Dhurandhar (2025) – Movie ReviewVerdict: A gritty, high-stakes spy saga that succeeds on the back of powerhouse performances and realistic action, though it demands patience due to its massive runtime.Genre: Spy Thriller / Action DramaDirector: Aditya DharCast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara ArjunRuntime: ~3 hours 32 minutesThe Plot: Shadows of KarachiSet in the late 2000s and inspired by real covert operations, the film follows Hamza (Ranveer Singh), an Indian intelligence asset deep under cover in Karachi, Pakistan. His mission is to infiltrate the crime syndicate of Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), a gangster with political aspirations, to dismantle the terror infrastructure threatening India.Orchestrated by IB Chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan), the mission is a long game of patience, betrayal, and brutality, bringing Hamza face-to-face with the ruthless ISI Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal) and the battle-hardened Karachi cop SP Chaudhary Aslam (Sanjay Dutt).What WorksAkshaye Khanna as the Scene-Stealer: While Ranveer is the lead, Akshaye Khanna is widely considered the film’s MVP. Playing the complex antagonist Rehman Dakait, he brings a terrifying calm and sophistication to the role. Critics and audiences alike have hailed this as one of his career-best performances.Ranveer Singh’s Restraint: Stepping away from his usual high-energy persona, Ranveer delivers a subdued, brooding performance. He plays Hamza as a man constantly on edge, blending into the shadows rather than chewing the scenery.Aditya Dhar’s Direction: Much like his debut Uri, Dhar treats the subject matter with grit and technical finesse. The action is grounded and brutal—shunning slow-motion masala tropes for realistic, visceral combat. The production design recreates the claustrophobic tension of Karachi’s Lyari district effectively.The Ensemble Cast: The film is stacked with talent.Arjun Rampal is chilling as the sadistic ISI officer.R. Madhavan brings gravitas as the mastermind handler.Sanjay Dutt fits perfectly as the rugged, no-nonsense cop.What Doesn’t WorkThe Massive Runtime: Clocking in at over 3.5 hours, the film is an endurance test. Several reviews note that the first half suffers from pacing issues as it sets up the complex web of characters. The editing could have been tighter to maintain the thrill.Narrative Density: The film tries to cover a lot of ground—politics, gang wars, espionage, and emotional subplots. At times, the sheer number of characters and sub-arcs can feel overwhelming or meandering.Political Undertones: While many enjoy the patriotic fervor, some critics have pointed out that the film’s political stance is less subtle than expected, occasionally leaning into jingoism which might not appeal to everyone.Final WordDhurandhar is not your typical Bollywood “masala” spy movie (like the Tiger or Pathaan films). It is a harder, bloodier, and more grounded procedural drama. If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers and can sit through a lengthy runtime for the payoff of incredible acting—especially by Akshaye Khanna—this is a must-watch.Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)Recommendation: Watch it for the performances and the intensity, but go in well-rested and prepared for a long haul.Would you like to know more about the specific real-life events that likely inspired the movie?