhar Review: I walked out of Dhurandhar with my head buzzing. Not because the film confused me—far from it. It’s just been a while since a Hindi film went this heavy, this long, and this grounded without slipping into “hero entry, punchline, slow-mo fight” territory.
My Rating:3.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Dhurandhar |
| Genre | Political Thriller / Gangland Drama |
| Language | Hindi |
| Runtime | 3 hours 34 minutes |
| Format | Split into 2 Parts (Part 1 released now) |
| Director | Aditya Dhar |
| Main Cast | Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt |
The Surprise No One Saw Coming: Dhurandhar Is a Two-Part Film
If you’ve been following the leaks, you probably heard the whispers:
“Dhurandhar has been split into two parts at the last minute.”
Well… It’s true.
The team apparently ended up with 7 hours of footage, and instead of chopping it down to a chaotic 3-hour mess, they sliced it into two films. And honestly? It works. There’s no stretch-fest. No filler. No dragging scenes designed to “earn more money.” The story actually needs this space.
Part 2 is coming sooner than you think—blink, and it’ll be in theatres.
Is the Split a Cash Grab?
If you’re angry about the two-part decision, don’t be. At least not for now. Because the film isn’t bloated. It isn’t padding anything for runtime. It’s just huge, dense, and tightly written.
My only disappointment wasn’t the film; it was Ranveer Singh’s recent off-camera controversy. That could’ve been avoided. But inside the film? Man delivers.
So What’s the Story? (Non-Spoiler, Relax)
The film drops us into Karachi’s infamous Lyari Town, a place run by gangs that operate like chess pieces—each with power, purpose, and a deadly role to play.
We meet these players the same way Ranveer’s character meets them: slowly, naturally, one dangerous encounter at a time. And that’s the beauty of it. Unlike Salaar, which throws fifty names and factions at you in the first 20 minutes, Dhurandhar guides you step by step.
You’re curious, not confused.
A Quick Reality Check
The film is 3 hours and 34 minutes long—the longest mainstream Hindi film released in 17 years.
You’d think this would be torture.
But the writing pulls off a clever trick: It uses real-life Pakistan-India incidents as anchors. You’ll sense a big event coming long before it’s stated, because you know history.
The second half? One sequence hits like a punch to the chest. And then there’s a moment where the screen goes red, text appears, and all you hear is chilling real audio. How they got access… no clue. But it lands.
No Masala. No Hero Worship. Zero Slow-Mo Flexing.
We’ve seen this genre before: An Indian agent undercover in Pakistan, dodging gangs and making big moves. But Dhurandhar is nothing like the typical Bollywood formula. No dramatic entry for the hero. No forced one-liners. No “clap here” moments.
Instead, the film is clean, raw, and restrained. Even crazier? Ranveer Singh, THE main actor, spends almost a fourth of the film standing in the background, letting other characters shine. That alone tells you the director wasn’t chasing “mass moments.” He was chasing authenticity.
The Performances Are Insane
Let’s give credit where it’s due.
- Akshaye Khanna – I don’t know what magic this man carries. Every time he appears, he steals the scene effortlessly.
- R. Madhavan – Easily one of the most chilling roles of his career. Some people won’t even recognize him.
- Arjun Rampal – Sharp, intense, perfectly cast.
- Sanjay Dutt – The trailer undersold him. In the film, he’s a menace.
- Ranveer Singh – Underplayed, controlled, very unlike his usual flamboyance. Surprisingly refreshing.
It’s been ages since a Bollywood film had this many strong performances in one place.
Let’s Talk About the Certification
The movie is A-rated for language and violence. And when I say “language,” I mean… They didn’t hold back. Even the beeped half-abuses hit hard. The violence? It’s not the stylish kind. It’s the kind that makes you flinch.
Some people are worried about the “impact on society,” but I’m not entering that debate. The film shows what the film needs to show.
Also Read: Tere Ishk Mein Review —This Movie Hit Harder Than Raanjhanaa
Good & Bad in Dhurandhar
| Good Things | Bad Things |
|---|---|
| The two-part split feels natural, not forced. | Runtime is extremely long—some viewers will struggle. |
| Performances are outstanding across the board. | Heavy violence and intense language may bother some people. |
| The world-building of Lyari Town is rich and authentic. | Real political references might create controversy. |
| No masala, no slow-mo hero worship—very grounded. | Lack of “mass” moments may disappoint the commercial crowd. |
| Ranveer plays against type—controlled and subtle. | Pacing is deliberate; the impatient crowd may call it “slow.” |
| Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna deliver scene-stealing roles. | Marketing doesn’t show how big and layered the story really is. |
| The real-life event reference (with the red screen moment) hits hard. | The Part 1 ending leaves you waiting for closure. |
| Crisp writing makes the large cast easy to follow. | Technical details of some operations are left vague. |
| Smart, tension-filled storytelling without distraction. | Off-screen controversies around the cast may affect reception. |
Final Thought on Dhurandhar
Dhurandhar isn’t “another Indo-Pak spy film.” It’s a gritty, grounded, tension-filled character drama with real weight. If you prefer fast, flashy, mass-hero cinema, this isn’t your dish.
But if you’re up for a slow-burn, high-stakes, brilliantly acted political-gangland thriller… this might be one of the strongest Hindi releases in years.
Final Verdict: 3.5 / 5, and Part 2 could make that number go even higher.
