I just walked out of the theater, and honestly, my head is still buzzing. It's one of those movies that leaves you with a heavy feeling in your chest, but also a weird sense of pride. For over three hours, I was completely sucked into this tense, shadowy world. I'm sitting here with my coffee, still replaying that final confrontation in my mind—the sheer silence of it was more powerful than any explosion. It's not a perfect film, but it sticks with you. I keep thinking about the cost of the mission, not just in terms of strategy, but on a human level.
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What's Dhurandhar About?
Dhurandhar is a spy thriller based on real events, focusing on a secret Indian intelligence mission to infiltrate terrorist networks in Pakistan after the Parliament attack. The story follows a young man from Punjab who gets recruited for this incredibly dangerous undercover operation. It's less about flashy action and more about the slow, nerve-wracking burn of building a false identity and living a lie in enemy territory.
What Works in Dhurandhar
- ✓ Ranveer Singh's performance is a revelation. He completely sheds his usual boisterous persona to play someone vulnerable and terrified, and his transformation throughout the film felt painfully real.
- ✓ The tension in the second half is masterfully built. There's a sequence in a Karachi market where every glance feels like a threat—I realized I was holding my breath.
- ✓ Akshaye Khanna as the Intelligence Chief is brilliantly understated. His calm, calculating demeanor in the war room scenes provided a perfect anchor to the chaos.
- ✓ The production design is impeccable. The 1999-2001 period is recreated with such gritty detail, from the cars to the technology, it never felt like a set.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The first hour is a serious slog. They spend too much time on the protagonist's backstory in Punjab, which, while important, could have been trimmed by 20 minutes.
- ✗ At 212 minutes, the runtime is its biggest enemy. There are entire subplots, like one involving Arjun Rampal's character, that feel unnecessary and bloat the middle act.
- ✗ Some of the dialogue in the patriotic moments veers into textbook territory. I remember one speech by Sanjay Dutt that made me cringe a little—it felt forced.
Standout Moments & Performances
Two scenes are etched in my memory. First, a quiet moment where Ranveer's character, alone in a safe house, listens to a cassette tape from home. The camera just stays on his face as it crumples—it was heartbreaking and said more than any monologue could. Second, the entire climax. Without giving it away, it abandons typical Bollywood bombast for something far more tense and psychological. I felt a knot in my stomach the whole time. There's also a brilliantly shot chase through narrow Karachi lanes that uses sound and shadows better than any CGI explosion.
Main Cast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt
Direction, Music & Visuals
Aditya Dhar's direction is confident, especially in building a claustrophobic atmosphere. The cinematography is stunning but not showy—lots of muted tones and tight frames that make you feel the protagonist's isolation. The music is sparingly used, which works; the score kicks in only to amplify tension, not manipulate emotion. Performance-wise, it's Ranveer's show. He delivers a career-best, layered performance. Madhavan is solid but underused, and Sanjay Dutt, while impactful, sometimes feels like he's in a different, more theatrical movie. The editing needed a sharper knife, particularly in the first half.
Director: Aditya Dhar
Who Should Watch Dhurandhar?
If you're a patient viewer who enjoys slow-burn, realistic espionage thrillers like 'The Spy' or 'Munich', you'll appreciate this. It's also a must for anyone interested in recent Indian history told from a gritty, ground-level perspective. Fans of performance-driven cinema will get a lot from watching Ranveer Singh completely disappear into this role.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a fast-paced, masala action entertainer with songs and swagger, this is not it. The pacing is deliberate, and the action is more about suspense than spectacle. Also, if you have a low tolerance for very long runtimes, the pacing might test your patience.
Final Verdict
Despite its flaws, mainly the exhausting length and a meandering first act, Dhurandhar is a compelling and often gripping watch. It's a sober, ambitious film that treats its sensitive subject with respect. I wouldn't watch it again anytime soon because it's such an intense commitment, but I'm glad I saw it on the big screen for the immersive experience. I'd recommend it with a clear warning about the runtime—go in with patience, and you'll be rewarded with a solid thriller and some truly powerhouse acting.