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Dhurandhar Review

Written on .

Consensus Review15 independent sources

Dhurandhar

An ambitious, high-octane espionage thriller directed by Aditya Dhar, starring Ranveer Singh as a spy in a complex geopolitical landscape.

6.8/10
GENERALLY RECOMMENDED
✅ 60% Positive (9 sources)⚠️ 25% Mixed (4 sources)❌ 15% Negative (2 sources)

How This Score Is Calculated

  • Sources analysed: 15 reviews
  • Sentiment-only: 15 sources (weighted 1.0×)
  • Split: 9 Positive · 4 Mixed · 2 Negative
  • Raw weighted average: 6.8
  • Formula: Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
  • Review period: 2026 release window

Algorithmically calculated from source data. No manual adjustments.

  • Most reviewed featureRuntime (8/15)
  • Most praisedRanveer Singh performance
  • Most criticisedExcessive runtime
  • Reviewer consensus levelModerate
Action-packedSpy ThrillerRanveer Singh FansAction Enthusiasts

Dhurandhar is a high-ambition spy thriller that delivers massive commercial spectacle, anchored by a career-best performance from Ranveer Singh. While praised for its technical production and gripping action sequences, it is frequently criticized for its punishingly long runtime and heavy-handed political themes. It is best suited for fans of large-scale, intense espionage dramas who can overlook narrative bloat.

🔧 Key Specifications

Specifications sourced from reviewer mentions.

  • Director: Aditya Dhar
  • Lead Actor: Ranveer Singh
  • Key Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna
  • Genre: Espionage / Action
  • Runtime: 214 minutes (approx. 3.5 - 4 hours)

📊 What Reviewers Say — Feature by Feature

5 features evaluated across 15 sources.

✅
Ranveer Singh's PerformanceUniversally praised as a career-best effort, anchoring the film with intensity and emotional depth.
8 / 15
❌
RuntimeConsistently cited as excessive, with reviewers noting a duration approaching 4 hours that drags the narrative.
8 / 15
✅
Action SequencesHighly regarded for high-energy, well-choreographed spectacle that defines the film's visual appeal.
6 / 15
⚠️
Political/Nationalist ThemesPolarizing elements; some appreciate the patriotic fervor, while others condemn the overt jingoism and stereotypes.
5 / 15
⚠️
ScreenplayMixed reception, with some praising the complex world-building while others find it dull, repetitive, or poorly focused.
4 / 15

👍 Key Strengths

  • Career-best performance by Ranveer Singh
  • High-energy, well-choreographed action sequences
  • Strong technical production and visual scale
  • Gripping and immersive opening sequences

👎 Key Weaknesses

  • Excessively long runtime near four hours
  • Heavy-handed nationalism and jingoism
  • Dull, unfocused, and overstuffed screenplay
  • Stereotypical portrayal of supporting characters

⚡ Where Reviewers Disagreed

The following areas saw meaningful disagreement across sources.

  • Political Tone: 3 sources praised the patriotic spirit, while 2 sources heavily criticized the overt jingoism and hyper-masculinity. The disagreement stems from differing views on whether the film's nationalism is inspiring or alienating/excessive.

🎯 Who This Product Is For

Reviewer recommendations for different target audiences and use cases.

✅
Action EnthusiastsThe film's high-energy choreography and visual scale make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
5 / 15
✅
Ranveer Singh FansReviewers widely agree that Singh delivers a standout, career-defining performance worth seeing.
4 / 15
❌
Viewers Seeking NuanceThose preferring subtle, restrained, or intellectually complex espionage stories may find the film's approach too blunt.
3 / 15

🛠️ Best Use Cases

  • Big Screen EntertainmentThe film is designed specifically for theatrical impact with large-scale visuals and sound.Great
  • Casual Action ViewingIdeal for audiences looking for constant thrills, provided they have the patience for the long duration.Good

🔀 Alternatives Mentioned by Reviewers

Maximise this list. Include EVERY single competitor, rival, or alternative product mentioned in any of the source reviews.

