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Dhurandhar Review: Aditya Dhar’s Gritty Spy Thriller Makes A Perfect Weekend Watch

Dhurandhar Review: Aditya Dhar’s Gritty Spy Thriller Makes A Perfect Weekend Watch

Dec 5, 2025

5 min read

Written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has finally stormed the theatres. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun. Dhurandhar’s trailer hinted at a gripping story “inspired by incredible true events,” leaving everyone eagerly awaiting its release. But is the movie really worth watching? Read our review of Dhurandhar to find out.

Dhurandhar movie: The plot

The spy thriller taps into the dark underbelly of cross-border espionage against the backdrop of some of the most brutal events that shaped Indian history: the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. India must seek vengeance, so Ajay Sanyal, Director of Indian Intelligence, devises Operation Dhurandhar. His plan is simple: infiltrate the underworld of Pakistan operating in Lyari, Karachi. But it’s not easy to take on the powerful gangs of Lyari, who work closely with the ISI.

Sanyal sends a mysterious person who disguises himself as Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh). What begins as a risky undercover operation soon spirals into a brutal game of survival. Hamza also struggles to keep his identity a secret in front of the notorious gangsters in Pakistan. With danger lurking in every corner, will Hamza succeed in his mission? But who is Hamza in real life? Is he a trained agent, a military professional, or someone else entirely?

Dhurandhar movie review: A spy thriller that keeps you hooked

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar really ate and left no crumbs. Not only did he create spectacular hype for the movie, but he also delivered when the time came. The movie doesn’t waste a single minute easing you in; it keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning. With each passing minute, you’ll anticipate the worst outcome for the characters, and the plot will surprise you with a shocking twist. What really stands out is how the political backdrop never overshadows the human story at its core. Dhurandhar runs heavy on action sequences, and rightfully so. But it’s the impressive background score that elevates all the action scenes. And that’s why you must not miss the moment when Jogi finally plays in the film.

With a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes, Dhurandhar might test your patience at times. But the film’s ending is worth the wait. More so, the buildup is necessary, or you’ll lose the entire plot. Dhurandhar blends the thrill of espionage with much-needed humour and a little romance on the side. That said, Ranveer’s character romancing Sara Arjun still feels dull and unnecessary on the screen. The age gap is hard to ignore, and it is the only point where the film misses the mark. But, if you’ve been cribbing about not getting a perfect Bollywood mass entertainer, it’s time to book your tickets to watch Dhurandhar this weekend.

Dhurandhar movie: The excellent cast

what is dhurandhar based on — Image Source

Dhurandhar‘s cast is its backbone. The movie opens with R Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal, who maintains his character’s confidence and grit. And just when you’re impressed by his acting, you meet Akshaye Khanna. He portrays Rehman Dakait, a ruthless Balochi gangster. Akshaye stuns every minute in the movie with his sinister charm. Dhurandhar also stars Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, an ISI agent. His role as an antagonist is truly impressive, bringing an intimidating edge to the narrative. Sanjay Dutt, as SP Chaudhary Aslam, owns the screen in every frame. The moment he enters the plot, to his last shot in the movie, he will have you glued.

But it’s Rakesh Bedi’s Jameel Jamali, who leaves the most surprising mark with his supporting role. The actor’s comic timing as a seemingly influential political leader is delightful. Sara Arjun, the only lead female actor in the movie, owns her bold character. Even though her pairing with Ranveer feels off, her acting commands attention. And finally, Dhurandhar‘s force aka Ranveer Singh’s Hamza is a standout performance. Ranveer does justice to his character’s rage and resilience without overdoing it. Ranveer’s Hamza reveals himself slowly, but he owns the movie after the interval, which reflects his versatility as an actor.

Dhurandhar is now running in theatres.

Can you watch Dhurandhar with your family?: No, the film portrays explicit obscenity and gore.