We have reviewed few movies, web series in past! Now, the Dhurandhar Review!
Director: Aditya Dhar | Cast: Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal | Genre: Spy Action-Thriller | Runtime: 3 hours, 34 minutes | Rating: A (for strong violence)
Dhurandhar: The Weight of Expectation
After the seismic success of Uri: The Surgical Strike, director Aditya Dhar returns with Dhurandhar, an espionage epic that has commanded attention long before its release—not least for its massive ensemble cast and controversial political backdrop. Thrilled to go for Dhurandhar Review! Pitched as a grounded, brutal look at India’s covert operations set against the shadows of the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack, the film arrives with a formidable runtime of 214 minutes. The question dominating the conversation isn’t whether the action is good, but whether Dhar can sustain an intense, non-linear narrative for well over three hours. Does Dhurandhar live up to its promise of being a ‘durable stalwart’ of the genre, or does its sheer scale prove too unwieldy?
Screenplay, Scope, and Structural Integrity
The film hinges on IB Chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan) recruiting the volatile, revenge-driven Hamza (Ranveer Singh) to infiltrate the brutal Karachi underworld. Dhar’s screenplay ambitiously weaves true-life geopolitical tensions with fictionalized operations, specifically drawing from the grit of Operation Lyari. Does this historical weight feel earned, or does it become exploitative political theater? The first half’s two-hour-plus length tests the patience; while the setup is meticulous, does the narrative momentum stall, or does the editor, Shivkumar V. Panicker, manage to keep the threads tight? During the Dhurandhar Review the critique must center on the pacing: is the length an artistic necessity for depth, or a self-indulgent flaw that weakens the film’s punch?
The Clash of Stalwarts: Performance Analysis
Dhurandhar is less a one-man show and more a thrilling clash of antagonists and strategists. Ranveer Singh sheds his characteristic exuberance, embodying the raw intensity required for a character operating solely on instinct and violence. His physical transformation is commendable, but the review must analyze the emotional depth: does he successfully convey the character’s internal conflict, or is the performance limited to physical prowess?
We believe during Dhurandhar Review, that the film’s true strength, however, lies in its veterans. R. Madhavan as Sanyal, the composed strategist (loosely based on Ajit Doval), and the chillingly effective Akshaye Khanna as the crime lord Rehman Dakait, stand out. Who steals the show? Akshaye Khanna’s calculated menace or Sanjay Dutt’s impact as SP Chaudhary Aslam? The review must detail how the ensemble chemistry elevates what could have been a standard spy film.
Dhurandhar Review: Technical Prowess and Violence
Vikash Nowlakha’s cinematography is tasked with creating a dark, gritty, and authentic landscape, moving from the sterile environments of intelligence headquarters to the dusty, violent streets of Karachi (recreated in Thailand). Is the look atmospheric, or does the relentless color grading become monotonous?
Crucially, the film’s ‘A’ rating for strong violence means the action choreography (led by Yannick Ben, Aejaz Gulab, etc.) is likely the centerpiece. The review must assess the action: is it stylised and cinematic, or visceral and grounded, reflecting the narrative’s demand for realism? Does the violence serve the plot’s thematic severity, or is it gratuitous? The sound design and Shashwat Sachdev’s background score must also be evaluated for how they amplify the tension without drowning out the drama.
Dhurandhar Review: Verdict
Dhurandhar is undeniably bold, ambitious, and brutal—a film that refuses to offer easy answers or comfortable running times. It demands engagement, but does it reward it? Ultimately, the success of this film rests on whether its 214 minutes deliver a cinematic experience that is not only thrilling but thematically justified.
★★★★☆ (4.0/5 Stars)
Department | Rating |
|---|---|
Overall | ★★★★☆ |
Direction (Aditya Dhar) | ★★★★☆ |
Performance (Ensemble) | ★★★★½ |
Action & Choreography | ★★★★½ |
Screenplay & Pacing | ★★★½☆ |
Cinematography & Sound | ★★★★☆ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the running time of Dhurandhar?
A: Dhurandhar has a total running time of 3 hours and 34 minutes (214 minutes), with the first half alone clocking in at over two hours.
Q: Is Dhurandhar based on a true story?
A: The film is inspired by real-life incidents, geopolitical conflicts, and covert operations of RAW, loosely based on Operation Lyari, a crackdown on crime syndicates in Karachi. The director has clarified it is not a biopic of Major Mohit Sharma.
Q: Which actors are part of the Dhurandhar cast?
A: The ensemble cast includes Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun.
Would you catch Dhurandhar this weekend? Do let us know, if you agree with our rating? Let us know in the comments below, and share your favorite performance from the all-star cast! Don’t forget to subscribe for more honest, in-depth film analysis.
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