Movie Review: Dhurandhar (2025) Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Director: Aditya Dhar
If you’ve been anywhere near a theater in the last ten days, you know Dhurandhar isn’t just a movie anymore—it’s a mood. Released on December 5, 2025, Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller has already shattered box office records (sorry, Pushpa 2), but does it actually live up to the hype?
I watched it this weekend, and here is my unfiltered, honest review of the film that has everyone talking.
“Dhurandhar” The Story & Emotions: Dark, Gritty, and Unforgiving
First things first: leave your expectations of a “masala spy entertainer” at the door. Dhurandhar is not about flying cars or slow-motion entries. It is a dense, psychological war drama.
The plot centers on “Operation Dhurandhar,” an undercover mission to dismantle terror infrastructure from the inside. The film doesn’t shy away from the brutality of espionage. The references to real-life horrors like the IC-814 hijacking and the 26/11 attacks hit hard, creating an atmosphere of dread rather than excitement.
The Emotional Quotient: This is where the movie surprises you. It’s not a tear-jerker in the traditional sense, but it is deeply unsettling. The film explores the psychological toll on spies—the loneliness, the stress, and the absolute loss of identity. The scene where Ranveer’s character has to suppress his reaction to a horrific event while undercover is haunting. However, the film is heavy on testosterone; the lack of a strong female perspective (despite Sara Arjun’s presence) makes the emotional palette feel a bit one-sided.
“Dhurandhar” Cast & Acting: Akshaye Khanna Steals the Throne
Let’s be real—Ranveer Singh is the face of the movie, but Akshaye Khanna is its soul.
- Ranveer Singh (Hamza/Jaskirat): Ranveer brings a simmering, restrained intensity that we haven’t seen since Lootera, mixed with the menace of Khilji. He plays a man on the edge of sanity perfectly. His transformation from a loyal gangster henchman to a broken patriot is convincing, though his “mad eye” acting sometimes feels a bit familiar.
- Akshaye Khanna (Rehman Dakait): The showstopper. As the complex antagonist Rehman, he is terrifying yet strangely charismatic. He doesn’t need to shout to be scary; his silence does the heavy lifting. The reviews aren’t lying—he absolutely owns the screen.
- The Supporting Pillars: R. Madhavan (Ajay Sanyal) and Arjun Rampal (Major Iqbal) have limited screen time but massive impact. Madhavan brings a calm authority that grounds the chaos, while Rampal looks genuinely menacing as the mastermind. Sanjay Dutt fits the role of the veteran cop Chaudhary Aslam like a glove.
“Dhurandhar” Songs & Music: A Mix of Nostalgia and War Cries
The soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev is a mixed bag that somehow works for the film’s tone.
- “Sher-e-Baloch”: This track is a banger. It’s not just a song; it’s a plot device that signals the shift in power dynamics. The Arabic beats combined with Akshaye Khanna’s swag make it the visual highlight of the film.
- “Karwaan Ki Talaash Hain”: A beautiful nod to the classic Barsat Ki Raat. It hits that nostalgia button hard, serving as a rare moment of calm in a chaotic screenplay.
- Background Score: The real hero. The BGM is relentless and elevates the tension during the action sequences, even if the editing sometimes feels a bit choppy.
Fast Facts & Box Office Domination
For the number crunchers and trivia geeks, here are the stats that matter:
- Box Office Monster: In just 10 days, Dhurandhar has crossed ₹350 Crore in India alone, beating the second-weekend records of blockbusters like KGF 2 and Pushpa 2.
- The Twist: Without spoiling it, the ending re-contextualizes the entire three-hour runtime. The reveal about Ranveer’s “true” identity is a masterstroke that sets up the sequel perfectly.
- Sequel Confirmed: You won’t have to wait long. The post-credits scene confirms Dhurandhar Part 2 is dropping in March 2026, promising more screen time for R. Madhavan.
- Runtime: It is long (over 3.5 hours). You will feel the length, so plan your restroom breaks accordingly.
Final Verdict
Dhurandhar is not perfect. It’s too long, occasionally too violent, and the VFX in a few scenes is shaky. But as a political thriller, it is a muscular, ambitious piece of cinema that respects the audience’s intelligence.
Watch it for: Akshaye Khanna’s career-best performance and a spy story that feels dangerously real.
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