Dhurandhar Movie Review: In the shadowy corridors of Bollywood spy thrillers, where patriotism collides with pulse-pounding espionage, Dhurandhar (transl. Stalwart) emerges as a thunderous force. Released on December 5, 2025, this Aditya Dhar directorial – his follow-up to the National Award-winning Uri: The Surgical Strike – transforms Ranveer Singh into a rugged undercover agent, blending real-life inspirations like the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack into a sprawling, 214-minute saga of betrayal, grit, and glory.
With an ensemble that’s a who’s-who of Hindi cinema, Dhurandhar isn’t just a film; it’s a cinematic detonation, earning mixed-to-positive acclaim for its ambitious scope and stellar turns, while topping charts as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 with ₹313.50 crore worldwide. For fans searching “Dhurandhar movie review,” “Ranveer Singh spy thriller,” or “best Bollywood action movies 2025,” this is the unfiltered deep dive – a tale of high-stakes heroism that redefines the genre.
Dhar’s vision, co-produced under Jio Studios and B62 Studios, clocks in at 3 hours 34 minutes with an ‘A’ certificate, demanding commitment but rewarding with Shakespearean twists and visceral action. As IMDb users rave (8.5/10 from over 1 million ratings), it’s “truly cinema” – intelligent, immersive, and unapologetically long. Yet, not all are convinced; critics flag pacing dips in its epic runtime. Streaming soon on Netflix (post-theatrical window, expected January 2026), Dhurandhar cements Dhar’s rep as Bollywood’s go-to for grounded patriotism. If Pathaan was spectacle, this is substance – raw, relentless, and riveting.
Dhurandhar Plot Summary: Undercover Fury in the Heart of the Enemy
Set against the turbulent early 2000s, Dhurandhar kicks off with Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan), scarred by the 1999 Kandahar hijacking and the 2001 Parliament assault. Rallying External Affairs Minister Devarat Kapoor (Akash Khurana), Sanyal greenlights “Operation Dhurandhar” – a daring infiltration into Pakistan’s underworld to dismantle the ISI-terror nexus from within.
Enter the titular “Dhurandhar” (Ranveer Singh), a shadowy operative who slips into Karachi’s gang-ridden underbelly like a ghost in the machine. Posing as a ruthless enforcer, he climbs the ranks amid brutal turf wars, forging uneasy alliances with figures like the menacing Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) and the volatile underworld don (Sanjay Dutt). Flashbacks reveal his tormented past, while present-day betrayals – including a Shakespearean stab from a trusted ally (Arjun Rampal) – test his resolve. Sara Arjun shines as his conflicted love interest, a local journalist torn between heart and homeland.
Without spoilers, the narrative weaves high-octane set pieces (a midnight dockyard ambush, a high-speed chase through Lahore’s bazaars) with moral quandaries: Is vengeance justice? The climax erupts in a multi-layered showdown, setting up the promised Part 2 for Eid 2026. Inspired by Ajit Doval’s exploits (earning Singh the “James Bond of India” moniker), it’s a love letter to unsung spies. For plot deets, Wikipedia and Bollywood Hungama offer comprehensive breakdowns.
Cast and Crew: A Power-Packed Ensemble Under Dhar’s Command
Aditya Dhar’s sophomore slam-dunk reunites him with Uri scribe Shashwat Sachdev for a score that fuses pulsating originals with nostalgic Bollywood classics (R.D. Burman nods galore). Cinematographer Vikas Nowlakha captures the grime of Karachi’s alleys and the tension of Delhi’s war rooms with stark realism, while editor Shivkumar V. Panicker trims the sprawl just enough. Producers Jyoti Deshpande, Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar ensure a ₹280 crore budget translates to global shoots and VFX heft.
The cast? A dream lineup of method actors elevating pulp to prestige.
| Role | Actor/Actress | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The Dhurandhar (Lead Spy) | Ranveer Singh | A career-best reinvention – from flamboyant to feral; his intensity and physicality (bulked-up, scarred) anchor the chaos. “Peak Ranveer,” per Times of India. |
| Ajay Sanyal (IB Chief) | R. Madhavan | Gravitas personified; his quiet fury drives the emotional core, blending vulnerability with steel. |
| Rehman Dakait (Underworld Boss) | Akshaye Khanna | Chilling charisma; swag, silences, and dialogue delivery make him a standout villain. Echoes his Chaava acclaim. |
| The Don (Gang Leader) | Sanjay Dutt | Larger-than-life menace; ramps up mid-film with explosive presence – pure mass appeal. |
| Betrayer Ally | Arjun Rampal | Brooding intensity; his arc delivers the film’s gut-punch twists. |
| Love Interest/Journalist | Sara Arjun | Debut dazzler; nuanced poise amid romance and espionage – a fresh voice. |
| Supporting: Minister, Henchmen | Akash Khurana, Rakesh Bedi, Vikash Rai | Depth in cameos; Bedi’s comic relief cuts the tension. |
Full credits at Filmibeat. Singh’s transformation – tattoos, dialect mastery – steals scenes, but Khanna’s “mind-blowing” Rehman is the revelation.
Dhurandhar Strengths: What Makes Dhurandhar a Spy Saga Supreme
- Raw, Realistic Action: Dhar ditches glossy CGI for gritty, bone-crunching sequences – think John Wick in Karachi. A 10-minute gang war is a masterclass in choreography, earning 123Telugu’s nod for “impressive” realism.
