Dhurandhar: The Revenge Movie Review: "Courage, Fuel, Revenge"
"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" (2026), directed by Aditya Dhar, serves as the highly anticipated sequel to the 2025 hit "Dhurandhar." This spy action thriller dives deeper into the world of undercover operations, geopolitical tensions, and personal vendettas. Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead as the dual-identity operative Jaskirat Singh Rangi / Hamza Ali Mazari, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun. Clocking in at nearly four hours (around 229-235 minutes),
It amplifies the patriotic fervor, intense action, and high-stakes espionage from the original while pushing boundaries with more violence, twists, and unapologetic nationalism. Released amid massive hype and pre-sales success, the movie positions itself as a cinematic spectacle in India's spy thriller genre, blending raw emotion with over-the-top sequences.
Plot Overview
Picking up where the first film left off, the story follows Jaskirat (Ranveer Singh), now fully entrenched in Karachi's criminal underworld as Hamza Ali Mazari. Having assumed the feared alias "Sher-e-Baloch," he rises through rival gangs and syndicates while pursuing a larger mission: avenging historical attacks like 26/11 and dismantling threats tied to Pakistani intelligence and terror networks.
The narrative weaves personal revenge with national duty, as Hamza balances loyalty to his country, betrayals from within, and escalating confrontations with antagonists like Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal) of the ISI. Twists abound, including shocking revelations before the interval and a climactic finale involving high-stakes operations. The plot explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and retribution in a gritty, fictionalized portrayal of cross-border intrigue, though it often prioritizes spectacle over subtlety, leading to a marathon runtime filled with exposition, gang wars, and explosive set pieces.
Performance
Ranveer Singh delivers a career-defining, powerhouse performance that carries the film's immense length almost single-handedly. Shifting between vulnerability, cold calculation, unhinged ferocity, and soul-baring intensity, he transforms from the more restrained role in the original into a home-grown Rambo-like figure. Critics and audiences alike praise his ability to hold the screen through emotional depth and raw physicality, making him an "absolute force." Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas as the tough SP Chaudhary Aslam, adding layers to the law-enforcement side.
Arjun Rampal is menacing as the ruthless Major Iqbal, while R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun provide solid support in key roles. The ensemble shines in intense confrontations, though some side characters feel underdeveloped amid the focus on Ranveer's central arc.
Technical Aspects
Aditya Dhar's direction excels in crafting visually stunning sequences, with masterful cinematography capturing the chaotic streets of Karachi and explosive action set pieces. The film's technical prowess shines in high-octane chases, brutal hand-to-hand combats, and large-scale destruction—often compared to Rohit Shetty-style spectacles with cars exploding and bazookas blazing.
Sound design and background score amplify the tension and patriotic highs, while editing keeps the momentum despite the extended runtime. Production values are top-notch, with meticulous detailing in world-building, costumes, and practical effects that make the underworld feel immersive and dangerous. However, the over-reliance on loud volume, gore, and prolonged sequences can feel exhausting.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: The film's biggest assets are Ranveer's commanding lead performance and mind-blowing twists that keep viewers engaged. It delivers unapologetic patriotism, razor-sharp action, and high emotional stakes, making it a crowd-pleaser for fans of high-octane spy thrillers. Sharp writing in parts, meticulous detailing, and satisfying payoffs in revenge arcs contribute to its entertainment value. The epic scale and conviction in its vision ensure a theatrical experience that feels larger-than-life.
Weaknesses: At nearly four hours, the pacing suffers—rushed in some sections and stretched in others—with excessive violence, obvious dialogues, and heavy exposition that spell things out rather than trusting the audience. The heavy propaganda elements and pugnacious tone can feel one-note or manipulative, prioritizing bloodlust over nuanced storytelling. Some tropes and clichés dominate, and the absence of standout elements from the original (like Akshaye Khanna's character) makes it less balanced. It occasionally sacrifices breathing room for spectacle, leading to fatigue.
Final Verdict
"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" is a bold, bombastic sequel that lives up to much of its colossal hype as a thoroughly entertaining, satisfying cinematic event for those who enjoy unfiltered patriotic action thrillers. While it doesn't surpass the original in narrative finesse, Ranveer Singh's tour-de-force performance, combined with explosive sequences and clever twists, makes the long runtime worthwhile in theaters. It's a film of the moment—loud, violent, and polarizing—but undeniably impactful for its target audience. If you're in for raw energy and nationalism-fueled spectacle, it delivers; for subtler storytelling, it may overwhelm.
Rating: 3.75/5
Strong performances and action elevate it, but length and excess hold it back from greatness.
