Spy thrillers have been booming in Bollywood, but Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar feels like an entirely different beast — quieter, heavier, more methodically constructed. It’s not the flashiest film in the genre, nor the easiest to sit through, but it brings a sincerity and discipline that’s rare in mainstream spy dramas. And while Ranveer Singh has delivered far more flamboyant performances in the past, this one thrives on restraint and world-building rather than star theatrics.

If there’s one thing Dhar asks of his audience, it’s simple: bring patience — because Dhurandhar takes its time before revealing its true grip.

The Story: A Deep-Cover Mission That Slowly Unfolds

The film drops us into the aftermath of the Kandhara hijack negotiations, with R. Madhavan playing an IB chief whose look and manner are clearly inspired by Ajit Doval. His warnings about long-term terror strategies are brushed aside — until the 2001 Parliament attack forces a rethink.

This is where Operation Dhurandhar is born.

Ranveer Singh becomes the face of that mission, slipping into Pakistan under the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari. Not much is revealed about his real past, but his devotion to India is absolute. His task: infiltrate Karachi’s political and criminal circuits, gather intel, and dismantle terror networks from within.

His deep-cover journey spans nearly a decade, leading up to the 26/11 attack — an operation he anticipates but tragically cannot stop. The emotional impact of that failure becomes the film’s turning point, shaping the rest of Hamza’s actions.

Performances: Ranveer Leads an Excellent Ensemble

Ranveer Singh plays Hamza with unusual restraint — no theatrics, no star-heavy swagger. Instead, he sits quietly in character, allowing the story and the world around him to breathe.

Akshaye Khanna is magnetic as Rahman Dikkait, delivering a measured performance that grounds the entire Karachi arc.
Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal bring grit and unpredictability to their roles.

Even then, the runtime is so dense that no amount of strong acting fully saves the dragging pace — especially in the first half.

Direction & Music: Aditya Dhar Chooses Grit Over Glamour

Dhar deserves credit for sticking to a grounded, anti-glamour approach.
He resists flashy action sequences, avoids over-the-top patriotic monologues, and keeps the focus on espionage, strategy, and psychological pressure.

His two biggest wins:

• Violence never becomes aesthetic — no unnecessary slow-motion bloodshed.
• The spy world feels lived in, layered, and carefully researched.

The background score is sharp and atmospheric, though surprisingly, the widely hyped Dhurandhar title track barely appears — a missed opportunity in key scenes.

What Worked

✔ A detailed, realistic espionage setting

The world-building is rich and believable.

✔ Strong performances from the entire cast

Ranveer’s restraint, Khanna’s intensity, and Madhavan’s gravitas hold the film together.

✔ Dhar avoids jingoism

A refreshing move in a genre often tempted by chest-thumping patriotism.

✔ Emotional moments land strongly

Hamza’s breakdown after 26/11 and his quiet street-side crying scene are standouts.

✔ The climax and post-credit tease hit hard

Dhar echoes the spirit of Uri without repeating its tone.

What Didn’t Work

✘ The 3-hour-32-minute runtime

Simply put — this film is too long.
It needed trimming, especially with a second part already planned.

✘ Uneven pacing in the first half

The buildup is important, but often feels tedious.

✘ A romance subplot that adds nothing

Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun’s track feels misplaced and affects pacing.

✘ VFX in violent scenes is inconsistent

Some moments unintentionally land as comedic rather than intense.

✘ Chapter-style storytelling is intriguing but exhausting

Ten chapters is ambitious, but the format slows momentum.

Final Verdict: A Strong Spy Thriller That Needs Sharper Editing, But Rewards Patience

Dhurandhar is not a masterpiece — but it is a compelling, well-researched, emotionally grounded spy thriller that delivers big moments after a slow, demanding start. Dhar’s world-building is excellent, the performances are committed, and the film’s ideological clarity sets it apart from louder entries in the genre.

The climax and post-credit reveal genuinely pay off the wait.

But yes — the wait is long.

If you can handle the runtime, you’ll find a spy drama with depth, grit and ambition.

⭐ Rating: 4/5