Dhurandhar
धुरंधर
After the hijacking of IC-814 in 1999 and the Parliament attack in 2001, India’s Intelligence Bureau Chief, Ajay Sanyal devised an indomitable mission to intrude and rupture the terrorist network in Pakistan, by infiltrating the underworld mafia of Karachi. A 20-year-old boy from Punjab, held captive for a revenge crime, is identified by Sanyal to execute his elaborate plan.
Review
Dhurandhar opens with a chilling recreation of the IC-814 hijacking, immediately establishing the tense geopolitical climate that serves as the film's backbone. Director Aditya Dhar, known for Uri: The Surgical Strike, delivers another high-stakes, patriotic thriller, but this time with a more intricate, chess-like narrative. The plot follows Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal's (Akshaye Khanna) audacious plan to infiltrate Pakistan's underworld to dismantle terror networks from within, using a young, reluctant asset (Ranveer Singh). Over its 214-minute runtime, the film weaves a complex tapestry of espionage, moral ambiguity, and raw action. The pacing is deliberate, building tension through intelligence gathering and psychological manipulation before erupting into visceral, well-choreographed set pieces. The production design meticulously recreates the late 90s/early 2000s era, from the tech to the political atmosphere, adding a layer of authenticity. While the film's length is felt, especially in a protracted second act, the narrative payoff in the final hour is largely satisfying, tying together its numerous threads with precision. The score by Shashwat Sachdev is pulsating and effective, though occasionally overbearing in its patriotic fervor. Dhurandhar is less a bombastic action film and more a slow-burn spy thriller that demands—and often rewards—patient investment from its audience.
Pros
- ✓Akshaye Khanna's masterful, understated performance as the strategic spymaster Ajay Sanyal, whose calm demeanor masks a razor-sharp intellect
- ✓Aditya Dhar's confident direction and ambitious scope, successfully managing a complex, multi-layered plot based on real geopolitical events
- ✓Superb production design and cinematography that authentically capture the period and the gritty underworld of Karachi, adding immense atmospheric value
- ✓A compelling third act that delivers a tense and emotionally resonant payoff, justifying much of the preceding build-up
Cons
- ✗A bloated runtime of 214 minutes, with a noticeably slow middle section that could have benefited from tighter editing
- ✗Ranveer Singh's performance, while energetic, occasionally feels mismatched with the film's gritty tone, veering into exaggerated territory in quieter moments
- ✗Some supporting characters, particularly the antagonists played by Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, feel underwritten and serve more as archetypes than fully realized individuals
Dhurandhar is a bold, ambitious espionage thriller that largely succeeds in its mission. It is a film of two halves: a methodical, intelligence-driven first part and a more explosive, consequential second. While its extended runtime tests patience and some characterizations lack depth, the film's strengths are significant. Akshaye Khanna delivers a career-best performance, anchoring the film with quiet intensity, and Aditya Dhar's vision for a detailed, process-oriented spy saga is commendable. The final hour is a masterclass in tension, making the journey worthwhile. This is not a mindless action flick but a thinking person's thriller that respects the complexity of its real-world inspiration. It stumbles in pacing but ultimately stands tall due to its compelling core narrative, technical prowess, and a powerful sense of stakes. Recommended for viewers who appreciate slow-burn narratives with a substantial payoff.
🎯 Who Should Watch
Fans of political espionage thrillers, patriotic cinema, and historical dramas; viewers who enjoyed films like 'Uri: The Surgical Strike,' 'Baby,' or 'The Spy Who Loved Me'; and audiences patient with longer runtimes for richer storytelling.
⭐ Standout Elements
The film's standout element is its commitment to portraying the 'how' of espionage—the planning, recruitment, and psychological maneuvering—rather than just the action. Akshaye Khanna's nuanced performance as the cerebral spymaster and the authentic, gritty period recreation of Karachi's underworld are particularly memorable.
🎬 Overall Impact
A must-watch film that delivers on both entertainment and emotional depth.
📽️ This film represents strong filmmaking that deserves your attention.
