Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar lands as a massive, unflinching political action drama that grips from the first frame and rarely loosens its hold. Set against the tense backdrop of the 1999 Kandahar hijacking crisis, the film plunges into a world where espionage, terrorism and gangland politics collide with explosive consequences. The story follows IB officer Ajay Sanyal’s covert mission Project Dhurandhar , triggered moments after India agrees to release three dangerous terrorists. Into this volatile landscape steps Hamza Ali Mazari, whose real identity is Jaskeerat Singh Rangeeli, played with blazing intensity by Ranveer Singh. Sent deep into Karachi’s Lyari gang circuit, he becomes the nerve centre of a mission designed to dismantle an India-hostile nexus from the inside.
Ranveer Singh’s performance is the film’s beating heart wild, unpredictable, violently charged yet surprisingly tender. His presence energises nearly every scene, supported brilliantly by Akshaye Khanna’s charismatic gangster, Sanjay Dutt’s menacing supercop-inspired figure, and Arjun Rampal’s impactful Major Iqbal. The supporting cast adds texture, with Sara Arjun offering emotional freshness and Rakesh Bedi and Gaurav Gera delivering unexpected turns. The film’s rawness is amplified by its violent stretches, including a brutal torture sequence that lingers long after it ends, capturing the psychological cost of undercover warfare.
Technically, Dhurandhar thrives Shashwat Sachdev’s pounding background score elevates the tension, while clever use of classic Pakistani pop and ghazals roots the film in its cultural setting. The cinematography recreates Karachi with startling authenticity, and the action sequences are mounted on a grand, gritty scale. Despite its strengths, the second half wavers slightly, drifting from its sharp narrative spine and revealing a bit too much of its upcoming sequel, set to arrive in March 2026.
Yet, Dhurandhar remains a gripping, muscular cinematic experience sprawling, violent and thoroughly immersive. It leaves audiences with burning questions about where the story will go next and whether Ranveer can sustain this ferocity in Part Two. For now, Dhar delivers a theatre-worthy entertainer that blends politics, power and adrenaline with remarkable ambition.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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