Dhurandhar

Amazed to see a brilliant movie coming from Aditya Dhar, which is well scripted and offers you a cinematic experience.

It showcase the journey of weak Indian government in early 2000 against terrorism ; and how RAW launches a brilliant plan to infiltrate Pakistani mafia.

Akshya Khanna will blow your mind with subtle act. You will find him heroic

A must watch in theatres only !

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.

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.

This is how I want to see a spy/espionage movie in Indian cinema. Excellent world and character building, with outstanding set pieces. Every single actor played their roles to perfection! Askhay Khanna stands out the most. However, as others mentioned, the role of Ranveer was not to stand out in the first place, and the director and actor executed that perfectly!

The film follows Hamza (Ranveer Singh), a young recruit thrust into a daring covert operation to infiltrate the ruthless underworld of Karachi. While the long runtime was a talking point ahead of the release, every minute is justified by Dhar's ambitious world-building. What begins as a strategic slow-burn expertly maps out the dangerous nexus of crime, politics, and terror, making the adrenaline-pumping payoff in the second half all the more rewarding.

Ranveer Singh delivers arguably the best performance of his career. As the feral, calculating undercover agent, he embodies raw intensity, using his eyes and body language to convey a character caught between a desperate mission and the corrosive environment he must survive in. He is the anchor, but the undisputed scene-stealer is Akshaye Khanna, who plays the gangster Rehman Dakait with a chilling blend of vulnerability and menace. The chemistry and friction between these two actors are the electric core of the film.

Technically, Dhurandhar sets a new benchmark for the genre. The action is brutal, immediate, and free of unnecessary fluff. Vikash Nowlakha's cinematography plunges the viewer directly into the gritty, dusty alleys of Lyari, while the background score by Shashwat Sachdev is a constant, pulsating heartbeat, ensuring the tension never dips.

This is a film that rewards patience with spectacle. Dhurandhar is a polished, high-voltage blockbuster that proves that when ambition meets execution, the results are explosive.

Conclusion: A must-watch theatrical experience that redefines the Indian spy thriller genre.