Dhurandhar 2025 Movie Review
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar arrives as a bold, painstakingly mounted espionage thriller that thrives on scale, ambition, and sheer cinematic craft. It is a film that demands patience for its towering 214-minute runtime, but richly rewards those who stay with it. With top-notch production values, memorable set pieces, and some of the finest performances of the year, Dhurandhar stands tall as a big-screen experience meant to be felt as much as watched.
Inspired by true events, Dhar’s story is inherently gripping. The screenplay is layered and compelling, especially in how it maps the journey of an ordinary Indian man who infiltrates the heart of Pakistan’s political machinery. The tension is relentless, yet the storytelling never becomes loud or preachy. However, the writing does stretch thin in the first half. Aditya Dhar dialogues are passionate, often theatrical, and suit the film’s soaring tone.
Dhurandhar is packed with sequences that are crafted for maximum impact. The infiltration episodes are particularly thrilling sharp, suspenseful, and rooted in strategy rather than convenient heroism. The intermission arrives at a nail-biting turning point, leaving audiences gasping. Post-interval, Hamza’s descent into madness is exceptionally staged. The finale, a brutal and emotionally charged fight sequence, serves as a fitting crescendo. The only major drawback: the length. At nearly 3 hours and 34 minutes, the film demands more endurance than necessary. A tighter edit could have easily elevated its impact.
Ranveer Singh delivers one of the most outstanding performances of his career. He inhabits the character with remarkable intensity and vulnerability. Akshaye Khanna is phenomenal, expressing oceans through the subtlest shifts in his eyes. Sanjay Dutt is electrifying, commanding, and immensely watchable. Arjun Rampal, though limited in screen time, makes every moment count. R. Madhavan is terrific, leaving a lasting impact with his portrayal. Sara Arjun makes a decent debut, though her chemistry with Ranveer feels oddly underdeveloped. Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, Naveen Kaushik, and Danish Pandor round out the supporting cast with assured performances.
Music is a mixed bag but effective. The title track is already a sensation. “Ishq Jalakar – Karvaan” emerges as the standout. “Gehra Hua” is soothing and well-placed. Cinematography is spectacular, the frames are rich, atmospheric, and visually arresting, making the film feel even larger than its scale. The action Choreography is gritty, dynamic, and rooted in physical realism. A gripping spectacle that could have been a masterpiece with tighter editing.