- Ensemble Firepower: Every role pops – Singh’s ferocity, Khanna’s menace, Madhavan’s subtlety. It’s a “character study wrapped in espionage,” as BookMyShow praises (9.2/10 from 114K votes).
- Patriotic Pulse with Depth: Beyond jingoism, it probes spy psyches – isolation, sacrifice. Sachdev’s score (blending EDM drops with soulful qawwalis) amplifies the mood.
- World-Building Wizardry: Karachi’s underworld feels lived-in; betrayals land like gut punches. The 214-minute runtime? A strength for immersion, per IMDb fans.
- Technical Triumph: Nowlakha’s lensing and VFX (de-aging for flashbacks) elevate it to global standards. Gadgets 360 hails the “audacious swagger.”
Weaknesses: The Epic’s Achilles’ Heel?
At 214 minutes, Dhurandhar tests bladders and patience – mid-act lulls drag the momentum, echoing Uri‘s bloat critiques. Some narrative threads (subplots with minor henchmen) feel extraneous, and the patriotic fervor occasionally veers preachy. As India TV notes, it’s “gripping” but “overlong” for casual viewers. Pacing inconsistencies aside, it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise bold blueprint.
Trailer Spotlight: The Explosive Tease That Lit the Fuse
Dropped on November 18, 2025, the 2:40 official trailer amassed 59 million YouTube views in days, kicking off with Arjun Rampal twisting Zia-ul-Haq’s infamous line into a blood oath. Ranveer’s gravelly voiceover (“Tum logon ke patakhe khatam ho gaye hain, toh main dhamaka shuru karun?”) sets the savage tone, intercutting brutal fights, shadowy meets, and emotional fractures. Watch the adrenaline rush here: YouTube Official Trailer. Reactions? “Animal ka baap,” per PJ Explained – a bar-raiser for Indian cinema.
OTT and Similar Spy Thrillers: Binge the Espionage Echoes
Dhurandhar Part 1 hits Netflix around January 30, 2026 (₹130 crore deal for both parts), per Business Standard and GQ India. For now, crave similar vibes? Here’s a binge table of Bollywood spy thrillers:
| Movie | OTT Platform | Why Similar? | Quick Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) | Netflix | Dhar’s debut; real-event patriotism, intense ops. | Vicky Kaushal’s breakout – raw revenge raid. |
| Pathaan (2023) | Prime Video | SRK’s spy spectacle; global chases, ensemble action. | High-octane YRF spy-verse kickoff. |
| Raazi (2018) | Netflix | Undercover in Pakistan; emotional espionage. | Alia Bhatt’s poignant patriot – subtle thrills. |
| Ek Tha Tiger (2012) | YouTube | RAW agent romance; cross-border intrigue. | Salman-Katrina chemistry with Salman Khan spies. |
| Madras Cafe (2013) | Prime Video | 1980s Sri Lanka ops; gritty realism. | John Abraham’s moral maze – underrated gem. |
| Baby (2015) | Zee5 | Elite spy squad; high-stakes missions. | Akshay Kumar’s no-nonsense team takedown. |
| Mission Majnu (2023) | Netflix | Sid Malhotra undercover; nuclear threats. | True-inspired tension – quick, twisty watch. |
Curated from Times Now and ZEE5 Blog. Stream Tehran or London Confidential on ZEE5 for immediate fixes.
Box Office Blitz: A Theatrical Tsunami
Opening at ₹45 crore (beating Saiyaara‘s Day 1), Dhurandhar surged to ₹180 crore by Day 6, per India TV. Week 1: ₹259.52 crore domestic; overseas ₹53.98 crore. WOM propelled a 47% Day 4 dip into steady holds – a 2025 hit en route to ₹400+ crore.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars – Bold, Brutal, Bollywood’s New Benchmark
Dhurandhar roars onto screens as a flawed masterpiece – epic in ambition, electric in execution. Ranveer’s ferocious pivot and Dhar’s deft direction make it essential for thriller aficionados, though its length may deter the faint-hearted. In a year of sequels, this original stands tall: a stalwart for Indian cinema. Catch it in IMAX before Part 2 detonates in 2026. As 123Telugu sums: “Sincere and well-made spy saga.”
Dhurandhar Official Trailer | Ranveer Singh | Aditya Dhar | In Cinemas 5th December 2025
#RanveerSingh #SanjayDutt #AkshayeKhanna #RMadhavan #ArjunRampal #SaraArjun #AdityaDhar @shashwatsachdev #JioStudios #B62Studios
FAQs
What is the release date of Dhurandhar movie?
Dhurandhar hit theaters on December 5, 2025, as the first part of a two-film series; Part 2 arrives Eid 2026.
Who are the main stars in Dhurandhar with Ranveer Singh?
The ensemble includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and debutante Sara Arjun.
Where can I watch Dhurandhar on OTT platforms?
Post-theatrical, it streams on Netflix from late January 2026; rights fetched ₹130 crore for both parts.
Is Dhurandhar based on true events?
Yes, inspired by real ops like IC-814 hijacking and Parliament attack, echoing Ajit Doval’s legacy.
What’s the runtime and certification of Dhurandhar?
214 minutes with an ‘A’ (adults only) rating for intense violence and language.
