Dhurandhar

First of all I would like to salute the direction and storytelling of this movie. This type of story telling has not been seen before in bollywood. The music mashup, bgm and intro of every character was top notch. First half had all the cuisines for perfect build up for all the characters and story. In Second half all that build up explodes and gives great fight sequence, music, and goosebumps moment. After interval the story just flows and you won't feel like it's been 3:30 hours.

Final conclusion: Just don't miss this masterpiece if you are cinema lover, you can't afford to miss this type of storytelling.

A spy action movie with a runtime of 3 hrs 34 minutes approx, it's engrossing without a single moment of boredom, thanks to the robust screenplay and casting of talented performers. Director Aditya Dhar has been successful in ensuring that each character leaves an indelible mark on the viewers.

It's not solely a Ranveer Singh show, as the director has ensured each character has a memorable presence. R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshay Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Ranveer Singh deliver performances akin to a north Indian person savoring an authentic south Indian meal, with each bite providing satisfaction. Akshay Khanna, who won hearts with Aurangzeb in Chaava, has again impressed as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar. His swag, look, and dialogue delivery are mind-blowing. As the movie progresses, Sanjay Dutt brings a new gear, accelerating the pace with his enjoyable screen presence. R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal have limited screen time but make their presence felt. Sara Arjun delivers a decent performance as the lady love. Ranveer Singh's character development is amazing to watch, and his mass performance will be eagerly anticipated in the second part.

From a technical standpoint, Aditya Dhar's direction is astounding, perfectly capturing the essence of Dhurandhar. Sashwat Sachdev's score and music blend seamlessly with the movie's tone. The placement of old Bollywood classics in certain situations is entertaining and thrilling. Vikash Nowlakha's cinematography is commendable, and Shivkumar V Panicker's editing is sharp.

Intelligent writing, peak performances, gritty and realistic action. After such a long time, mainstream bollywood finally has a movie which is truly cinema.

It's no simple task to construct a nearly 4 hour long movie without losing your audience, yet dhurandhar manages to do exactly that. In fact, the runtime serves as a strength, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in such a dense, complicated, and dark world.

I say this will change indian cinema because the film is just so thoughtfully built and so different at the same time. It feels like an experimental take on commercial cinema. There's so much aura farming, but dhar's clever script adds a classy weight to them that just isn't present in other bwood flicks.

There are some truly disturbing scenes here, in particular the scene for the 26/11 attack. The shock, the disgust, the sadness. I don't think a film has made me feel so angry in such a long time. Another scene involving arjun rampal's character is straight out of a horror movie. The 18 rating is definitely justified.

Don't miss this masterpiece.

Well, well, well... Pathan, War 2, Singham, and so on and so forth. Pathan was Shahrukh's comeback and we all know his nuances: he drives a movie on his shoulders. Yet, when it came to spy thriller, it was frankly so-so. Then we all know star studded movies like the lastest Singham and War 2... There's only masala with heavy star cast and a very, very little storyline or nothing on the spy topic. I can definitely say, they were mass movies relying on starcast and some CGI.

So then comes Dhurandhar. Not to say again but a heavy star studded movie with spy and espionage elements. But the difference, the stars gave phenomenal performances, including the young lady Saira and our own Rakesh Bedi. While everyone applaused Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and ofcourse Ranveer Singh, I felt these two side characters were equally good in whatever roles they were offered.

Now coming to spy world. The movie showcases what's there, is there. How it works, how things topple upside down due to a slight mistake, or how you may have to take chances, heavy chances to get something done. When you have one and only aim, your chances heavily rely on your guts and brain. Because be it or not, a rotten apple in a crate may leave its rottenness in other apples.

Moreover, the movie is shown with the point of view of Indian forces, and some actual incidents, that blend with the overall sentiments and anger of a viewer.

Again, there is some gore, but not so much and elaborated like movie Animal. But not so less that you can watch with kids.

I did feel little glitches here and there but overall, a wonderful movie. And yes, I am waiting for the next part.

On a side note. The movie is long, but you won't yawn anytime during its running time.

If Uri: The Surgical Strike was the roar, Dhurandhar is the bite. Aditya Dhar has returned with a spy thriller that does not just rely on loud patriotism but backs it up with grit, intelligence, and a scale that Indian cinema rarely attempts. Clocking in at over three hours, it is a marathon of a film, but one that leaves you breathless rather than exhausted.

This is the Ranveer Singh we have been waiting for. As the covert operative Hamza Ali Mazari, Singh strips away his usual high-energy flamboyance to deliver a performance of simmering intensity. He is quiet, lethal, and emotionally vulnerable. Whether he is navigating the treacherous lanes of Karachi or breaking down in a rare moment of solitude, he anchors the film with a maturity that defines the second act of his career.

While Ranveer is the soul, Akshaye Khanna is the electrifying current running through the narrative. As the antagonist Rehman Dakait, Khanna is terrifyingly calm and intellectual, proving once again why he is one of the most underutilized actors in the industry. The face-off scenes between Singh and Khanna are masterclasses in tension, relying on psychological warfare rather than just explosions.

What stands out most is the technical brilliance. The film respects the intelligence of the audience, weaving a complex web of espionage involving historical stakes without feeling like a history lesson. The hand-to-hand combat is visceral and realistic, avoiding the gravity-defying stunts often seen in the genre. Shashwat Sachdev's background score is a character in itself - pounding and relentless during the action, yet haunting during the emotional beats.

Is it long? Yes. But the runtime is justified by the depth of the world-building. Dhurandhar is a mass entertainer with class sensibilities - a rare beast that satisfies the action junkies and the cinephiles alike. It is a high-octane saga that cements Aditya Dhar as a master of the war-spy genre. A must-watch for anyone who loves grounded, intense cinema.