Movie: Dhurandhar – Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna

Movie Dhurandhar - Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna

Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh's intense spy thriller, is inspired by real RAW ops. Explore cast, storyline, production, release details, and more.

Dhurandhar

Hey there, movie buffs!

If you are anything like us, there is nothing quite like getting excited for a big Bollywood release that promises edge-of-your-seat action mixed with a dash of patriotism.

We are talking about Dhurandhar, the Hindi spy thriller that’s got everyone buzzing.

Directed by the filmmaker behind the blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, this film stars Ranveer Singh in what appears to be one of his most transformative roles yet.

Whether you are a casual viewer scrolling for something new or a die-hard enthusiast dissecting every teaser, this movie profile has you covered.

Let us jump in and uncover what makes Dhurandhar a must-watch!

Overview

Picture this: A gritty tale of espionage, undercover missions, and high-stakes drama set against the backdrop of India’s intelligence world.

Dhurandhar (which translates to “Stalwart” in English) is an Indian Hindi-language spy action thriller that’s inspired by real-life events from the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

It is not just another action flick – it is a star-studded saga that blends underworld intrigue with patriotic fervor.

Announced back in July 2024, the film has been building anticipation through clever marketing, including character posters and a first-look teaser that dropped on Ranveer Singh’s 40th birthday.

At its core, Dhurandhar explores the unsung heroes of covert operations, drawing from global conflicts and true stories of bravery.

With a runtime reportedly exceeding three hours for the first part (and potentially more across two installments), it is designed to immerse you in a world of spies, betrayals, and triumphs.

As of November 17, 2025, the buzz is at an all-time high, especially with the trailer set to drop tomorrow after a brief postponement out of respect for a recent tragic event in Delhi.

The film is slated for a theatrical release on December 5, 2025, for Part 1, with Part 2 eyed for the first half of 2026 – a last-minute decision that has fans excited about an epic two-part journey.

Why the split?

Well, reports suggest that the initial cut was a massive seven hours long, packed with so much depth that the makers, Jio Studios and director Aditya Dhar, felt it deserved to be spread across two films.

This is not uncommon in Bollywood lately (think Ramayana or other epics), but it amps up the stakes for Dhurandhar.

Genre-wise, it is a mix of action, adventure, and drama, making it appealing to fans of films like Raazi or Uri.

No official ratings are available yet, as it is an upcoming release, but early hype suggests a potential blockbuster.

Moreover, where to watch?

Start with theaters, Yash Raj Films distributes it, and keep an eye on OTT platforms like JioCinema post-release, given Jio Studios’ involvement.

Cast

One of the biggest draws of Dhurandhar is its powerhouse ensemble cast.

Ranveer Singh leads the pack, and from what we have seen in teasers, he has undergone a complete transformation, complete with long hair, a beard, and that intense, brooding stare that screams “undercover operative.”

He is playing a RAW agent on a deep-cover mission, possibly inspired by real-life figures like Major Mohit Sharma.

Ranveer, known for his high-energy roles in films like Gully Boy and Padmaavat, is channeling a more restrained, gritty side here.

Fun Fact: This could be his longest film yet, clocking in over three hours for Part 1.

Joining him is R. Madhavan as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a role that’s got fans speculating about biographical elements.

Madhavan, fresh off successes like Rocketry, brings gravitas to the narration-style storytelling, where he recounts past operations.

Then there is Sanjay Dutt, whose larger-than-life presence fits perfectly into this blend of underworld and patriotism.

Akshaye Khanna plays the antagonist, adding layers of menace.

His first-look poster shows him bloodied and fierce.

Arjun Rampal rounds out the heavy hitters, likely in a key supporting role, while Sara Arjun steps in as the female lead.

Sara, who started as a child actor in films like Deiva Thirumagal, is now 20 and taking on more mature parts.

Here is a quick cast table for clarity:

