Dhurandhar (2025), directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan, became India's highest-grossing film of 2025. But numbers don't capture what many viewers walked out of theatres feeling: unsettled, stirred, and with a lot to process. Whether you loved it or hated it, Dhurandhar is not an easy film to shrug off.
What Dhurandhar Is About
The film follows Humza, an undercover Indian intelligence operative sent to infiltrate Karachi's criminal and terror networks. Directed by Aditya Dhar — the man behind Uri: The Surgical Strike — Dhurandhar operates on a massive scale, running over 3.5 hours and depicting espionage, sacrifice, moral compromise, and India-Pakistan geopolitical tension with unflinching intensity.
The Performances
Ranveer Singh delivers a career-defining performance as the tortured spy who loses his identity in the mission. Akshaye Khanna, in particular, has been singled out by critics and audiences alike as the film's emotional anchor — his portrayal of Intelligence chief Ajay Sanyal is understated, complex, and devastating. Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal are formidable presences, and R. Madhavan brings rare quiet intensity to a smaller role.
Why the Film Divides People
Dhurandhar sits at a complicated intersection. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 37% of critics reviewed it positively — yet it grossed over ₹1,000 crore domestically. Audience scores and critic scores have rarely been this far apart. The film's unflinching portrayal of Pakistani criminals and terrorists has been praised by some as honest and criticised by others as propaganda. The 214-minute runtime divides viewers who see it as immersive versus exhausting. There is no neutral reaction to Dhurandhar.
The Emotional Weight
Beneath the action and politics, Dhurandhar is a film about sacrifice, identity loss, and what we owe to the people and nation we love. Many viewers report feeling a kind of complicated grief after watching — pride mixed with sadness, anger mixed with love for country. These aren't easy feelings to sit with alone.
Talk Through What You're Feeling
If Dhurandhar stirred something heavy in you — feelings you're not sure how to name or share — Talksy gives you a space to talk it through with a real, anonymous listener.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dhurandhar based on a true story?
Dhurandhar is a fictional spy thriller, though it draws on the real geopolitical backdrop of India-Pakistan tensions and references real historical events in its framing. It is not based on a specific documented operation.
Is Dhurandhar suitable for all ages?
Dhurandhar contains intense violence, depictions of torture, and heavy geopolitical themes. It is generally not recommended for children. Viewer discretion is advised.
Why did Dhurandhar get banned in Pakistan?
Pakistani officials publicly banned the film citing its portrayal of Pakistani criminals and the state as propaganda. The ban became international news and paradoxically boosted awareness of the film globally.
Is Dhurandhar available on OTT?
Part 1 released on Netflix. Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Part 2), released theatrically on March 19, 2026, is confirmed for JioHotstar.
More on Dhurandhar
Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar — Why This Is His Most Important Role
Why Dhurandhar Hits So Hard Emotionally — And How to Process It
Dhurandhar on Netflix — Everything You Need to Know Before Watching
Dhurandhar and India-Pakistan Relations — What the Film Shows and What It Means
Akshaye Khanna in Dhurandhar — The Performance That Elevates the Entire Film
What Is Talksy?
Talksy is an Indian emotional support app that connects you with real, trained listeners — anonymously and instantly. No appointments, no personal details required. Just a safe space to say what you're actually feeling, to someone who is genuinely listening.
Films like Dhurandhar often surface feelings that are hard to talk about with people you know. Talksy is built for exactly those moments.