Director Aditya Dhar returns with his second film, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh. The promos and hit songs created strong hype. But a tweet from Yami Gautam, the heroine and Aditya Dhar’s wife, sparked controversy as she criticised Bollywood’s paid promotion culture. This led to negative posts from a section of the media. Now everyone is curious to see how well this 3.5-hour film entertains the audience.
Dhurandhar Story: After the 2001 Parliament attack, India launches “Operation Dhurandhar” and sends Hanza (Ranveer Singh) as an undercover agent into Pakistan. How he infiltrates local gangs, connects with the ISI Chief, and helps Indian intelligence forms the core story of Dhurandhar.
Performances: Madhavan delivers a terrific performance with perfect expressions and makeup that instantly remind you of Ajit Doval. Akshaye Khanna also shines with minimal dialogue but powerful expressions.
Ranveer Singh owns his strong character, but the lack of proper backstory makes it hard to connect, even though Part 2 hints at answers. Arjun Rampal is excellent as the cruel ISI chief. Sara Arjun looks too young for how she’s portrayed. Sanjay Dutt’s presence is good, but the obvious body-double action weakens his role.
Technical Aspects: Shashwat Sachdev’s songs and background score elevate the film beautifully. The selection of old songs is superb, and the playlist will surely go viral. The title track is especially powerful. Cinematography, makeup, art design, and prosthetic work are excellent, and the raw, realistic action scenes give a gripping experience.
Aditya Dhar presents a spy thriller in a gangster-drama style, which feels fresh despite a familiar story. However, the long 214-minute runtime and the incomplete ending are major drawbacks. The political commentary may also spark controversy, though some moments are impactful.
Analysis: Aditya Dhar brings a fresh colour to the spy-thriller genre, shining more as a director than a writer. He portrays the India–Pakistan conflict and the 26/11 attacks in a raw, unique way. Though the runtime feels lengthy, Dhurandhar stays engaging. Terrific music, stunning action, and strong casting make it a film worth experiencing in theatres.
Verdict: Dhurandhar offers a gripping spy thriller experience with stunning action, memorable music, and solid performances. Long runtime aside, it’s a visually engaging and entertaining film worth watching in theatres.
Bottom Line: Engaging spy thriller, must-watch.
Rating: 3/5
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