Review: Dhurandhar’s Gripping Tale of Revenge

Aditya Dhar returned to theatres on 20 March 2026 with the second instalment of his franchise. The film runs 3 hours and 49 minutes and carries an A/18+ certificate.

It is an action thriller starring Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt. The cast also includes Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Manav Gohil and others.

Credits and release

The film was directed and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. Producers include Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar under Jio Studios and B62 Studios.

Shashwat Sachdev composed the music. Vikash Nowlakha handled cinematography and Shivkumar V. Panicker edited the film.

Box office context

The first chapter of the franchise released in December last year. That film earned more than a thousand crore rupees in one language.

Its run exceeded two months in many theatres. The sequel arrived roughly three months after the first part.

Plot outline

The story continues the arc of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, who operated under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari. The new film explores his rise to lead the Lyari gang.

It details how Major Iqbal discovers Hamza’s true identity as an Indian operative. The narrative also links intelligence from Jaskirat to India’s 2016 demonetisation decision.

Performances

Ranveer Singh anchors the film with a demanding central role. Critics and audiences praised his emotional and physical range.

R. Madhavan impressed in the role of Ajay Sanyal with two powerful sequences. Rakesh Bedi provided comic relief and proved a scene stealer.

Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt delivered solid support performances. Sara Arjun appeared in a limited but important emotional arc.

Supporting ensemble

• Manav Gohil
• Gaurav Gera
• Danish Pandor
• Danish Iqbal
• Raj Zutshi
• Saumya Tandon
• Madhurjeet Sarghi

Technical strengths

Technical departments received strong notes across sound, production design and action choreography. Many sets felt convincingly real.

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score amplified key sequences. The songs remained mostly situational, keeping the film’s pacing intact.

Visuals by Vikash Nowlakha stood out. Editing by Shivkumar V. Panicker preserved momentum through most of the lengthy runtime.

Structure and highlights

The film is divided into seven chapters. Five chapters earned unanimous praise for writing and execution.

• A Burnt Memory
• Ghosts from the Past
• Trial by Fire
• The Revenge
• Dhurandhar

Two chapters, Lucifer and Unknown Men, worked but felt narratively convenient. Several sequences drew loud audience reactions in theatres.

Notable sequences

• Opening action episode and Hamza’s backstory
• Pre-interval and post-interval confrontations
• An attempted assassination tied to Dawood Ibrahim
• Mental sparring with SP Chaudhary Aslam
• Payoff for Ajay Sanyal’s Kandahar reference
• Face-off with Major Iqbal and a climactic twist

Positives and concerns

Strengths include compelling drama, technical polish, and strong lead work. The climax twist and action choreography also scored high.

• Engaging drama and storytelling
• High technical standards
• Standout lead performance
• Memorable payoffs for supporting characters
• Powerful background score

Concerns centred on graphic violence and a few convenient screenplay moments. The heavy gore may unsettle some viewers.

Critical take

On balance, the film matches the conviction of its predecessor. The director blends high-octane set pieces with deep emotional stakes.

Despite a near-four-hour runtime, most sections maintain momentum. The final hour showed significant repeat-value among audiences.

Verdict

Filmogaz.com gives the film a 3.5 out of 5 rating. The picture is a gripping action tale that rewards big-screen viewing.

It will satisfy fans of the franchise and viewers seeking a technically assured, intense revenge story.