"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" (2026), directed by Aditya Dhar, serves as the highly anticipated sequel to the 2025 hit "Dhurandhar." This spy action thriller dives deeper into the world of undercover operations, geopolitical tensions, and personal vendettas. Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead as the dual-identity operative Jaskirat Singh Rangi / Hamza Ali Mazari, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun. Clocking in at nearly four hours (around 229-235 minutes),
It amplifies the patriotic fervor, intense action, and high-stakes espionage from the original while pushing boundaries with more violence, twists, and unapologetic nationalism. Released amid massive hype and pre-sales success, the movie positions itself as a cinematic spectacle in India's spy thriller genre, blending raw emotion with over-the-top sequences.
Plot Overview
Picking up where the first film left off, the story follows Jaskirat (Ranveer Singh), now fully entrenched in Karachi's criminal underworld as Hamza Ali Mazari. Having assumed the feared alias "Sher-e-Baloch," he rises through rival gangs and syndicates while pursuing a larger mission: avenging historical attacks like 26/11 and dismantling threats tied to Pakistani intelligence and terror networks.
The narrative weaves personal revenge with national duty, as Hamza balances loyalty to his country, betrayals from within, and escalating confrontations with antagonists like Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal) of the ISI. Twists abound, including shocking revelations before the interval and a climactic finale involving high-stakes operations. The plot explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and retribution in a gritty, fictionalized portrayal of cross-border intrigue, though it often prioritizes spectacle over subtlety, leading to a marathon runtime filled with exposition, gang wars, and explosive set pieces.
Performance
Ranveer Singh delivers a career-defining, powerhouse performance that carries the film's immense length almost single-handedly. Shifting between vulnerability, cold calculation, unhinged ferocity, and soul-baring intensity, he transforms from the more restrained role in the original into a home-grown Rambo-like figure. Critics and audiences alike praise his ability to hold the screen through emotional depth and raw physicality, making him an "absolute force." Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas as the tough SP Chaudhary Aslam, adding layers to the law-enforcement side.
Arjun Rampal is menacing as the ruthless Major Iqbal, while R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun provide solid support in key roles. The ensemble shines in intense confrontations, though some side characters feel underdeveloped amid the focus on Ranveer's central arc.
Technical Aspects
Aditya Dhar's direction excels in crafting visually stunning sequences, with masterful cinematography capturing the chaotic streets of Karachi and explosive action set pieces. The film's technical prowess shines in high-octane chases, brutal hand-to-hand combats, and large-scale destruction—often compared to Rohit Shetty-style spectacles with cars exploding and bazookas blazing.
Sound design and background score amplify the tension and patriotic highs, while editing keeps the momentum despite the extended runtime. Production values are top-notch, with meticulous detailing in world-building, costumes, and practical effects that make the underworld feel immersive and dangerous. However, the over-reliance on loud volume, gore, and prolonged sequences can feel exhausting.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: The film's biggest assets are Ranveer's commanding lead performance and mind-blowing twists that keep viewers engaged. It delivers unapologetic patriotism, razor-sharp action, and high emotional stakes, making it a crowd-pleaser for fans of high-octane spy thrillers. Sharp writing in parts, meticulous detailing, and satisfying payoffs in revenge arcs contribute to its entertainment value. The epic scale and conviction in its vision ensure a theatrical experience that feels larger-than-life.
Weaknesses: At nearly four hours, the pacing suffers—rushed in some sections and stretched in others—with excessive violence, obvious dialogues, and heavy exposition that spell things out rather than trusting the audience. The heavy propaganda elements and pugnacious tone can feel one-note or manipulative, prioritizing bloodlust over nuanced storytelling. Some tropes and clichés dominate, and the absence of standout elements from the original (like Akshaye Khanna's character) makes it less balanced. It occasionally sacrifices breathing room for spectacle, leading to fatigue.
Final Verdict
"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" is a bold, bombastic sequel that lives up to much of its colossal hype as a thoroughly entertaining, satisfying cinematic event for those who enjoy unfiltered patriotic action thrillers. While it doesn't surpass the original in narrative finesse, Ranveer Singh's tour-de-force performance, combined with explosive sequences and clever twists, makes the long runtime worthwhile in theaters. It's a film of the moment—loud, violent, and polarizing—but undeniably impactful for its target audience. If you're in for raw energy and nationalism-fueled spectacle, it delivers; for subtler storytelling, it may overwhelm.
Rating: 3.75/5
Strong performances and action elevate it, but length and excess hold it back from greatness.