  • Dhurandhar (Original) — Reviewers frequently compare the sequel to the first film, noting that the original had more grit, restraint, and unique atmosphere, whereas the sequel leans into spectacle.
  • The Voice Of Hind Rajab — Used as a benchmark for authentic, docu-drama style storytelling; reviewers suggest this film handles sensitive material with more respect than Dhurandhar.
  • OnePlus Buds 3 — Mentioned in the context of hardware comparisons (Source 3); recommended as a more premium, refined alternative to the Nord Buds 4 Pro for users seeking better soundstage.
  • OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro — Cited as the predecessor to the Nord Buds 4 Pro; the 4 Pro is noted to have superior features, though the 3 Pro remains a baseline for comparison.

Alternatives sourced exclusively from reviewer mentions.

🛒 Buyer's Guide

✅ Buy This If…

  • You are a dedicated fan of Ranveer Singh's intense acting style.
  • You appreciate large-scale, theatrical action spectacles.
  • You enjoy high-octane spy thrillers regardless of political nuance.

❌ Skip This If…

  • You prefer short, concise, and tightly paced films.
  • You are sensitive to jingoistic themes and political bias.
  • You seek realistic, nuanced, or restrained espionage storytelling.
👍GENERALLY RECOMMENDED

Dhurandhar is an ambitious, visually arresting action spectacle that succeeds largely due to Ranveer Singh's powerhouse performance. While it suffers from an unwieldy, nearly four-hour runtime and polarizing political undertones, its technical craft is undeniable. For fans of high-energy espionage thrillers, it is a must-watch, though those seeking narrative subtlety should approach with caution.

Reviewer Perspectives & Source Breakdown

Toxic review and release live updates: Yash-starrer outpaces Dhurandhar ...

hindustantimes.com

Toxic is a violent gangster drama that despite strong initial box office numbers, has received overwhelmingly negative reviews for its poorly executed second half and excessive reliance on violence.

Comparison: The film was initially set to clash with Dhurandhar 2 before multiple release date delays.

Pros

  • Promising and thrilling first half
  • Engaging action sequences
  • Strong massy dialogues initially

Cons

  • Haywire and disappointing second half
  • Excessive reliance on graphic violence
  • Loud and unbearable background music
  • Forced and jarring dialogue in later portions

‘Dhurandhar 2’ review – A grand, hyper-nationalist fantasy - filmysasi.c...

filmysasi.com

Dhurandhar 2 is a sporadically thrilling action fable that serves as a massive, hyper-nationalist spectacle. While it suffers from a sluggish first half and uneven pacing, its high-octane set pieces and strong lead performance keep it engaging.

Comparison: It follows the format of the prequel but with less finesse and weaker intertitles. It lacks the balance of twists, music, and punchlines that made the first film consistently entertaining.

Pros

  • Ranveer Singh delivers a physically demanding performance
  • Arjun Rampal is menacing and effective
  • Intense and satisfying violent action sequences
  • Rare moments of unfiltered honesty regarding geopolitics

Cons

  • Glaringly dull editing in the first half
  • Excessively long near four-hour runtime
  • Less finesse compared to the prequel
  • Overtly propagandistic elements feel unpersuasive

Dhurandhar Movie Review — Sucharita Tyagi | by Sucharita Tyagi | Medium ...

sucharitatyagi.medium.com

Dhurandhar is an arduous, 3.5-hour long espionage thriller that suffers from heavy-handed nationalism and a dull, unfocused screenplay. While Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna deliver strong performances, the film lacks a compelling endgame and relies on repetitive stereotypes.

Comparison: The film utilizes real audio recordings and footage similarly to the docu-drama The Voice Of Hind Rajab, but fails to maintain the same level of respectful, authentic storytelling.

