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Honest Dhurandhar Movie Review

Released nationwide on December 5, 2025, Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar is being hailed as one of the most intense spy films in recent Hindi cinema.

Backed by real incidents, including the IC-814 hijacking, the Parliament attack, and Pakistan’s Operation Lyari, the film transforms historical pain points into a high-voltage revenge drama.

Our honest verdict: it is a technically superior, actor-driven thriller that leaves you exhilarated, yet slightly exhausted by its deliberate “Part 1” approach.

Story & Execution: Brutal, Authentic, and Unapologetically Long

Dhurandhar follows IB chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan, modelled on Ajit Doval), who recruits death-row convict Hamza (Ranveer Singh) and turns him into India’s deadliest undercover asset inside Pakistan’s terror-gang nexus.

The narrative shifts between Karachi’s blood-soaked lanes and Delhi’s war rooms, featuring Shakespearean betrayals and bone-crunching action.

The first half is near-flawless, featuring tight writing, an immersive atmosphere, and no songs to break the momentum.

Following the interval, the film unleashes some of the most grounded hand-to-hand combat sequences ever seen in mainstream Hindi cinema.

However, at 214 minutes, certain emotional subplots overstay their welcome, and the climax deliberately ends with a massive sequel hook (Part 2 arrives March 19, 2026), which feels like a cop-out for standalone satisfaction.

Performances: Career-Best Turns All Around

Ranveer Singh delivers a volcanic, restrained performance, easily his finest since Padmaavat. The transformation from street criminal to “Wrath of God” is chillingly believable.
R. Madhavan is ice-cold brilliance as the ruthless strategist; every dialogue lands like a bullet.
Akshaye Khanna as gangster Rehman Dakait oozes terrifying charisma in limited screen time.
Arjun Rampal surprises as the suave yet lethal ISI officer Major Iqbal.
Sanjay Dutt brings old-school intensity to the real-life-inspired role of SP Chaudhary Aslam.

Sara Arjun, playing Hamza’s love interest, is sincere but gets sidelined by the testosterone-heavy plot.

Technical Brilliance Meets Minor Hiccups

Cinematography, sound design, and hand-to-hand choreography are of world-class quality.

The background score keeps the tension dialed to eleven.

Only gripes: a couple of forced songs and occasional heavy-handed patriotism that may be perceived as propaganda by sensitive viewers.

Honest Final Verdict

Dhurandhar is a bold, brutal, and largely successful attempt to redefine the Indian spy genre on the big screen.

It is not perfect; the length and sequel-bait ending will divide audiences, but the sheer power of performances and technical craft make it compulsory viewing for anyone who loves high-stakes thrillers.

Rating: 4/5 – Book your tickets for Ranveer’s roar and stay for the goosebumps. Just brace yourself for the “To Be Continued” card.