There are films that arrive with hype, and then there are films that arrive with weight. Dhurandhar belongs to the second category. Directed by Aditya Dhar, this three-and-a-half-hour patriotic thriller lands with the promise of scale, intensity, and big emotions. With a massive cast led by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Gaurav Gera, and Sara Arjun. The film positions itself as a grand intelligence drama that dives deep into the world of spies, warfare, and national security. It is ambitious. It is loud. It is emotional. And it is clearly designed to leave an impact.
Dhurandhar tries to do something very difficult. It attempts to pack multiple timelines, complex intelligence operations, real-life incidents, and fictional elements into one cohesive narrative. That alone makes the film a bold undertaking. And while the runtime is long, the story never stops throwing surprises. This review covers everything you need to know about Dhurandhar.
Dhurandhar Story
The story begins in 1999 at the tense Kandahar airport during hijack negotiations. The atmosphere is charged. The stakes are high. The situation is a reminder of the dangerous world India was battling at the time. From there, the narrative moves into the Parliament attack chapter, showing how terrorism had invaded the nation across multiple fronts.
Dhurandhar is structured in chapters, each opening with a classic song that gives you a sense of era and mood. This format works well because it prepares you for the shift in tone and characters every time the film moves from one track to another.
The core of the story revolves around Hamza, played by Ranveer Singh. He is an undercover Indian intelligence agent who travels to Pakistan under a false identity. His mission ties into larger events, including counterfeit currency operations, terror financing, cross-border conflicts, hijackings, and the long-standing tension involving Balochistan. Aditya Dhar attempts to stitch these real-world elements into one large conspiracy thread.
While this sounds like a lot, the storytelling is surprisingly clear. Every chapter reveals a detail. Every detail pushes Hamza deeper into the mission. Every twist builds toward revenge. As we reach the final chapter, it becomes clear that Dhurandhar is not only about stopping an attack. It is about settling scores and facing enemies who have been haunting the nation for decades.
There are disturbing scenes that replicate the brutality of terror attacks. There is real Parliament attack footage woven into the narrative. Some sequences are difficult to watch, yet they hold significance because the film is deeply rooted in patriotism, intelligence work, and the high-risk lives of undercover operatives.
The film ensures every character has importance. Some appear for emotional weight. Some appear for strategic value. Some appear simply to push Hamza’s arc forward. But everyone fits into the puzzle.
By the time the first film ends, it becomes clear why Dhurandhar has been split into two parts. There is too much story here, and the world Aditya Dhar builds cannot be contained in one movie.
Dhurandhar Movie Review
Dhurandhar is intense from the first scene. There are multiple storylines. Multiple timelines. And multiple characters. Yet Aditya Dhar keeps the narrative surprisingly controlled. He answers every question. He doesn’t let the film collapse under its own weight. The research shows. The writing shows. The scale shows.
The biggest strength of the film is how intelligently it connects real incidents with fictional plotting. Every chapter feels like a piece of a large operation. The Parliament attack, the Mumbai attack, counterfeit currency networks, hijackings, underground ISI operations, and the Balochistan angle all blend into the story without confusion.
Some scenes stand out. The negotiation conversations during the 2008 Mumbai attacks are chilling. The early sequences at Kandahar instantly set the tone. Hamza’s transition into enemy territory is gripping. The action scenes are brutal but grounded. None of the violence feels forced. It serves the story.
The dialogues are strong and purposeful. They carry weight without becoming melodramatic. Even the abuses feel organic because the film doesn’t add them for shock value. They feel part of the world.
There is also creativity in how characters are introduced. Classic songs set the mood. The chapter format feels stylish. The pacing dips slightly in the middle but picks up quickly as the film heads toward its final act.
On the flip side, the film is long. Three and a half hours demand patience. A few sequences could have been shorter. And some important actors, like R. Madhavan, deserved more screen time. The overextension in a few scenes slightly weakens the impact.
The music of Dhurandhar is not just an add-on. It is part of the storytelling. It supports the emotion, lifts the drama, and keeps the momentum going throughout the film. Shashwat Sachdev’s compositions blend perfectly with Aditya Dhar’s narrative style. The soundtrack has range. It moves from high-intensity action cues to soft emotional moments without losing its grip. The background score is powerful. It elevates tense scenes and makes the dramatic moments feel heavier.
“Karwaan,” which plays during Ranveer’s entry, sets the tone for his character. It has attitude, swagger, and a sense of mission. Diljit Dosanjh’s songs bring a stylish punch to the film. They add color, energy, and personality to key moments. These tracks feel fresh within a patriotic thriller.
Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are expressive. He keeps them meaningful without making them poetic for the sake of it. The mix of old classics and ghazals through the chapters also works well. They create nostalgia and contrast beautifully with the intensity of the scenes.
The action sequences get a major boost from the score. The music builds tension without overpowering the visuals. The background theme associated with Ranveer’s character is especially strong. It stays with you even after the film ends. Dhurandhar is a cinematic event. It is patriotic, emotional, and action-heavy. It keeps you engaged almost throughout.
Dhurandhar Performances
Ranveer Singh is lethal in this film. He looks sharp, intense, and emotionally driven. His long-hair look, his eyes, and his body language all reflect the danger of the world he has stepped into. His performance is controlled and powerful. He doesn’t overplay the role. He gives Hamza depth, pain, and purpose. This is one of his strongest performances in recent years. Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam brings gravitas and authority.
Akshaye Khanna is brilliant as Rehman Baloch. He speaks little but conveys everything with expressions. He brings menace, intelligence, and unpredictability to the role. He makes you hate him. But he also makes you admire how effortlessly he performs.
R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal is effective, though underutilised. Arjun Rampal as ISI Major Iqbal is intense and convincing. Sara Arjun as Yaleena is surprisingly good. She brings innocence and emotional strength to her scenes. Rakesh Bedi adds depth. Gaurav Gera is unrecognizable and excellent in his disguise-based role. The casting is perfect. Every actor looks like they belong in the world.
Final Verdict
Dhurandhar is a gripping, emotional, and stylish patriotic thriller. It has scale, ambition, and strong performances. The storytelling is layered. The writing is sharp. And the action is impactful. It does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of terror and intelligence operations.
The runtime is long, and the second installment will carry more answers, but Dhurandhar still stands strong as a powerful first chapter. Dhurandhar 2 is set to arrive on March 19, 2026, during EID.
If you enjoy patriotic films with intelligence operations, emotional depth, and heavy action, this film is absolutely for you.
Rating: 
(4/5)
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