Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh Enters Pakistan and Proves Why Aditya Dhar’s Spy Vision Deserves Your Time
When the trailer of Dhurandhar dropped, expectations were sky-high. The promise was scale, intensity, and purpose-driven violence. Thankfully, Aditya Dhar delivers exactly that. This is not a loud, chest-thumping spy spectacle, but a dense, methodical espionage drama that demands patience and repays it generously.
Is this Ranveer Singh’s career-best performance? Not quite.
Is this among the strongest spy thrillers to emerge from Indian cinema in recent years? Absolutely yes.
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, R Madhavan, Gaurav Gera, Sara Arjun, and others
Director: Aditya Dhar
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 3 hours 32 minutes
Available On: Theatres
What Works: The detailed spy universe and narrative discipline
What Doesn’t: The excessive runtime
Loo Break: Only during the interval
Watch or Skip: Watch it, but come prepared with patience
What Dhurandhar Is About
Dhurandhar is not in a hurry to impress you. It spends nearly an hour laying its foundation, and that is both its biggest risk and its greatest strength.
Ranveer Singh plays Hamza, an Indian intelligence asset embedded deep inside Pakistan. His mission is not explosive heroism but long-term infiltration. Slowly, carefully, he becomes part of Pakistan’s political and terror ecosystem, positioning himself close to the most powerful figures in Karachi.
The story unfolds entirely on Pakistani soil. Arjun Rampal portrays an ISI officer, Akshaye Khanna and Rakesh Bedi play influential political power brokers, while Sanjay Dutt appears as a ruthless Karachi police officer. Amid these dangerous men, Hamza survives by thinking ahead, manipulating loyalties, and playing the long game for India’s strategic advantage.
Script Analysis
The screenplay unfolds in chapters, each building on the previous one. The narrative structure is deliberate and layered, making you absorb information slowly rather than spoon-feeding it. This is not a film that rushes from set piece to set piece. It teaches you its world before asking you to engage with it.
The biggest drawback remains the length. At over three and a half hours, the film can feel exhausting, particularly in the first half. Some trims would have made the experience tighter without affecting the core plot. That said, the writing ensures that even slower stretches serve a narrative purpose.
Performances That Hold the Film Together
Ranveer Singh approaches Hamza with remarkable restraint. He never overwhelms the film or turns it into a star vehicle. Instead, he allows the world and the characters around him to breathe. Initially, his performance may feel understated, but as the film progresses, the depth of his portrayal becomes clear.
Akshaye Khanna and R Madhavan emerge as the strongest supporting pillars. Khanna is especially compelling, bringing quiet menace and authority to his role. Madhavan lends moral weight and intelligence to the narrative, grounding the espionage drama emotionally.
Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal are effective in their respective roles, adding texture rather than theatrics. A pleasant surprise comes from Gaurav Gera, whose brief appearance delivers one of the film’s most impactful lines, encapsulating the Indo-Pak conflict with sharp clarity.
The romantic subplot involving Sara Arjun, however, feels unnecessary. It neither deepens the narrative nor heightens tension, and removing it could have saved valuable runtime.
Direction and Music
Aditya Dhar once again proves his command over restrained nationalism. He avoids glorifying violence or turning patriotism into spectacle. The film operates on strategy, patience, and psychological warfare rather than action-heavy adrenaline.
Violence is purposeful, never ornamental. Dhar also resists the temptation to insert songs or commercial distractions, staying focused on the story he wants to tell. His refusal to dilute the narrative with unnecessary elements is a major reason Dhurandhar works despite its length.
The background score subtly enhances tension without overpowering scenes. Songs are used sparingly and remain in the background, ensuring the narrative momentum stays intact.
Dhurandhar Movie Review: Final Verdict
Dhurandhar is not an easy watch, but it is a rewarding one. It asks for your time, attention, and patience, and in return offers a thoughtfully constructed spy thriller that values intelligence over noise.
The climax and post-credit sequence tie back beautifully to the promise made in Uri: The Surgical Strike, reinforcing Aditya Dhar’s evolving spy vision. By the end, the long runtime feels justified, even if imperfect.
If you can sit through its slow burn, Dhurandhar stands tall as one of the most mature and disciplined spy films in Indian cinema.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
FAQs
Is Dhurandhar based on a true story?
Dhurandhar is a fictional spy thriller but draws inspiration from realistic intelligence operations and geopolitical tensions.
How long is the movie Dhurandhar?
The runtime of Dhurandhar is approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Is Dhurandhar connected to Uri: The Surgical Strike?
While not a direct sequel, Dhurandhar continues Aditya Dhar’s thematic vision and ends with a callback to Uri.
Where can I watch Dhurandhar?
Dhurandhar is currently available in theatres.
Is Dhurandhar action-heavy?
No. Despite being a spy thriller, the film focuses more on strategy, mind games, and long-term planning rather than nonstop action.
Is Dhurandhar worth watching?
Yes, especially for viewers who enjoy slow-burn espionage dramas and layered storytelling.
