The reviews for the movie Dhurandhar are generally positive, with critics and audience members praising its intensity, performances, and production.
Here's a summary of the key points from the reviews:
Overall Sentiment
The film is widely called a "paisa vasool" (worth the money) and a "MEGA BLOCKBUSTER" by many viewers.
It's described as a high-adrenaline patriotic action drama/spy thriller that also delves into a Godfather-esque gangster saga set in Karachi's underbelly.
Many consider it a "must-watch" and one of the best espionage thrillers in recent Bollywood history.
Key Highlights
Performances:
Ranveer Singh (as Hamza Ali/Major Mohit): Hailed for a "phenomenal" and "powerhouse" performance, showcasing "grit, power, and deep emotion." He is seen as delivering a major comeback.
Akshaye Khanna (as Rehman Dakait): Often cited as the scene-stealer of the film, delivering a "chilling," "brutally effective," and "masterclass in simmering intensity."
Ensemble Cast: The strong performances by Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi are also consistently appreciated for enriching the narrative.
Direction and Technical Aspects:
Aditya Dhar's Direction: Praised for stylish and tight storytelling, creating a gripping and textured world.
Action & BGM: The action sequences are noted for being realistic and beautifully choreographed. The Background Music (BGM) and use of classic songs are called "thunderous," "top-notch," and instrumental in elevating the film's pulse.
Screenplay: Generally described as sharp and engaging, especially in the first half.
Criticisms and Drawbacks
Runtime: The film's lengthy runtime (approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes) is the most frequent point of criticism. Some reviews felt the first half was "stretched" or that the film could have benefited from tighter editing.
Second Half/Climax: A few reviews mention that the momentum dips in the second half, and the ending/climax feels more like a setup for the confirmed sequel {Dhurandhar 2} than a satisfying conclusion.
Violence: The film contains brutal, gory, and graphic violence, which may be off-putting for some viewers.
Lead Pairing: The noticeable age and height gap between Ranveer Singh and co-star Sara Arjun was mentioned as awkward or distracting by some.
Average Critic Rating
Based on multiple published reviews, the film has generally received ratings in the range of 3 to 4 out of 5 stars.
In short, Dhurandhar is a polarizing but highly-praised action-thriller driven by stellar performances, especially from Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, but is very long and has an ending designed to lead into a sequel.