Back in December, Dhurandhar stormed into theatres and quickly turned into one of those rare releases that refuses to slow down. Strong box office numbers were only part of the story. Online chatter exploded around the film’s music, its slick technical polish, and, most notably, Ranveer Singh’s striking physical and emotional transformation. Adding to the buzz was Akshaye Khanna, whose quiet menace and effortless swagger became a talking point of their own.
The appreciation didn’t stop with audiences. Filmmakers and actors across the industry began openly praising director Aditya Dhar for delivering a film that blended scale with control. Names like Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Vivek Agnihotri, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan, and Vicky Kaushal all shared their admiration for the film. And even weeks after its release, the praise shows no sign of fading.
Subhash Ghai joins the praise train
The latest big name to celebrate Dhurandhar is veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai. A day after watching the film, Ghai took to Instagram to personally congratulate Aditya Dhar, calling the film a rare example of artistic filmmaking thriving on a commercial platform.
In his post, Ghai highlighted Dhar’s attention to detail, praising the chapter-wise storytelling, layered conflicts, strong character arcs, casting choices, costumes, cinematography, and grounded action. He also applauded the performances across the board, pointing out how even the smallest roles left an impact while building a believable world of Pakistani gangs and political power struggles. Ghai ended his note by saying the film truly deserved its commercial success and offered his blessings to the entire Dhurandhar team.
Inside the world of Dhurandhar
At its core, Dhurandhar is an intense anti-terror covert operation drama. Ranveer Singh plays Hamza, an undercover agent sent deep into Karachi’s criminal and political underworld. Akshaye Khanna delivers a ferocious turn as gangster Rehman Dakait, while R. Madhavan appears as Ajay Sanyal, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
The ensemble cast further elevates the film. Arjun Rampal plays ISI’s Major Iqbal, Rakesh Bedi portrays a senior leader of the Pakistan Awami Party, and Sara Arjun features as his onscreen daughter and Hamza’s love interest. One of the film’s most talked-about performances comes from Sanjay Dutt, who won hearts as SP Chaudhary Aslam, the formidable head of the Lyari Task Force.
What worked — and why it clicked
Beyond performances, Dhurandhar stood out for its controlled storytelling. Instead of relying solely on spectacle, the film balanced scale with emotional tension, making its action feel earned rather than excessive. Aditya Dhar’s grip on tone—serious without becoming heavy—helped the film appeal to both mass audiences and cinephiles.
What’s next
With its theatrical run still strong and industry praise pouring in, excitement has already shifted toward the sequel. Movie lovers are now eagerly waiting for Dhurandhar 2, which is slated to hit theatres on March 19.
If the response to the first film is any indication, Dhurandhar may have just set the foundation for a franchise that Bollywood didn’t know it needed—but is clearly ready to embrace.
