Movie: Dhurandhar The Revenge
Genre: Action Thriller
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Manav Gohil, Sara Arjun, Danish Pandor, Rakesh Bedi and Others
Director: Aditya Dhar
Writer: Aditya Dhar
Produced By: Aditya Dhar, Jyoti Deshpande, Lokesh Dhar
Music: Shashwat Sachdev
Cinematography: Vikash Nowlakha
Editing: Shivkumar V Panicker
Runtime: 229 Minutes (3hrs 49mins)
Story
Following the events of Dhurandhar, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge delves into the backstory of Jaskirat Singh Rangi (Ranveer Singh) and his transformation into Hamza Ali Mazar.
After the death of Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), the power dynamics in Lyari shift significantly. As the vacuum widens, Hamza Ali Mazar rises to take control, navigating a world filled with conflict, power struggles, and hidden agendas.
At the same time, beyond the battle for dominance, a larger purpose unfolds, one that ties into safeguarding the nation.
How does Jaskirat’s transformation shape his journey? What leads him to become Hamza Ali Mazar? And how does his rise connect to a bigger national mission? The film explores this dual journey of power and purpose, blending action, emotion, and geopolitics.
Artiste Performances
Ranveer Singh is explosive in Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. While the first part held back his full potential to establish the world and characters, this time he unleashes a performance filled with intensity and layered emotion. From controlled aggression to emotionally charged moments, he brings depth to the character. The final stretch, in particular, showcases him at his most uninhibited, delivering a powerful and impactful performance.
Arjun Rampal continues his role with the same intensity seen in the first film. With his character’s motivations already established, he adopts a more composed yet menacing approach this time, making his presence consistently effective.
R. Madhavan delivers another solid performance, staying true to his character’s conviction and purpose. His portrayal of a man driven by duty and national responsibility comes across as sincere and believable.
Sanjay Dutt handles his role with ease, balancing the seriousness of a police officer with subtle touches of comic timing. He fits naturally into the narrative and adds value to the proceedings.
Manav Gohil, Sara Arjun, Danish Pandor, and Rakesh Bedi each get moments to contribute meaningfully within their scope and perform well. The rest of the supporting cast do their part effectively, supporting the narrative where required.
Technical Departments
The editing by Shivkumar is one of the film’s biggest strengths. Despite a lengthy runtime of nearly four hours (3 hrs 49 mins), the narrative remains consistently engaging without noticeable dull moments. The film flows smoothly, with one scene transitioning effectively into the next. The pacing is well-maintained, and a few transitions, especially during high-intensity moments, are executed impressively.
Music by Shashwat Sachdev works well for the film. While the songs may not have the immediate impact like the first part, the background score is highly effective. The use of remixed versions of old songs during key moments, along with rap-infused music in action sequences, adds an adrenaline rush and enhances the overall viewing experience.
The production values are absolutely solid. Given the scale, the recreation of Pakistan feels authentic and convincing. Much like the first part, the locations and settings immerse the audience into the world seamlessly.
Cinematography by Vikash is top-notch. From tight close-ups that capture emotional intensity and discomfort, to well-composed wide shots and dynamic angles, the visual storytelling consistently supports the film’s tone and scale.
Director Aditya Dhar delivers confidently. Having established the world and characters in the first part, he fully capitalises on that foundation here. He ties together multiple narrative threads with detail and intensity, packing the film with strong dramatic moments, emotional weight, and high-impact sequences. His handling of the material ensures that, despite the length, the film remains engaging and immersive throughout.
What Worked
Ranveer Singh’s explosive performance
Strong backstory of the lead character
Hamza’s rise and takeover of Lyari
Pre-interval to post-interval stretch at Hamza’s house
The “Unknown Men” chapter
Video call sequence
A gripping final act filled with action and twists
Drama and Emotion
Engaging writing and screenplay
High production values
Effective background score
What Could've Worked Better
Excessive violence in certain portions
Overuse of strong language
Analysis
Dhurandhar was a highly engaging film that stood out for its strong character work, detailed world-building, grounded drama, and the way it blended real-life incidents with a fictional narrative. Naturally, the sequel arrives with high expectations. Having laid a solid foundation in the first part, Aditya Dhar now takes the narrative forward and delivers effectively.