CharacterActor/Actress
Jaskirat Singh Rangi a.k.a. Hamza Ali MazariRanveer Singh
SP Chaudhary AslamSanjay Dutt
Rehman DakaitAkshaye Khanna
Ajay Sanyal, Chief of IB (based on Ajit Doval)R. Madhavan
Major Iqbal, ISI (based on Ilyas Kashmiri)Arjun Rampal
Yalina Jamali, Jameel’s daughterSara Arjun
Jameel Jamali (based on Nabil Gabol)Rakesh Bedi
DongaNaveen Kaushik
Sushant Bansal, Deputy Director of the IBManav Gohil
Uzair BalochDanish Pandor
Mohammad AalamGaurav Gera
General Shamshad HassanRaj Zutshi
Ulfat, Rehman’s wifeSaumya Tandon
ShiraniBimal Oberoi
Babu DakaitAsif Ali Haider Khan
Prabhneet SinghMadhurjeet Sargi
Rizwan ShahMustafa Ahmed
Gurbaaz Singh “Pinda”Udaybir Sandhu
ShabnamGitikka Ganju Dhar
ZayanUmarr Naved Nirban
SiyahiRouhallah Gazi
Omar ShahidAditya Uppal
Baba Ladla / BablaSaurav Khurana
ShaukatSunil Sharma
Faizal BalochAzinkya Mishra
Naieem BalochHitul Pujara
Arshad PappuAshwin Dhar
Yasir ArafatAbhay Arora
Dawood IbrahimDanish Iqbal
Javed KhananiAnkit Sagar
Altaf KhananiMushtaq Naika
Azam CheemaVinod Tharani
Sajid MirFaiz Khan
Abdul BhuttoviSanjay Mehta
David HeadleyCarl Andrew Harte
Ajmal KasabDalvinder Saini
Uzair’s wifeAkaisha Vats
VeenaBhasha Sumbli
Amarjit Singh BrarVijender Singh
Balwinder SandhuGurlal Sandhu
Zahoor Mistry / Zahid AkhundVivek Sinha
Ibrahim AtharRajesh Sangwan
Nawab ShafiqMashhoor Amrohi
Asif Ali ZarwariSanjay Mehndiratta
Devarat Kapoor, Minister of External Affairs (based on Jaswant Singh)Akash Khurana
S. S. BhullarAli Raza Namdar
DGP Prashant Kumar, Uttar Pradesh PoliceHimanshu Gokhani
BalwantSiddharth Bharadwaj
MukkaRajat Aroraa
LassanGursewak Singh
Dancer in the song “Shararat”Krystle D’Souza
Dancer in the song “Shararat”Ayesha Khan

This lineup is not just star power; it is a mix of veterans and fresh faces that promises dynamic on-screen chemistry.

Behind-the-scenes leaks reveal intense action sequences between Ranveer and Akshaye in Ladakh, as well as some romantic moments with Sara.

If you are into Dhurandhar actors, this cast alone makes it worth the ticket!

Storyline

Alright, let us get to the heart of it – the Dhurandhar story.

While the makers have kept the full synopsis under wraps to build suspense, here is what we know from teasers, reports, and insider buzz.

The plot revolves around a top RAW spy (Ranveer Singh) who goes deep undercover in enemy territory – think Pakistan – to thwart a significant threat.

Incredible actual events, including covert operations from the golden era of Indian intelligence, inspire it.

The narrative kicks off with Madhavan’s character (as Ajit Doval) narrating a tale from his past, diving into dramatized missions that echo real-life exploits.

Fans speculate it is loosely based on Doval’s own career and the story of Major Mohit Sharma, who infiltrated Pakistan in 2005, befriended locals, and gathered crucial intel.

There is grit in the underworld connections, high-octane action, and themes of patriotism that tie into global conflicts.

No spoilers here, but expect twists involving betrayals, high-stakes chases, and emotional depth, especially with the two-part format allowing for more character development.

What sets Dhurandhar‘s storyline apart?

It is not pure fiction; it is rooted in reality, subtly linking to films like Uri and Raazi in what some call India’s emerging spy universe.

The first-look video shows Ranveer bloodied and brooding, cigarette in hand, hinting at a character arc from operative to legend.

If you are searching for Dhurandhar story details, this is as close as we get before the trailer – but trust me, it is shaping up to be a rollercoaster.

To visualize the intensity, take a look at this poster collage, which highlights the film’s dramatic vibe.

Production Details

Behind every great film is a team that pours its heart into it, and Dhurandhar is no exception.

Written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar (of Uri fame), the film is a passion project.

Producers include Aditya Dhar, his brother Lokesh Dhar, and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios and B62 Studios.

Cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha captures the raw, authentic feel, while editor Shivkumar V. Panicker handles the pacing to create a thrilling edge.

Music is by Shashwat Sachdev, with lyrics by Kumaar.

The title track, a remake of the 1995 Punjabi song “Na Dil De Pardesi Nu,” features rappers such as Hanumankind and singers Jasmine Sandlas, among others.

It dropped on October 15, 2025, and has been a hit.

Filming was an adventure in itself.

It began in July 2024 in Bangkok, then moved to Amritsar near the Golden Temple in November 2024, followed by a relocation to Mumbai’s Filmistan and Madh Island by February 2025.

Action scenes were shot at Mankoli Bridge in May, a dance number at Vile Parle’s Golden Tobacco Factory in July, and Pakistan-set sequences recreated in Thailand, where 500 locals built a massive Bhindi Bazaar set over 20 days!

August brought challenges in Ladakh, where food poisoning hit 120 crew members, halting production.

Ranveer wrapped his portions by October 2025.

Budget-wise, it is a big-ticket item financed by Jio Studios, with reports indicating extensive footage that led to the two-part split.

Marketing has been clever: First look on July 6, 2025, character posters rolling out, and the trailer tomorrow at 12:12 PM.

If you are curious about Dhurandhar production, it is a testament to Bollywood’s scale.

