Dhurandhar Movie Review: A Powerful Spy Thriller with Akshaye Khanna’s Standout Performance

From the very first frame, Dhurandhar grabs you by the collar and drags you into its dark, violent world — a world of shadowy espionage, ruthless mafia wars and covert missions that blur the lines between patriotism and vengeance. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, doesn’t shy away from ambition, expansive scope, layered plotting, heavy atmosphere, intense action. And for the most part, it delivers a bold, muscular cinematic experience that demands your full attention.

What is Dhurandhar — Overview & Cast

Dhurandhar is a 2025 Hindi-language spy action thriller, directed, written and co-produced by Aditya Dhar.
The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, with a powerful ensemble that includes Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, along with supporting performances from others.
The story is set against a backdrop inspired by real-life terror events and covert operations, focusing on an undercover mission where an Indian intelligence agent infiltrates Karachi’s mafia network.

Dhurandhar Movie : Acting & Performances

The film’s acting is among its biggest strengths. Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of the undercover agent (Hamza) is restrained, intense and layered — a departure from his usual high-energy roles. He treads a delicate line between calm undercover logic and fierce emotional turbulence with conviction.

But credit where it’s due — Akshaye Khanna emerges as the real standout. As the calculating, lethal antagonist, Khanna owns every scene he is in. His swagger, controlled menace and magnetic screen presence rival the protagonist and in many moments, overshadow him. Critics have noted that Khanna matches Ranveer beat for beat, uses every minute with unforced swagger.

Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and the rest of the ensemble bring solidity and texture to the story, making the world feel lived-in and dangerous.

For me personally, Akshaye Khanna’s performance is what I’ll remember most — his character lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

What Critics & Platforms Say (Ratings & Reviews Round-up)

Here’s how top critics and platforms are receiving Dhurandhar:

Platform / Reviewer	Rating / Key Takeaway
The Times of India	3.5 / 5 — praises the immersive world-building, atmospheric direction, and engaging narrative over the film’s long runtime.
Hindustan Times	3/5 – Strong praise for performances (esp. Ranveer Singh & Akshaye Khanna) — calls film “lengthy yet loaded spy drama” that works because of its cast and conviction.
Moneycontrol	Acknowledges the film’s demanding pace and runtime, but says if you sit through it, the portrayal of underworld and spy mechanics is gripping.

Dhurandhar Movie : What Works — And What Doesn’t

What works:

Dense, gritty world-building: The corridors of Karachi mafia, underworld politics, intelligence operations — all are depicted with detail and scale. The cinematography, lighting, the tone, the soundtrack — everything contributes to making the film atmospheric.
Strong performances: As mentioned, Ranveer Singh’s subtle restraint and Akshaye Khanna’s commanding villainy anchor the film emotionally and dramatically. Supporting cast adds value and realism.
Action and intensity: From hand-to-hand combat to tense betrayals, the violence is raw and impactful, the choreography and direction make it believable and hard-hitting.
Courage to be bold: At nearly 3.5-hour runtime and a complex narrative structure, Dhurandhar doesn’t pander to formula — it attempts to be cinematic, layered and expansive.

Where it falters:

Length & pacing: The long runtime sometimes works against the film. The second half especially tends to feel dragged, certain subplots meander and the buildup occasionally sluggish.
Narrative overload: With many threads — mafia, spy operations, political undertones, personal vendettas — the film at times feels cluttered. Emotional payoffs are sometimes postponed for future installments.
Some generic tropes: Amid the real-incident inspired backdrop, occasional stereotypical dialogues and cliched villainous moments remind you that this is still mainstream Bollywood at heart.

Dhurandhar Movie : My Personal Verdict

I came out of Dhurandhar impressed. It’s rare that a mainstream Bollywood film aims this big — in scope, realism and ambition. Despite its flaws, it left me invested, tense, emotionally stirred. For me, the biggest victory is in the performances — and especially in how Akshaye Khanna managed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the lead and still outshine many.

If you’re someone who enjoys grand, raw, intense spy thrillers and don’t mind investing 3.5 hours, this is one ride worth taking. It isn’t perfect — but its heart, ambition and performances make it a compelling watch.

Dhurandhar Movie : Final Thoughts & Rating

As a cinematic experience: 8 / 10 — bold, atmospheric, intense.
As a spy-thriller narrative: 7.5 / 10 — well-structured, though occasionally weighed down by its own ambition.
As a performance showcase: 7.5 / 10 — especially for Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna.

Overall: If Dhurandhar were a walking razor — it cuts deep and leaves its mark. Not flawless. But hard-hitting, ambitious and memorable.

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Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
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