Aditya Dhar returns with a vengeance. Dhurandhar: The Revenge picks up exactly where the first film left off — and in its first half, it is nothing short of spectacular. The tension is tight, the writing is sharp, and the storytelling pulls you deep into the dangerous lanes of Karachi with an urgency that rarely lets up. Dhar masterfully builds on the world established in part one, and for the first ninety minutes, this feels like the spy thriller Bollywood has always been capable of making but never quite delivered.
The action sequences deserve a standing ovation. Whether it is a breathless chase through crowded streets or a brutal close-quarters confrontation, every action set piece is crafted with precision and scale. The choreography is visceral, the editing is razor-sharp, and the sound design puts you right in the middle of the chaos. This is big-screen Bollywood action at its absolute finest.
Ranveer Singh is a revelation. As the undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari, he strips away every trace of his trademark larger-than-life persona and delivers a performance of quiet, simmering intensity. He is restrained, dangerous, and deeply human — and it is arguably the finest work of his career. Every scene he is in, he owns completely.
Rakesh Bedi as Jameel Jamali is the film’s most underrated gem. His portrayal of the complex Pakistani politician is layered, nuanced, and quietly heartbreaking. The line “Mera Baccha Hai Tu” lands with tremendous emotional weight because Bedi earns every moment of it. He is extraordinary.
Sanjay Dutt as SSP Chaudhary Aslam is pure cinema. Commanding, charismatic, and electric whenever he appears on screen — Dutt reminds you why he remains one of Bollywood’s most compelling presences. His scenes crackle with energy and he brings a raw authority to the role that is impossible to ignore.
If the film stumbles anywhere, it is in the latter stretch of the second half. The pacing loses its grip, certain subplots feel stretched, and there are moments where the narrative momentum stalls when it should be building. It is not a fatal flaw but it does dampen the experience somewhat after such a magnificent first half.
Then comes the climax — and Dhar redeems everything in spectacular fashion. The twist in the final act is genuinely stunning. It is the kind of reveal that recontextualises everything you have watched, and it lands with the force of a punch you never saw coming. The theatre erupted, and rightly so.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge is an imperfect but deeply thrilling conclusion to one of Bollywood’s most ambitious spy sagas. The first half is brilliant, the action is world-class, the climax is unforgettable, and Ranveer Singh, Rakesh Bedi and Sanjay Dutt are at the very top of their game.
Verdict: A must-watch for every Bollywood fan. Go for the action, stay for the twist.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — 4/5