Here is a crew table for quick reference:

RoleName
Director/WriterAditya Dhar
ProducersAditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar, Jyoti Deshpande
CinematographerVikash Nowlakha
EditorShivkumar V. Panicker
Music ComposerShashwat Sachdev
ProductionJio Studios, B62 Studios

Release Format And Episodes

Since Dhurandhar is a feature film, not a series, it does not have traditional episodes.

Instead, think of it as an epic divided into parts for maximum impact.

Originally planned as a single 3.5-hour movie, the latest updates confirm it is now a two-part saga.

Part 1 hits theaters on December 5, 2025 – just in time for the holiday season buzz.

Part 2 is scheduled for early March 19, 2026, allowing the story to unfold at a leisurely pace.

This format allows the narrative to breathe, much like K.G.F. or Pushpa have built their franchises.

The runtime for Part 1 is over three hours, making it Ranveer’s longest film to date.

For Dhurandhar episodes or format queries, this two-part structure is the key twist.

Where to watch?

Theaters first, with OTT likely on JioCinema a few months after theatrical release – though no confirmed date has been announced yet.

Reviews

Aditya Dhar follows up Uri with something far darker and more ambitious: a 3-hour-34-minute descent into the dirty, unglamorous machinery of Indian intelligence.

Ranveer Singh, almost unrecognizable under a lean, scarred physique and quiet rage, plays Hamza, an undercover operative who spends years inside Karachi’s criminal-terror nexus.

This is not the chest-thumping patriotism of recent years; it is cold, procedural, and often brutal.

The film earns its length.

The first half is slow-burn tradecraft (dead drops, compromised handlers, moral erosion), the kind of detail Indian cinema rarely bothers with.

When the violence finally erupts, it is shocking in its intimacy: no slow-motion hero walks, just blood, broken bones, and the sickening realization that everyone is disposable.

The action choreography is easily the best in mainstream Hindi cinema this decade; raw, claustrophobic, and genuinely painful to watch.

Ranveer gives what might be his most controlled performance ever.

The usual hyperactivity is gone; what is left is a man hollowed out by the job.

Akshaye Khanna, as a soft-spoken ISI-adjacent power broker, delivers a career-best villain turn with zero theatrics.

Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan are rock-solid in support.

Only the romantic track with Sara Arjun feels tacked-on and forgettable.

Technically, the film is flawless.

The background score (Shashwat Sachdev and others) is thunderous without ever drowning out the dialogue, and cinematography swings between muted greys of safehouses and sudden bursts of neon-soaked Karachi nights.

Editing keeps a massive ensemble plot remarkably clear.

Is it too long? Yes, by about twenty minutes.

Does the final act occasionally lean into melodrama?

Slightly.

However, these are minor sins against what Dhar ultimately achieves: a big-budget Hindi film that trusts its audience to sit with discomfort, silence, and moral ambiguity.

Verdict: 4/5.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

One of the finest spy films Indian cinema has produced.

Watch it in a theatre, on the biggest screen possible, preferably with the volume turned all the way up.

Trivia

To spice things up, here are some fun, lesser-known facts about Dhurandhar that add that extra layer of intrigue:

  1. Massive Set Recreation: Scenes set in Pakistan were shot in Thailand, where a team of 500 local workers toiled non-stop for 20 days to build an authentic Bhindi Bazaar set. Talk about dedication to realism!
  2. Health Scare on Set: Filming in Ladakh hit a snag when 120 crew members, including extras, suffered food poisoning. Production halted briefly, but they powered through to wrap by October 2025.
  3. Rap Remix Magic: The title track features a rap by Hanumankind and is a remake of a 1995 Punjabi classic, blending old-school vibes with modern energy. It is already a fan favorite.
  4. Leaked Ladakh Action: Behind-the-scenes videos leaked online showing Ranveer in intense fights with Akshaye Khanna and romantic sequences with Sara Arjun, giving fans early glimpses of the drama.
  5. Not A Direct Biopic: While inspired by Ajit Doval and Major Mohit Sharma, the makers clarify it is not a straight biography – more a fictionalized take on real ops to avoid sensitivities.

These tidbits make Dhurandhar even more engaging – who does not love a good behind-the-scenes story?

For a visual trivia boost, here is another poster that captures the film’s explosive energy.

Conclusion

Wrapping up, Dhurandhar looks set to be a thrilling addition to Bollywood’s spy genre, with Ranveer Singh leading a stellar cast in a story inspired by real RAW heroes.

From the intense storyline and production adventures to the two-part release and buzzing trivia, there is plenty to get excited about.

Whether you are in it for the action, the patriotism, or just Ranveer’s charisma, mark December 5, 2025, on your calendar for Part 1.

Who knows – this could kick off a new spy universe!

If you enjoyed this deep dive into the Dhurandhar cast, story, and more, why not check out our other posts?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Are you team one-part or thrilled about the split?

Happy watching, folks!

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