Dhurandhar (2025) Movie Review: A Gripping Spy Saga That Packs a Punch, But Tests Your Endurance

Rating: 4/5 Stars

In the crowded arena of Bollywood spy thrillers—where glossy gadgets and over-the-top heroism often overshadow subtlety—Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar emerges as a refreshingly gritty contender. Clocking in at a hefty 3 hours and 34 minutes (with a sequel already teased for March 2026), this undercover espionage drama starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role is a bold swing at realism amid gang wars, terror networks, and Indo-Pak tensions. It’s not flawless, but for fans of taut, character-driven action like Uri or Raazi, it’s a “paisa vasool” ride that delivers more thrills than filler.

Plot and Pacing: High Stakes, Occasional Hiccups

The story plunges us into the shadowy underbelly of Pakistan’s criminal world, where RAW agent Vikram Rathore (Ranveer Singh) goes deep undercover to dismantle a terror syndicate. Inspired by real-life operative sacrifices—without veering into outright biography—Dhar weaves a narrative of betrayal, moral ambiguity, and raw survival. The first half builds a solid foundation with sharp world-building: think brutal gang skirmishes, tense interrogations, and fleeting glimpses of the emotional toll on spies. It’s here that the film shines, hooking you with its no-nonsense authenticity—no unnecessary song-and-dance detours, just relentless momentum.

The second half ramps up the firepower, unleashing visceral action set pieces that feel grounded in reality rather than CGI spectacle. A mid-film reveal and the cliffhanger setup for Part 2 are chef’s kiss moments, leaving you buzzing for more. However, the runtime is a double-edged sword. At nearly four hours, it occasionally overstretches—some subplots meander, and the chest-thumping nationalism veers into preachy territory, serving political undertones more than pure storytelling. If you’re prone to fidgeting, this isn’t the popcorn-munching breeze of a Singham flick; it’s a commitment that demands focus.

Performances: A Masterclass Ensemble, Led by Two Absolute Scene-Stealers

Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait – The Undisputed Show-Stealer Akshaye Khanna doesn’t just play the charismatic Pakistani gangster Rehman Dakait — he possesses the screen like a predator who knows he owns the jungle. With salt-and-pepper stubble, a lazy swagger, and that trademark half-smirk, he delivers every dialogue like a velvet-coated threat. The moment he enters a room, the temperature drops and the tension skyrockets. Whether he’s calmly torturing someone or delivering a chilling monologue on power and loyalty, Khanna is magnetic, terrifying, and weirdly charming all at once. This is easily one of the greatest villainous performances in Hindi cinema in the last decade — he walks away with the film locked in his pocket.

Ranveer Singh as RAW Agent Vikram Rathore After a string of larger-than-life roles, Ranveer delivers a shockingly restrained, career-best performance. No shouting, no over-the-top energy — just hollow eyes, clenched jaws, and the quiet devastation of a man who has forgotten his own real name. His physical transformation (gaunt, scarred, weary) and the way he internalizes pain make Vikram feel like a real undercover operative. When he finally explodes in the climax, the payoff is thunderous.

Sanjay Dutt as Major General Hamid Iqbal Sanju baba shows up in the second half and immediately hijacks every scene with gravel-voiced authority and old-school intensity. His confrontation scenes with Ranveer and Akshaye are pure fire.

Arjun Rampal as Khalil Bhai Towering, menacing, and cold-blooded, Rampal brings raw physicality makes him a terrifying enforcer. His silent stares and sudden bursts of violence are chilling.

R. Madhavan as RAW Chief Avinash Kamath Maddy plays the morally grey intelligence boss with impeccable control. His quiet, calculated demeanor hides a ruthless streak — every time he’s on screen, you feel the weight of life-and-death decisions.

Sara Arjun as Ayesha In a role that could have been thankless, Sara surprises with understated maturity. She shares excellent chemistry with Ranveer and holds her own in emotional confrontations, especially opposite Akshaye Khanna.

Technical Brilliance: Sound and Fury

Aditya Dhar’s direction—his follow-up to Uri—is a masterclass in sustained tension, with intelligent writing that balances human emotion against geopolitical grit. The editing is mostly stellar, though a 20-minute trim wouldn’t hurt. Production design nails the seedy authenticity of border underworlds, from dingy safehouses to explosive chases.

But the real MVPs? The background score and sound design. Pulsing with urgency, the BGM is “mind-blowing”—a thunderous force that amplifies every heartbeat and gunshot, making sequences feel operatic. It’s the best use of music in a spy film since Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, integrated seamlessly without feeling forced. Action choreography is brutally realistic, favoring hand-to-hand grit over wire-fu, and the cinematography captures the chaos with a documentary edge.

The Verdict: Worth the Watch, If You Can Sit Still

Dhurandhar isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s more procedural than revolutionary—but it delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment that’s emotionally rich and unapologetically intense. Amid Bollywood’s masala overload, this is a welcome dose of “true cinema”: gripping, performer-driven, and unafraid to humanize its heroes. Ranveer’s comeback is official; he’s back and better than ever. Head to theaters for the immersive punch—it’s a blockbuster in spirit, even if the length might leave you checking your watch midway. Can’t wait for the sequel to tie up those tantalizing threads.

If you’re into spy thrillers with brains and brawn, this one’s a must. Just grab a big drink… you’ll need the hydration for the marathon.