Dhurandhar — What’s the Buzz About This Spy‑Thriller?

What is Dhurandhar?

🎬 The Basics

Dhurandhar is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language spy action thriller, written and directed by Aditya Dhar. The film stars a heavy-hitter ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. It was released in theaters on 5 December 2025 and clocks in at a mammoth 214 minutes — that’s about 3 hours and 34 minutes, making it one of the longest Indian films in recent memory.

📖 What’s the Story (Broadly)

Without spoiling too much: Dhurandhar is a gritty spy thriller set against geopolitical tensions and covert operations. The plot takes inspiration from real-life intelligence operations and underworld activity, blending fact with high-octane fiction. Expect intense action, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes drama — essentially “Spy vs Terror + Bollywood scale.”

---

Why Everyone’s Watching: Strengths and Weaknesses

🌟 What Works

• Ensemble Cast: Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna steal the show, while the rest of the cast holds the fort with solid performances.
• Atmosphere & Cinematography: The film nails the spy-thriller vibe with tense cinematography, a gripping background score, and immersive world-building.
• Scale & Ambition: Fans of large-scale action thrillers love the “epic” feeling the film delivers. It’s like Bollywood finally decided to go full spy-mode, and the results are visually stunning.

⚠️ What Doesn’t Land for Everyone

• Length & Pacing: 3.5 hours is a commitment. Some viewers feel Part 1 is mostly setup for a sequel.
• Emotional Connection: While the action dazzles, some critics point out that the emotional arcs are undercooked or repetitive.
• Violence: The film is unflinchingly violent. For those not into blood-and-guts spy thrillers, it might feel overwhelming.

So essentially, Dhurandhar is a love-it-or-hate-it affair. If you’re a fan of sprawling spy dramas, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you prefer tight storytelling or subtle emotional beats, it may test your patience.

---

🎥 Want to Watch or Peek First?

The official trailer gives a glimpse of the action-packed madness. It’s raw, intense, and unapologetically dramatic. Perfect if you like adrenaline, spy plots, and Bollywood spectacle.

---

🔎 Controversies and Public Debate

Based on True Events?

The film draws inspiration from real-world operations but is not a direct biography of any single person. It’s a fictionalized amalgamation inspired by true events.

Violence and Censorship

Due to its hyper-violent content, the film received an adults-only rating from the Indian censor board. Some viewers found the gore and dark themes excessive, sparking debates on whether the film went “too far” in depicting violence.

Setup for Part 2

Given the long runtime and narrative focus on world-building, some critics argue that the first installment serves mainly as a foundation for the sequel, leaving certain plot points and character arcs unresolved.

---

🔮 The Sequel: Dhurandhar Part 2

The makers have confirmed a sequel set to release on 19 March 2026. Part 2 will be responsible for delivering the payoff, resolving cliffhangers, and deepening character arcs. If the pacing improves and the emotional stakes land better, it could become a major Bollywood spy blockbuster.

---

🧑‍🎯 Who Should Watch Dhurandhar

You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Love spy thrillers, gritty action, and political drama
• Don’t mind a long runtime
• Appreciate ensemble casts and high-budget cinematics

You might want to skip (or wait) if you:

• Prefer tighter, emotionally subtle stories
• Are sensitive to graphic violence
• Dislike stories that feel like part 1 of a multi-part saga

---

Sources / References

• Wikipedia: Dhurandhar
• India Today: Dhurandhar film release
• Reddit discussions on Dhurandhar reviews and audience reactions
• Masterindesign.com: Insights on Dhurandhar inspiration and controversies
• NDTV: Dhurandhar Part 2 release date
• Economic Times: Actor and audience interactions
• Maharashtra Times: Review controversies
• Times of India: Piracy and news updates