A high-stakes story of lies, violence, and sacrifice that aims to evoke a sense of urgency and reflection in viewers.
‘Dhurandhar’ is a high-octane, adrenaline-inducing, physically disturbing story of terrorism in India. The movie boasts a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal,
This film is highly controversial, as it delves into topics such as religion, ethics, and terrorism, and how these issues affect the population and the individuals who defend them.
Ranveer Singh is poised for a major comeback thanks to this film. His portrayal of the main protagonist Hamza Ali Mazari is truly phenomenal. He masterfully maintains a vast mystery around his character while simultaneously displaying his violent nature and apparent lack of restraint. This showcases his remarkable versatility and acting skills. His flowing long hair and groomed beard enhance his ferocious character. Ranveer’s physical transformation is awe-inspiring; he’s still able to perform the stunts and action sequences that begin the film – tremendous respect and applause to Ranveer Singh.
Akshaye Khanna’s performance as the main antagonist, Rehman Dakait, is flawless. There is not an ounce of goodness within this character at all, and that is something I very much had to appreciate. His good looks and charm create a strong and public facade that you refuse to believe he is a vile human being who enjoys the suffering of another country. I will always have respect for Akshaye as an actor because he chooses his projects with care and consideration. He has played numerous villains in his career. Still, this character in particular really sets those past performances aside, as the film’s age rating significantly enhances his performance as this bloodthirsty tyrant.
R. Madhavan, as the film’s patriotic mastermind, Ajay Sanyal, is a force to be reckoned with. While his character is not physical, his intelligence and no-questions-asked attitude hold the story together. His love for India is evident in some very upsetting scenes. While it does indeed affect him, as it would anyone else, he doesn’t give in to the pain, as that is what the enemy wants him to feel. R. Madhavan is an underrated actor in Indian cinema, and I’ve always considered him to be a powerhouse of talent, as he takes risks with the characters he plays and adds his style to them.
Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam is, unironically, the humorous character of the story, despite being a law-bending, care-free and violently relentless policeman. His presence is felt throughout the film, as there is a history between him and Rehman, and watching how that conflict unfolds is enjoyable. Sanjay Dutt is often cast as the big, evil villain in Bollywood and other Indian films. Still, in this case, he plays another protagonist, albeit with unconventional methods, making it interesting to see how he navigates this role.
Arjun Rampal as the secondary antagonist, Major Iqbal, is someone you do not want to know ever in your life, as well as betray. He is the most violent character out of the main cast, as there are scenes with him performing some of the most violent and graphic torture processes, and the scariest part is that he’s so casual about it. He also shares his violence with acolytes and followers, who commit terrorist acts in his name and in the name of their country. So, that’s what makes his character the scariest, his violence is inspiring to the youths and elders of his home country.
The level of violence and gore is at its peak, which is surprising, considering Bollywood is generally sensitive and cautious when it comes to depicting such content, as well as ongoing conflict and politics. At the same time, the violence does make the story believable, and it highlights how it’s always lurking around the world, waiting to reveal itself.
This film is a must-watch, with its numerous topics, incredible performances, and the surprising announcement of a part two. I am very excited to see how it all concludes on March 19th, 2026.
