BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Aditya Dhar returns with Dhurandhar, an intense, large-scale spy thriller that dives deep into the India–Pakistan conflict, blending political tension, espionage, personal stakes, and explosive confrontations. With Ranveer Singh leading a powerhouse ensemble, the film manages to stay compelling across its unusually long 3-hour-25-minute runtime, a feat few thrillers achieve.
A Multi-Layered Story Told in Chapters
Dhurandhar unfolds in eight sharply defined chapters, a storytelling choice that not only structures the narrative but also elevates its emotional and political beats. The film opens with the Kandahar Air India hijack, resolved by R. Madhavan’s Ajay Sanyal, a character with clear shades of India’s NSA Ajit Doval. This domino effect leads straight to the Parliament attack and the formation of Project Dhurandhar, where Ranveer Singh goes deep undercover inside Pakistan as Hamza.
The narrative also explores the simmering anger in Balochistan, led onscreen by Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman Dakait, a character both brutal and deeply human. Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, the cold, calculating head of ISI, whose presence looms large over the storyline. Sanjay Dutt, as Karachi cop SP Aslam, brings a grounded realism mixed with effortless swagger.
Music That Heightens the Narrative
Dhurandhar’s music stands out as one of the film’s most intelligently curated elements. Rather than relying solely on original songs, the film blends classic Indian tracks, Pakistani pop, and modern global sounds. The Balochistan sequence featuring Bahrain rapper Flipperachi’s “FA9LA” injects cultural authenticity into the frame, while Sanjay Dutt’s entry backed by the evergreen Pakistani hit “Hawa Hawa” brings a wave of nostalgia and energy. The title track “Na Dil De Pardesi Nu,” reimagined from a ‘90s Punjabi folk number, gains a contemporary edge through Hanumankind’s rap verse.
The soundtrack also weaves in Bollywood classics like “Na To Karva Ki Talash Hai,” “Monica O My Darling,” and “Dum Maaro Dum,” each placed with narrative purpose rather than for commercial appeal. The only two fully original tracks—Diljit Dosanjh’s electrifying “EZ EZ” and the item song “Shararat”.
Performances That Elevate the Film
Ranveer Singh delivers one of his most balanced performances as Jaskirat/Hamza, capturing both the emotional toll of deep-cover espionage and the simmering rage of a man bound by duty. Akshaye Khanna, as Rehman Dakait, dominates the screen with a presence that is both menacing and introspective. Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal is chillingly controlled, portraying the ISI chief with a coldness that adds psychological tension to every scene he appears in.
Sanjay Dutt’s SP Aslam brings organic humour, grit, and an emotional grounding that prevents the film from becoming overwhelmingly bleak. Rakesh Bedi surprises with a nuanced performance as Pakistani politician Jameel Jamali, outshining his modest trailer presence with a character full of cunning unpredictability. Gaurav Gera, too, appears in a far more dramatic role than expected. Saumya Tandon, in a dialogue-less yet striking portrayal of Rehman Dakait’s wife, proves how much can be conveyed through silence. Sara Arjun, marking her official Bollywood debut as a heroine, carries herself with maturity and impact. The story integrates the much-discussed 20-year age gap between her and Ranveer’s character with sensitivity, ensuring she isn’t reduced to ornamentation but instead serves a meaningful narrative purpose.
Strengths and Shortcomings
Dhurandhar thrives on its chapter-based format, its sharply defined character arcs, and its bold political undertones. The pacing remains unexpectedly tight for a film that runs over three hours, with each chapter adding depth rather than filler. The violence is undeniably graphic but always grounded in the stakes of geopolitics and insurgency, never slipping into gratuitous shock value. The film’s use of music, especially “EZ EZ,” “Hawa Hawa,” and “FA9LA”, adds layers to the emotional and cultural landscape.
Its weaknesses are relatively minor. “Shararat,” despite being contextual, still feels like a commercial detour that the film could have done without. A few abrupt edits lean heavily on the audience’s ability to infer missing beats, which may momentarily disrupt immersion for some viewers.
Verdict: A Must-Watch Political Thriller
Dhurandhar is not just a film, it’s an immersive geopolitical experience. Despite its length, it rarely falters, thanks to its calibrated storytelling, meticulous world-building, and gripping performances. Overseas, the film is reportedly performing exceptionally well, with U.S. screenings running house-full and premium seats becoming hard to find.
With Part 2 set to release on 19 March 2026, Dhurandhar ends on a high, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter in this ambitious spy saga.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A bold, high-stakes thriller that pulls no punches and keeps you thinking long after the credits roll.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
