Overview
When the trailer was released month I caught myself murmuring a quiet hope: if brutality must be so raw may it be purposeful. For once the film deities consented. Aditya Dhar treats Dhurandhar with empathy and care crafting a palpable and profoundly engaging espionage universe.
Could this be Ranveer Singh’s moment? I wouldn’t claim that. Is this among the praised spy thrillers, in Indian films lately? Definitely. Would it outshine the Spy Universe” concept? In my opinion yes. Is it deserving of praise
Indeed the movie possesses some imperfections, especially regarding its duration. However with patience and sincerity it proves rewarding. Presented in parts and segmented into chapters (I lost track, around six or seven) each section quietly imparts the principles of its universe until you respond naturally.
Script Analysis
Dhurandhar dedicates an hour to establishing the groundwork executing it excellently. Ranveer Singh portrays Hamza, an operative firmly embedded within Pakistans political and militant circles. His cautious ascent—turning into the ally of Karachis two dominant figures—constitutes the core of the narrative.
The story remains fully set in Pakistan. Arjun Rampal portrays an ISI operative; Rakesh Bedi and Akshaye Khanna represent the competing factions controlling Karachis unstable landscape; Sanjay Dutt appears as a brutal and relentless Karachi law enforcement officer. Within this collection of individuals Hamza navigates—enduring, plotting and acting—to shift Karachis power dynamics in favor of India.
The tempo stays deliberate. Concentrated. Every chapter presents characters increasing the tension with every transition. The movie prefers intensity to fireworks, strategy, over showmanship.
Performances
Ranveer Singh’s power in this instance lies in his restraint. Maybe for the time, in a long while he allows the ensemble some space letting the movie exhale more freely. Initially I questioned: is he. Overlooking something? He’s doing neither. He syncs with the film’s idea: crafting a world via control.
R. Madhavan (Ajay Sanyal) and Akshaye Khanna (Rehman Dakait) serve as two foundations upholding the drama along with Singh. They do more than merely enhance; they take charge. In every character—from Arjun Rampal, to Sanjay Dutt—the secondary roles mesh seamlessly like crafted gears, each contributing to the drive.
His misstep lies in the plot. The Ranveer-Sara Arjun connection seems appended. Although the movie touches on the discomfort, around the age gap the fundamental issue is structural: this subplot neither intensifies nor releases the pressure. Trimming it allows the story to flow smoothly.
Direction
Aditya Dhar establishes two principles and holds them inviolate: refrain from glamorizing violence and reject boastful nationalism. He succeeds on both fronts. Dhurandhar isn’t an explosive action spectacle; it’s a measured espionage tale that emphasizes strategy, counterstrategy and subtle tension instead of high-energy showdowns. The story encircles its objectives, probes defenses and attacks deliberately— excessively yet with commendable precision.
What stands out is Dhar’s refusal to paint the frame in gratuitous red. He never falls in love with the spectacle of bloodletting. Even when the build-up risks wearing thin, he resists easy detours—no item numbers, no pandering song breaks. Brick by brick, he constructs the world he needs.