In the gritty world of espionage, lines between hero and villain are often blurred. The new Bollywood film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, explores this grey zone through the story of Ajay Sanyal, a RAW agent portrayed with intensity by Ranveer Singh. The narrative begins with Sanyal being humiliatingly turned back by terrorists in Kandahar, a setback that fuels his determination to dismantle Pakistan's terror networks from within.
Infiltration into Karachi's Underworld
After a two-year struggle to secure government approval, Sanyal's audacious plan is set in motion. He adopts the identity of Hamza, a Balochi man who arrives in Karachi's volatile Lyari Town, claiming his family was lost to the cause. The town is a battleground for violent gangs, each backed by political parties. Hamza's entry point comes when he saves the son of the powerful gang lord Rehman Dakait, played with chilling menace by Akshaye Khanna.
Rejecting a monetary reward, Hamza earns trust through repeated acts of loyalty in this hyper-masculine, bullet-ridden world. He gradually becomes Rehman's right-hand man, privy to his inner circle. The film doesn't shy away from brutal violence, which Ranveer Singh manages to portray with a sense of heroic purpose. His observant eyes silently gather crucial intelligence at every step.
Star Performances and Narrative Twists
Aditya Dhar injects a romantic subplot, with Hamza wooing the daughter of a sinister politician, Jameel Jamali, played by Rakesh Bedi. The film also introduces a formidable antagonist in SP Chaudhary, a corrupt cop who memorably saves Jamali's contact as 'Suar Jamil'. His dramatic entry, styled like South Indian cinema, revitalizes the narrative.
The plot thickens with the entry of the ISI, led by a character portrayed by Arjun Rampal, who retains his screen presence despite an unflattering disguise. A subplot involving two wealthy brothers obtaining plates for Indian currency notes raises fears of propaganda, but the film cleverly sidesteps this. Instead, it channels audience sentiment through a cathartic scene where Hamza violently confronts a villain who celebrated the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The Long Road to a Sequel
However, Dhurandhar's sprawling runtime of over three and a half hours tests viewer patience. A key exposition about using men with 'nothing to lose' for infiltration feels rushed, possibly due to controversies around the film not seeking permission from its real-life inspiration. The story builds towards a climax that promises comeuppance for the corrupt money brothers and other antagonists, but viewers will have to wait for the second part, slated for a mid-2026 release.
Ultimately, the film proves Ranveer Singh doesn't need a violent vehicle to establish his stardom, yet his powerful performance fills theaters with audiences cheering for the protagonist. The film culminates in a patriotic fervor, leaving a lasting impression with its bold narrative and strong performances, setting the stage for an anticipated sequel.
