Shobhaa De Reviews Dhurandhar 2: Arjun Rampal Outshines, Akshaye Khanna’s Absence Felt

Author and columnist Shobhaa De has shared a candid appraisal of Dhurandhar 2. The spy action thriller released worldwide on March 19.

Overall verdict

De said the sequel did not match the first film’s impact. She found the follow-up less layered and more predictable.

She noted the film runs about four hours. Despite the length, she did not fall asleep while watching it.

Standout performances

De highlighted Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt as scene-stealers. Rampal plays Major Iqbal and Dutt portrays SP Chaudhary Aslam.

In her view, Arjun Rampal outshines many of his co-actors. She described Dutt as menacing and utterly in command.

She also noted Akshaye Khanna’s absence. Akshaye Khanna’s absence felt particularly keen, she said, because a key character and a memorable dance beat were missing.

Narrative and technical critiques

De criticised the script and the film’s predictability. She said many scenes felt like familiar tropes and clichés.

Dialogue often spelled out motives, she added. That, she argued, reduced the film’s subtext and tension.

Music choices felt safe and repetitive to her. She mentioned action set pieces that resembled big, explosive set pieces in other commercial films.

Other observations

De pointed out a few clever twists, one near the interval and one at the end. Still, she questioned the emotional payoff of a Pathankot sequence and called the finale anticlimactic.

She also commented on small details, such as Ranveer Singh’s stylised look during fight scenes. Overall, she felt the sequel lacked the novelty that made the first film gripping.

Cast and context

Alongside Ranveer Singh, the film features R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Gaurav Gera. Akshaye Khanna appears only in the earlier instalment as Rehman Dakait.

De first reviewed the franchise in December. Back then, she praised Ranveer Singh’s restraint and had a different take on Akshaye Khanna’s role.

Filmogaz.com covered De’s Instagram review and its capsule commentary. Her verdict mixes praise for individual performances with clear reservations about the sequel’s storytelling.