🎬 What is Dhurandhar — Setup & Basics
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Director / Production: The film is written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. It’s produced under the banners Jio Studios and B62 Studios. Wikipedia+1
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Plot & Setting: The story is a fictional narrative inspired by real events — it delves into espionage, underworld networks and covert operations allegedly linked with terror operations in Karachi (the film references the underworld/mafia network in the Lyari area). The lead character (played by Ranveer Singh) is depicted as an Indian agent embedding himself within that network to dismantle it from within. The Times of India+2www.ndtv.com+2
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Cast & Production values: Apart from Ranveer Singh, the film features heavyweights like Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal — a strong ensemble that contributes to the film’s weight. Wikipedia+2Bollywood Hungama+2
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Length & Format: The runtime is about 214 minutes — roughly 3 hours 34 minutes — making it one of the longest mainstream Hindi films in years. Wikipedia+1
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Structure: The film is reportedly the first of a two-part saga, setting up a larger arc that continues into a second instalment. Wikipedia+1
✅ Where Dhurandhar Shines — Strengths & What Works
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Strong Performances, Especially Ranveer Singh & Akshaye Khanna
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Many reviews highlight Ranveer Singh’s “scorching screen presence” and call this one of his career’s more powerful performances. The Times of India+2www.ndtv.com+2
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Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal — especially of darker/shadowy characters — is frequently praised for being controlled, scene-stealing, and adding depth. Bollywood Hungama+2IMDb+2
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The ensemble cast overall adds heft and credibility; supporting actors like R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal elevate the film’s world, making it feel grand and serious. https://www.oneindia.com/+2IMDb+2
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World-building & Production Design — Gritty, Atmospheric & Polished
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The film builds a gritty underworld / espionage-drama world, with gritty visuals, decent production design, and a sense of scope that many early reviews call immersive. The Times of India+2BizzBuzz+2
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Cinematography and background score/music receive positive nods — helping maintain mood, tension, and dramatic effect across a long runtime. The Times of India+2www.ndtv.com+2
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Action, Drama & High Stakes — For Those Who Enjoy Intensity
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For viewers who like spy thrillers, gangster dramas, and high-stakes narratives (power struggles, revenge, espionage), Dhurandhar delivers — intense sequences, moral ambiguity, and raw violence (though stylized) create a dark, emotionally charged environment. BizzBuzz+2The Financial Express+2
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Some viewers found even the long runtime acceptable because “the ride never becomes dull” — the constant intensity, shifting loyalties, and dramatic moments keep engagement high. https://www.oneindia.com/+2123telugu.com+2
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Ambitious Scope & Cinematic Experience
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The film aims big — not just as a “masala entertainer,” but as a serious spy-thriller with consequences, moral weight, real-life inspired themes. Several reviewers call it a “big-screen experience” rather than light entertainment. Bollywood Hungama+2@mathrubhumi+2
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For some viewers, this ambition pays off — Dhurandhar becomes more than a popcorn flick: it becomes a statement and a dark, immersive journey. https://www.oneindia.com/+2IMDb+2
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⚠️ Where Dhurandhar Struggles — Weaknesses & Criticisms
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Length & Pacing — Too Long for Many
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The nearly 3.5-hour runtime is a deal-breaker for some. A number of viewers and critics felt the first half dragged, setup felt slow, and narrative momentum was lost at times. www.ndtv.com+2Republic World+2
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Some sequences — especially in the latter part/climax — are described as “prolonged,” “patience-testing,” or even “overloaded,” which dilutes the impact. Gulte+2@mathrubhumi+2
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Uneven Screenplay & Storytelling Issues
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Despite strong world-building, the screenplay doesn’t always hold up: some chapters feel disjointed, abrupt shifts in tone or focus occur (especially when changing ‘chapters’ / phases of the mission), which can break immersion. @mathrubhumi+2Gulte+2
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For a film billed as an espionage-thriller, certain emotional arcs or character motivations aren’t explored deeply; after the initial build-up, some dramatic reveals feel less powerful than intended. www.ndtv.com+2Bollywood Hungama+2
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Narrow Appeal — Not for Everyone
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Because of its tone, length, and serious subject-matter (violence, underworld, terrorism backdrop), Dhurandhar is probably not for those expecting light entertainment, comedy, or a breezy watch. Bollywood Hungama+2123telugu.com+2
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The decision to treat the story as a two-part saga may leave some viewers feeling that this first part doesn’t fully satisfy — some plot threads might feel incomplete, pacing uneven, with the hope that the second part delivers more closure. Wikipedia+2Bollywood Hungama+2
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🎯 For Whom Dhurandhar Works — Who Should (and Shouldn't) Watch
You’ll likely enjoy Dhurandhar if you:
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Like gritty, intense spy-thrillers or gangster/underworld dramas.
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Appreciate strong performances and ensemble casts with star power.
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Don’t mind long runtimes and can invest time in a film with slow build-up and detailed world-building.
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Prefer darker cinema — with moral ambiguity, violence, and high stakes — rather than light-hearted entertainment.
You may reconsider if you:
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Prefer short, fast-paced films or dislike long movies.
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Don’t enjoy heavy themes — underworld violence, crime, terrorism backdrop.
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Are looking for a simple, feel-good film or lighter subject matter.
🧮 Verdict — Overall Impression
Dhurandhar is an ambitious, bold attempt at a large-scale spy-action drama in modern Hindi cinema. It doesn’t always succeed — due to its length, occasional pacing issues, and uneven screenplay. But when it works, it delivers — with powerful acting, immersive world-building, and high-voltage drama.
If you go expecting a polished, high-stakes cinematic ride and are patient with slow build-up, you’ll likely find it a worthwhile watch. It may not become a universally loved classic, but for fans of serious action-thrillers, it stands out as one of the more daring and grand efforts of 2025.