Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar (2025)

Runtime: 214 minutes (not a misprint)

Directed by: Aditya Dhar

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Madhavan

From: B62 Studios/Benetone Films/Jio Studios

I was hoping to see more than two movies from India in the month of March; alas… I’ll try to see one at the least in April but before my Netflix subscription lapses (given that they’re raising prices AGAIN, it might be some time before I rejoin that platform) in a few days, this popular Indian Hindi spy thriller needed a viewing. The lengthier sequel to an already lengthy first film is still on cinema screens for the next few days in my area but something 229 minutes long is a lot even by my standards. However, I still want to eventually check out the sequel at home.

Inspired by a few real-life events, an agent named Hamza goes undercover to study then infiltrate the gangs in Karachi, Pakistan to topple a terror network plotting to terrorize India. Of course, I’m greatly simplifying the scenario and not discussing the revenge killings, the drama among the gangs in Karachi, the political machinations, the gruesome violence-including something straight out of a Miike movie-the romance, the shootouts, etc.

The film still had what I stereotypically expect from Indian cinema: OOT moments, slow-motion, men with beards and/or mustaches smoking cigarettes, etc. There are even a few song-and-dance numbers, although the dancing was always organic to the scene. Much of this installment leans towards the crime drama aspect rather than the terrorist angle. One day in the future, I’ll check out its sequel (The Revenge); the first installment was an exciting crime drama full of characters which never become tired or confusing despite the 3 ½ hour length, filled with the Indian flavor that makes the country’s cinema unique.

That includes a catchy score/soundtrack. I was happy to have seen a role from a legend in that country’s film world—Sanjay Dutt. He portrayed a grizzled old badass rather well; I was amused after the fact to learn that the earworm tune which played during his first scene was from a film he did in the 90’s.