Dhurandhar (2026) — Tight, Smart, and Ranveer Singh's Best
Dhurandhar (2026) · ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Dir. Aditya Dhar · Starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan · 150 min · Hindi
Streaming: Netflix
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The setup: In the early 2000s, an undercover Indian intelligence operative codenamed Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh) infiltrates Karachi's underworld, embedding himself deep within the city's criminal syndicates and political machinery. His mission: dismantle a violent nexus from within. But as he rises through the ranks, the line between his cover identity and his true self begins to blur — and the cost of loyalty becomes devastatingly personal.
The verdict: fantastic. This is the kind of Bollywood spy thriller that reminds you why the genre works when it's done right. Aditya Dhar, who previously gave us Uri: The Surgical Strike, here delivers something tighter, darker, and more morally complex. The screenplay is lean — no fat, no filler, no random song sequences that kill momentum. Every scene earns its place.
Ranveer Singh is magnetic as Hamza. He plays the dual identity with genuine restraint — this isn't the manic energy of Gully Boy or the bombast of Simmba. There's a quiet menace in his eyes, a weariness that suggests a man who's been living a lie for so long he's forgotten which version is real. It's controlled, mature work, and it anchors the entire film.
Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal is a worthy adversary — cold, calculating, and genuinely threatening. Sanjay Dutt brings weight to his role as SSP Chaudhary Aslam, the Lyari Task Force chief caught between duty and the chaos surrounding him. R. Madhavan as IB Director Ajay Sanyal adds institutional gravitas. The ensemble is stacked, and everyone delivers.
The screenplay by Aditya Dhar is the real star here. The plotting is intricate without being confusing — multiple threads weave together organically: undercover operations, political maneuvering, gang warfare, and personal vendettas. The dialogue is sharp, the twists are earned, and the pacing barely lets you breathe. At 150 minutes, it never feels long.
Shashwat Sachdev's background score is excellent — tense, propulsive, and never overwrought. The action sequences are brutal and grounded, more Sicario than John Wick. The film doesn't shy away from violence, but it never glorifies it either — every bullet has consequences.
Where it falters: The film's nationalist undertones occasionally tip into jingoism, particularly in the third act. Some of the political allegories feel heavy-handed, and a few supporting characters deserved more screen time. The romantic subplot, while brief, feels like a contractual obligation rather than a narrative necessity.
Bottom line: Dhurandhar is a legitimately great spy thriller — tight, smart, and elevated by Ranveer Singh's best performance in years. If you can overlook the occasional patriotic grandstanding, this is one of the finest Indian action films in recent memory. Highly recommended.