Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh’s Explosive Comeback in a High-Intensity Spy Drama

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Story Overview
3. Performances
4. Direction, Action & Music
5. Controversies and Certification
6. Early Audience Reactions
7. Final Verdict
8. External Links

1. Introduction

Aditya Dhar’s much-awaited spy-action film Dhurandhar finally hit theatres on December 5, 2025, ending months of conversations, controversies and high fan expectations. The movie marks Ranveer Singh’s return to the big screen after two years, and the buzz around the trailer had already placed Dhurandhar among the most anticipated releases of the year.

The film combines real events, geopolitical tension, covert intelligence missions and intense gangland drama — all wrapped in a gritty narrative that audiences have been eager to witness.

2. Story Overview

Dhurandhar is set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack, building its plot around the growing threat of terror networks across borders.

At the heart of the story is Ajay Sanyal, the Intelligence Bureau chief played by R. Madhavan, who designs a covert mission to dismantle a dangerous network operating from Pakistan. To execute this risky plan, he recruits a 20-year-old prisoner from Punjab, jailed for a revenge killing. Sanyal sees raw potential in him and begins shaping the young man into an undercover operative.

This recruit, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, infiltrates Karachi’s notorious Lyari area — navigating gang rivalries, crime families, and hidden alliances to penetrate deep into the terror web.

The film ties together several powerful characters:

• Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait, inspired by Lyari’s feared gang leader.
• Sanjay Dutt as Chaudhary Aslam Khan, Karachi’s encounter specialist.
• Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, echoing elements of Al-Qaeda figure Ilyas Kashmiri.

Together, these threads build an intense world of espionage, crime and high-stakes diplomacy.

3. Performances

Ranveer Singh

Ranveer delivers one of his most gripping performances — raw, emotional and physically demanding. Early viewers have praised him as “phenomenal” and “on another level,” especially for his portrayal of a young man torn between violence and duty.

R. Madhavan

As Ajay Sanyal, Madhavan adds depth and authority. His calm yet commanding presence holds the narrative together.

Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt & Arjun Rampal

Each brings strong screen presence:

• Khanna excels as the unpredictable gang lord
• Dutt brings realism to Aslam Khan’s battle-hardened persona
• Rampal’s cold, calculated Major Iqbal adds intensity to the cross-border conflict

4. Direction, Action & Music

Aditya Dhar, after his success with Uri: The Surgical Strike, returns with a film that is both ambitious and visually powerful.

Direction & Screenplay

The narrative is tightly controlled despite its scale, balancing:

• Gangland drama
• Intelligence operations
• Political undercurrents

Action

The action scenes are a major highlight — grounded, stylish and supported by an impactful background score that enhances every high-voltage moment.

Music

Shashwat Sachdev’s soundtrack stands out.
The recreated tracks — “Na Dil De Pardesi Nu” and “Ishq Jalakar” — have already gained traction online.

5. Controversies and Certification

Before release, Dhurandhar faced speculation claiming the story mirrored the life of Major Mohit Sharma. Director Aditya Dhar denied the claims, and after re-examining the film, the CBFC confirmed that Dhurandhar is entirely fictional.

The film received an A certificate and runs for 3 hours 34 minutes, making it one of the longest Bollywood films in nearly two decades.

ALSO READ : Dhurandhar Controversy Explained | Who Was Major Mohit Sharma?

6. Early Audience Reactions

Within hours of release, social media was flooded with positive fan reviews. Many highlighted:

• Ranveer’s stellar performance
• The powerful background score
• High-octane action scenes
• Engaging storyline

Posts on X describe the film as “paisa vasool,” “power-packed” and “a must-watch mass entertainer.

#DhurandharReview – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's a Paisa Wasool Movie, Ranveer Singh Doing Phenomenal Job Till Now…🔥🔥
The BGM,The Action and The Storyline Is Literally Mind-blowing, Direction & Music Is Top Notch, A Must Watch Movie.

Tsunami Loading 🔥🔥🔥 #Dhurandhar #RanveerSingh… pic.twitter.com/oyLY31G4kG

— Akshay GurjAr (@Akshaygurjar123) December 5, 2025

7. Final Verdict

Dhurandhar is a gripping mix of patriotism, espionage, crime networks and emotional drama. With strong performances, a detailed world-building approach, and a bold directorial vision, the film delivers a cinematic experience that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.

For fans of spy thrillers, action dramas or intense character-driven stories, Dhurandhar is absolutely worth a theatrical watch.

8. External Links

• Official CBFC Information: https://cbfcindia.gov.in
• Director Aditya Dhar’s Updates: https://x.com
• IC-814 Hijacking Background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Airlines_Flight_814