What is the Dhurandhar movie about?
Dhurandhar is a 2025 Hindi spy-action thriller that centers on an Indian intelligence operation using a young man from Punjab to infiltrate the Pakistani underworld, turning his personal revenge into a national-security mission.[1][2] Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, it combines espionage tradecraft, cross-border crime and patriotic themes in a gritty, large-scale narrative.
The film is set against the early-2000s fight against terrorism, depicting how a weakened Indian state apparatus seeks unconventional methods to counter threats emerging from across the border.[1][2] Through its protagonist’s journey from captive to covert asset, Dhurandhar explores manipulation, sacrifice and the blurred moral lines of secret wars.
Cast, characters and creative team
Dhurandhar features a powerhouse ensemble led by Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazhari, supported by Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait, R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal and Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal.[2][3][4] Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and a large supporting cast portray gangsters, officers and political figures who populate the film’s dense underworld and intelligence landscape.[2][3]
Behind the scenes, the movie is directed and written by Aditya Dhar and produced by B62 Studios and Jio Studios, with cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha and music by Shashwat Sachdev.[2][4] The creative choices emphasize layered character arcs, stylized violence and a grounded espionage tone, helping each major character leave a strong impression even within an expansive runtime.[2][5]
Reviews, audience reception and global impact
Early audience response to Dhurandhar has been notably positive, with IMDb users awarding it an average rating above 8/10 and praising its robust screenplay, character depth and lack of dull moments despite a runtime of over three hours.[2] Viewers frequently highlight the balance of intense action with emotional storytelling and single out Akshaye Khanna, Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Dutt for standout performances.[2][5]
On platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, user comments describe Dhurandhar as one of the best films of 2025, applauding its ensemble cast, world-building and execution of espionage set pieces.[5] The film’s wide release through major cinema chains, including AMC in the US, is helping it reach global audiences and reinforces its status as a marquee Bollywood spy thriller that can appeal beyond the traditional Indian market.[5]