The film revolves around three key threads - the transformation of Jaskirat Singh Rangi into Hamza Ali Mazar, the power vacuum and political tension in Lyari after the death of Rehman Dakait, and the larger national security angle. The director remains focused on these pillars throughout, without unnecessary deviations.
The film opens with a detailed backstory, taking its time to establish the motivations and emotional core of Jaskirat. This stretch gives a strong foundation to the character and helps the audience understand his transformation. Once this setup is complete, the narrative picks up pace and moves into the consequences of the previous film.
The Lyari gang war portions are staged effectively, combining style with impact. The sequences leading up to Hamza taking control of Lyari are executed with strong visual flair and engaging action moments. The takeover itself is presented as a high point, making the first hour after the backstory consistently engaging.
One noticeable drawback is the heightened level of violence compared to the first part. The intensity of certain sequences and the frequent use of strong language may feel excessive to some viewers. However, apart from these aspects, the film maintains a strong grip over its narrative.
Once Hamza takes charge of Lyari, the story shifts into a mission-driven mode. A major turning point arrives unexpectedly and works well within the narrative, setting the stage for the protagonist’s larger journey.
The pre-interval to post-interval stretch stands out as one of the film’s strongest segments. The staging, emotional weight, and execution of these sequences are highly effective. The post-interval portion, in particular, is emotionally charged and highlights the harsh realities of a spy’s life, the sacrifices, the isolation, and the unwavering commitment to duty. The scene involving Hamza and Yalena further strengthens this emotional connect and pulls the audience deeper into the narrative.
Following this, the “Unknown Men” chapter emerges as another highlight. It is well-conceived, engaging, and filled with thrilling moments. The way the film integrates real-life incidents into a fictional framework adds authenticity and enhances the overall impact.
From this point onward, the narrative builds steadily toward the climax, with Hamza going on a relentless path. A key payoff involving a character from the first part receives a strong audience response. The film then ties together multiple threads, leading into a powerful and action-packed climax.
The climax is intense, filled with high-impact moments and strong confrontations. Just when it feels like the film has reached its peak, the director introduces a series of unexpected twists that elevate the experience further. These moments are designed to surprise and engage, and they land effectively, especially in a theatrical setting.
Aditya Dhar deserves credit for the scale and execution of both films. He establishes the world, builds layered characters, explores their motivations, and drives the narrative with clarity and purpose.
Managing such expansive storytelling across two long-duration films without unnecessary detours is commendable. Despite its intensity and a few excesses, Dhurandhar: The Revenge succeeds as a gripping spy action thriller, delivering strong drama, storytelling, and an engaging cinematic experience.
My Final Thoughts
Dhurandhar: The Revenge builds effectively on the strong foundation set by its predecessor, delivering a gripping and layered continuation. With Ranveer Singh at the forefront, the film thrives on intensity, character depth, and a well-constructed narrative that balances personal transformation with larger geopolitical stakes.
One of the film’s key strengths is how it integrates real-life incidents into a fictional framework, adding authenticity and depth to the storytelling. While the film pushes boundaries in terms of violence and strong language, it compensates with engaging writing, powerful performances, and consistently high-impact sequences. Aditya Dhar sustains the scale and ambition of the franchise, making this a compelling and immersive spy action thriller that keeps the audience invested throughout.
Bottom-line: Raw, intense, and engaging - A compelling spy thriller!
P.S. This is purely my personal take on the film.
I do not rate movies because I believe every film is made with effort, belief, and hard work by many people across departments. My intention is never to influence anyone’s experience before watching a film, but only to share what I felt as a movie lover. 😊
Review by a Movie Lover