Pros

  • Career-best performance by Ranveer Singh
  • Strong, compelling performance by Akshaye Khanna
  • Impressive, high-energy climax action sequence

Cons

  • Excessively long runtime of 214 minutes
  • Screenplay feels dull and lacks clear direction
  • Heavy-handed, self-important display of hyper-masculinity
  • Stereotypical portrayal of Pakistani characters
  • Poor representation and subservience of female characters

Dhurandhar 2 Review - Newspatrolling.com - newspatrolling.com...

newspatrolling.com

Dhurandhar 2 is a massive commercial success that effectively blends action, espionage, and political intrigue. Despite a very long runtime, the film remains engaging throughout with constant plot twists and strong performances.

Comparison: It builds on the popularity of the first installment and is described as a benchmark for spy movies.

Pros

  • Gripping and engaging narrative
  • High energy action sequences
  • Excellent technical production and music
  • Strong emotional connection with the audience

Cons

  • Relatively long runtime of 3 hours 49 minutes

Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) Review - Blood, Bullets, and Badla - Abst...

abstractaf.in

A polished and emotionally grounded sequel that succeeds by focusing on character consequences rather than just spectacle. While it occasionally suffers from rushed pacing and lacks the unique grit of its predecessor, it remains a strong, well-acted entry in the action genre.

Comparison: It avoids the pitfalls of typical sequels by maintaining story depth, though it feels less unique and raw compared to the first film.

Pros

  • Coherent and meaningful story progression
  • Smart character behavior avoiding plot tropes
  • High-quality visuals and choreography
  • Effective exploration of emotional exhaustion

Cons

  • Rushed pacing in the second half
  • Lack of memorable side characters from the first film
  • Missing gritty atmosphere of the original
  • Occasional reliance on standard commercial action tropes

Dhurandhar 2 Review: A relentless action extravaganza teetering on exces...

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

A gripping but overstuffed and overstretched action sequel that leans into jingoism. While it offers well-choreographed spectacles, it lacks the nuance and restraint of its predecessor.

Comparison: Unlike the first film which focused on restraint and world-building, the sequel is one-dimensional and lacks the tension provided by previous parallel leads.

Pros

  • Riveting and fast-paced first half
  • Remarkable performance by Ranveer Singh
  • Strong supporting performances from Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal
  • Well-choreographed action sequences

Cons

  • Overstuffed and repetitive narrative
  • Excessive runtime of nearly four hours
  • Leans towards jingoism and overt political bias
  • Lack of a formidable nemesis

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro Review: The 'Dhurandhar' of the Budget TWS Segme...

aninews.in

Price: INR 3,999

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro are a highly recommended budget TWS option, offering flagship-level features like high-res audio and impressive battery life. They are ideal for gamers and mainstream users, though they fall slightly short in call clarity and mid-range audio performance.

Comparison: They outperform the Nord Buds 3 Pro in features but are considered less refined than the premium OnePlus Buds 3, which offer better soundstage and call quality.

Pros

  • Punchy and rich sound quality
  • Effective active noise cancellation
  • Excellent battery life exceeding 50 hours
  • Low-latency mode ideal for gaming
  • IP55 water and dust resistance

Cons

  • Vocals sound recessed in complex tracks
  • Call quality can sound robotic
  • Design lacks a premium aesthetic
  • ANC struggles in extremely loud environments

Hrithik Roshan skips Arjun Rampal from his Dhurandhar review, X users sp...

X users were quick to notice that Hrithik Roshan did not mentioned his old pal Arjun Rampal, in his X post, while praising Dhurandhar cast.

Full Review

'Dhurandhar' review backlash: Film Critics Guild condemns attacks on cri...

The Film Critics Guild (FCG) has publicly criticized the online harassment and threats aimed at reviewers of Aditya Dhar's film, Dhurandhar.

Full Review

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GENERALLY RECOMMENDED, Ranveer Singh performance, Runtime, Dhurandhar (Original), Good Value