Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh’s controlled intensity powers this gripping Karachi-set thriller

Dhurandhar Movie storyline: Dhurandhar follows Hamza (Ranveer Singh), a covert Indian agent who infiltrates Karachi’s brutal Lyari mafia to stop rising terror networks, guided by IB chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan). As ganglords and operatives collide, allies and enemies emerge, including key players portrayed by (Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, Sara Arjun).

Dhurandhar Movie Review: Dhurandhar unfolds against key terror incidents — the IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai siege — framing a high-stakes covert mission led by Intelligence Bureau chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan), known by his codename Dhurandhar.

Aditya Dhar crafts a fictional yet inspired narrative that follows Hamza (Ranveer Singh), a shadowy Indian operative who penetrates Karachi’s notorious Lyari mafia to cripple terror pipelines from within. Told in chapter-style segments, the film’s world-building is dense and atmospheric, drawing you into a brutal, lived-in universe across its nearly 3.5-hour runtime. Despite the length, the pacing remains sharp, thanks to Dhar’s stylish direction and focused screenplay.

The soundtrack is one of the film’s strongest weapons — blending retro Bappi Lahiri hits from the ’70s and ’80s with modern cinematic scoring, it keeps the narrative charged and pulsating.

Although marketed as a RAW-versus-ISI spy thriller, Dhurandhar is essentially a Godfather-style crime saga rooted in Karachi’s underworld, clearly constructed as the beginning of a larger trilogy. Some production details feel slightly modern for its period setting, and the film occasionally slips into familiar Bollywood clichés, such as stereotyped villain dialogues.

Ranveer Singh, however, is electric. In a subdued yet simmering portrayal, he commands every frame — long hair, rugged beard, and a cold, penetrating intensity that is entirely distinct from comparisons to Animal. Strong supporting performances from Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Danish Pandor add weight to the narrative, while Sara Arjun leaves a pleasant mark.

Echoing Uri’s spirit of a fierce, unrelenting India, Dhurandhar remains gripping despite its violence and sprawling runtime — a bold, uncompromising thriller that refuses to loosen its hold.