Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh & Akshaye Khanna Shine in a Dark, Relentless Thriller

After that trailer dropped, it was already clear what kind of storm this movie was gearing up to unleash. The tone, the violence, the scale, everything screamed that Dhurandhar was about power, legacy, and that ugly line between loyalty and betrayal. The trailer revealed exactly what this movie was going to be: raw, relentless, and unapologetically grand in its ambition. And when you’ve got Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Khanna, and R. Madhavan in one frame, you know the film isn’t playing safe. Their presence alone hints at layered conflicts and big character moments waiting to explode. The world they’ve built feels heavy with history, grudges, and unspoken rules, the kind that instantly pulls you in. By the time the trailer ends, you already sense this isn’t a story you’ll casually sit through; it’s one you’ll get pulled into whether you want to or not.

What hooked me even more was how the trailer teased scenes that never show up in the first part of the film. That instantly tells you the makers have a bigger plan, something much heavier saved for later. And honestly, that mystery works beautifully because the moment the movie starts, it doesn’t waste even a second building atmosphere and tension. The energy is consistent, the character introductions are sharp, and the world feels lived-in from the first frame. You can tell that every relationship has weight, every stare has a backstory, and every silence hides something. The film doesn’t just fulfil the promise the trailer made, it expands it, giving you more depth, more conflict, and more emotional pull than expected. By then, you’re not simply watching the story unfold; you’re trying to decode every detail the trailer hinted at but didn’t reveal.

The trailer promised intensity, and the film delivers exactly that, just louder, darker, and far more gripping. And that lingering curiosity? It keeps growing, making the wait for the next part feel even longer.

Inside the Storm: The Plot That Sets Up a Bigger War Ahead (Spoiler Alert)

Dhurandhar follows Hamza Ali Mazhari (Ranveer Singh), an undercover agent pushed into one of the most dangerous assignments of his life — Operation Dhurandhar. His mission places him right inside the heart of Karachi’s Lyari underworld, where survival depends on blending in, staying sharp, and trusting absolutely no one. His path crosses with Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), a calm yet brutal force whose quiet menace dominates every room he walks into. Back in India, Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan) guides the operation with calculated precision, while SP Chaudhary Aslam Khan (Sanjay Dutt) fuels the mission with experience and grit. Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal) brings in the opposing military edge, and Yalina Jamali (Sara Arjun) adds an emotional thread that quietly deepens Hamza’s journey. Every character acts like a puzzle piece, important, interconnected, and never fully revealed in part one. The film constantly reminds you that this mission is bigger than just one man. And by the time Hamza settles into this world, you realise the real danger is only starting to rise.

As Hamza sinks deeper into this volatile landscape, the narrative smartly avoids giving away all its cards. Loyalties shift, motives bend, and almost every conversation feels like it’s hiding a second meaning beneath the surface. The tension doesn’t come from flashy twists; it comes from the slow, deliberate build-up of danger that traps Hamza from all sides. Rehman Dakait’s eerie unpredictability keeps you guessing, while the political undercurrents add weight without turning preachy. The world keeps expanding one layer at a time, revealing just enough to keep you hooked but never enough to fully predict what’s coming. By the end of part one, you can sense the larger storm gathering for the sequel. And yes — if you can spot Gaurav Gera from The Kapil Sharma Show in his blink-and-miss appearance, let me know, because most people genuinely didn’t recognise him.

Who Shines, Who Surprises & Who Steals the Spotlight

Ranveer Singh brings Hamza Ali Mazhari to life with a sharp mix of control, tension, and quiet intensity. He carries the undercover mission on his shoulders, and you can feel that constant push-and-pull between instinct and duty in every scene. His performance is grounded, never exaggerated, and he plays the internal conflict well without spelling anything out. His interactions with the rest of the cast feel organic, especially when the stakes rise. The only drawback is that his emotional chemistry with Sara Arjun occasionally feels a bit out of rhythm, not distracting, just not fully aligned.

Akshaye Khanna absolutely devours the screen as Rehman Dakait. He doesn’t need noise or aggressive outbursts to command attention; his silence and measured expressions are more dangerous than any dialogue. There’s a psychological edge he brings that instantly elevates the narrative, making every scene he appears in 10x more gripping. He’s unpredictable, magnetic, and easily the strongest presence in the film. Whenever he’s on screen, the energy shifts.

R. Madhavan, playing Ajay Sanyal, brings calm authority and emotional grounding to the film. He operates from the mission's mind, strategic, composed, and always observing more than he reveals. His scenes help stabilize the story whenever it widens into political territory, giving the narrative a clear sense of direction. His dynamic with Hamza adds weight, reminding you that missions like these are built on people who don’t always get to be on the front lines.

Sanjay Dutt adds his signature intensity as SP Aslam Khan, and even with his limited screen time, he creates impact, but honestly, you can’t help but wish he had more scenes to fully shine as a performer. Arjun Rampal brings a steely maturity as Major Iqbal, embodying the opposing side with controlled aggression. Sara Arjun’s Yalina Jamali adds emotional texture to the story, though her pairing with Ranveer doesn’t always hit perfectly. And then there’s Gaurav Gera, almost unrecognizable in a blink-and-miss role. If you can spot him on your first watch, you’re quicker than most.

Direction, Screenplay, Pacing & the Pulse of the Score

The direction keeps the film tight, atmospheric, and grounded, focusing more on tension than theatrics. Every scene feels intentionally staged, and the world-building has a gritty, lived-in texture that suits the mission’s high-risk environment. There’s a sense of control in how the filmmaker reveals information slowly, deliberately, but never lazily. The tone stays consistent, even when the story jumps between action, strategy, and emotional undercurrents.

The screenplay strikes a good balance between mystery and clarity, revealing just enough to keep you invested while holding the bigger answers for Part 2. But this is also where a minor pacing issue shows up in a few scenes, especially around character introductions and mid-plot transitions, which feel stretched longer than they needed to be. It’s not a deal-breaker, but you do feel the drag in spots. Still, the core storyline remains tight, the tension stays intact, and the dialogue keeps things grounded without unnecessary drama.

The music and background score elevate the film without overpowering it, adding pulse in tense stretches and emotional weight in quieter moments. It’s not a soundtrack-heavy film, but the score quietly sharpens the intensity and builds momentum where the pacing dips. The real standout, though, is the BGM crafted for Akshaye Khanna’s character, a complete masterpiece. It’s eerie, calculated, and perfectly synced with his cold, unpredictable energy, making every one of his scenes feel sharper and more dangerous. His theme alone lifts the tension by a notch, tying the atmosphere together and anchoring some of the film’s most gripping moments.

Final Verdict: The Calm Before a Much Bigger Storm

Dhurandhar delivers exactly what it promises: a tense, layered espionage drama anchored by powerful performances and a world that pulls you in without overwhelming you. The film sets up its foundation with enough depth and mystery to keep you fully invested, even when the pacing dips for a moment. What really sticks with you is how deliberately it holds back the bigger truths, making you feel like you’ve only scratched the surface of the real story.

With Part 2 dropping next year, the curiosity is at an all-time high. The ending doesn’t just tease the continuation; it practically demands it. You walk out with more questions than answers, but in the best way possible. And if the next chapter delivers on the hints this film drops, the payoff is going to be massive.

By the way, if you’re into grounded film thoughts, underrated thriller picks, or just plain honest recommendations, I’m over on Instagram:@bingewatch_perspective.  That’s where I post quick recaps, hot takes, and those offbeat gems you might’ve missed.

P.S. If you want something light-hearted after this heavy, violent ride, Perfect Family is the perfect palate cleanser — click here to read that review.

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