Dhurandhar Review: With Dhurandhar, filmmaker Aditya Dhar delivers one of his most intense and politically charged works yet. Known for his ability to fuse nationalism with gripping storytelling—as seen in Uri and Article 370—Dhar expands his canvas with a lengthy 212-minute drama that blends history, geopolitics and gangster intrigue.
The film follows Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan), a strategist clearly modelled on real-life intelligence figures, who waits for the right political regime to authorize a covert mission across the border. The narrative begins when a senior minister, portrayed by Akash Khurana, permits Sanyal to infiltrate Karachi’s Lyari underworld, a hotspot of gang wars and alleged anti-India activities.
Structured into chapters, the film revisits the wounds of events like the Kandhar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, appealing to audiences disillusioned by years of strained neighbourly ties. Dhar’s vision is unapologetically nationalistic, portraying a government that prefers action over restraint.
The film’s raw violence, harsh language and documentary-like inserts give Dhurandhar a gritty, almost anarchic feel. In many ways, it mirrors the energy of Gangs of Wasseypur, but with a pro-establishment tone and a heavier geopolitical context.
Hamza (Ranveer Singh), a ruthless undercover agent, enters Lyari to gain the trust of Baloch gang leader Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna). Rehman works for political manipulator Jameel Jamali (Rakesh Bedi), and Hamza cleverly exploits their ambitions to fracture their alliance. Akshaye Khanna stands tall among the ensemble with a magnetic performance—menacing, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. Rakesh Bedi brings surprising depth, shifting effortlessly between humour and villainy.
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The music by Shashwat Sachdev heightens the suspense, while Usha Uthup’s iconic voice in “Rambha Ho” creates an interesting contrast during action sequences. Despite Ranveer Singh’s dedicated performance, his chemistry with Sara Arjun feels underwhelming, and his relentless intensity becomes repetitive next to Khanna’s hypnotic screen presence.
Dhurandhar is ambitious, provocative and emotionally charged. While not flawless, it is powered by exceptional performances—especially Akshaye Khanna, who delivers one of his sharpest turns in years.
