Dhurandhar is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language spy action thriller written and directed by Aditya Dhar, the filmmaker behind Uri: The Surgical Strike. It stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian intelligence agent, with Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi in major roles. The film is produced by Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios and B62 Studios, with music by Shashwat Sachdev.

Dhurandhar released in theatres on 5 December 2025 and became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, crossing ₹1,000 crore worldwide in just over three weeks. It is the first part of a two-part saga, and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, followed on 19 March 2026. The film also stirred debate, with praise for its performances, action and music, criticism of its 214-minute runtime, and a lively discussion about how it mixes fiction with real events. This guide covers the Dhurandhar movie review, cast, story, music, release details, OTT status and box office numbers.

Dhurandhar – Movie Details

Category	Details
Movie Name	Dhurandhar
Release Date	5 December 2025
Country	India
Language	Hindi (with Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions on OTT)
Genre	Spy Action Thriller
Director and Writer	Aditya Dhar
Lead Cast	Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan
Supporting Cast	Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, Danish Pandor, Manav Gohil, Saumya Tandon, Naveen Kaushik
Producers	Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar, Jyoti Deshpande
Production Companies	Jio Studios, B62 Studios
Music	Shashwat Sachdev
Lyrics	Irshad Kamil
Cinematography	Vikash Nowlakha
Editing	Shivkumar V. Panicker
Runtime	214 minutes (theatrical); 205 minutes (original Netflix cut)
Certification	A (Adults Only)
Reported Budget	₹250–255 crore (for both parts combined)
Worldwide Box Office	About ₹1,350 crore (some trackers report up to ₹1,428 crore)
OTT Platform	Netflix; uncut version also on JioHotstar
Sequel	Dhurandhar: The Revenge (19 March 2026)

Dhurandhar Story and Plot

The film opens in 1999 with the hijacking of an Indian airliner, a crisis that exposes the limits of India’s response to terror. After the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, Ajay Sanyal, the head of the Intelligence Bureau, gets approval for a covert mission called Operation Dhurandhar. Its goal is to infiltrate the criminal and political networks of Karachi and trace the terror pipeline that feeds attacks on India.

Sanyal sends an undercover agent into Pakistan in 2004. Using the name Hamza Ali Mazari, the agent settles in Lyari, one of Karachi’s toughest neighbourhoods, takes a job in a juice shop and studies the local gangs. Because of his identity, he can ally only with the gang led by Rehman Dakait. Hamza soon proves his value through his skill with weapons, cunning and nerve, and he slowly rises in the gang’s ranks. The film shows him working his way through gang wars, political deals and links between criminals and a powerful intelligence officer, as he tries to learn about a larger terror plan aimed at India.

The story is told in chapters, and it weaves in a romance, political rivalries, a police task force and the shadow of real attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Without revealing the ending, the film closes on a note that sets up a second part, and a post-credits scene teases the sequel. The makers have said that the film is inspired by real events and geopolitical developments across South Asia, while the film itself carries a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction.

Dhurandhar Cast and Characters

The Dhurandhar cast is one of the largest ensembles in recent Hindi cinema.

Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazari: Ranveer plays the undercover agent at the centre of the film in a brooding, restrained and physically intense performance, quite different from his usual loud screen persona. It is also his first A-rated film. He won the Best Actor award at the 2026 Screen Awards for the role.

Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait: Akshaye plays the feared leader of the Baloch gang in Lyari, and his performance became the most talked-about part of the film. His dance steps went viral online, and he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2026 Screen Awards.

Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam: He plays a tough Karachi police officer who leads a task force against the gangs.

Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal: He plays a Pakistani intelligence officer who works with the gangs and the businessmen behind a counterfeit currency network.

R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal: He plays the head of the Intelligence Bureau who launches Operation Dhurandhar and acts as Hamza’s ultimate boss.

Sara Arjun as Yalina Jamali: She plays the daughter of a Pakistani politician, who becomes Hamza’s love interest. Her performance earned a Breakthrough New Actor nomination at the 2026 Screen Awards.

Support Cast and Characters

Rakesh Bedi as Jameel Jamali: He plays a veteran politician. His line “Mera Baccha Hai Tu” went viral and became a meme across social media.

Gaurav Gera as Mohammed Aalam: He plays the juice-shop owner who becomes Hamza’s handler in Lyari.

Danish Pandor as Uzair Baloch: He plays Rehman’s cousin and deputy in the gang.

Others: The cast includes Manav Gohil as an IB officer, Saumya Tandon as Rehman’s wife, Naveen Kaushik, Asif Ali Haider Khan, Aditya Uppal, Gitikka Ganju Dhar and Madhurjeet Sarghi. Krystle D’Souza and Ayesha Khan appear as dancers in the song “Shararat”.

Why Dhurandhar Became One of the Biggest Hindi Films Ever

Aditya Dhar’s reputation. After the success of Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019, Dhar’s next directorial venture was one of the most awaited Hindi films, and he again partnered with composer Shashwat Sachdev.

A rare ensemble. Having Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan together in one film drew huge interest.

Word of mouth. The film’s second-week performance was driven largely by audience demand. It posted more than ₹30 crore in Hindi net on its second Monday, the highest for any Indian film on such a day.

Music and viral moments. The soundtrack, the “Ghayal hoon, isiliye Ghatak hoon” dialogue that paid tribute to Sunny Deol’s films, and Akshaye Khanna’s scenes kept the film trending for weeks.

A long theatrical run. The film stayed in cinemas for more than 100 days and played until its sequel was released.

Production, Creative and Technical Aspects

Development and Story

Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar announced the film in July 2024, and the title Dhurandhar was revealed in December 2024. It was originally planned as a single film, but because of its scale and complex narrative, it was split into two parts that were shot together as one project. The first-look poster and teaser were released on 6 July 2025, on Ranveer Singh’s 40th birthday. The trailer was originally planned for 12 November but was postponed after the Delhi car explosion and was finally released on 18 November 2025 in Mumbai.

Casting and Characters

The film brought together stars from different generations, including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan. Casting was handled by Mukesh Chhabra, who won an award for it at the 2026 INCA Awards.

Filming and Locations

Principal photography ran from July 2024 to October 2025 across India and abroad, including Punjab, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, and Thailand. Filming wrapped in October 2025 with Akshaye Khanna’s final scenes.

Production Companies

Dhurandhar is produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the production house run by Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar. Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios is also a producer. The film was distributed by Jio Studios and PVR INOX Pictures, with PVR INOX handling Central India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Cinematography, Editing and Design

Vikash Nowlakha is the cinematographer, and Shivkumar V. Panicker edited the film. Saini S. Johray is the production designer, Smriti Chauhan the costume designer and Bishwadeep Chatterjee the sound designer. Ojas Gautam, Aditya Dhar’s brother-in-law, edited the teaser and trailer and also worked as second unit director.

Music and Soundtrack Details

Shashwat Sachdev composed the music, his second collaboration with Aditya Dhar after Uri. The lyrics are by Irshad Kamil, and the music rights were acquired by Saregama. The full album was released on 1 December 2025, and an extended album with five additional songs followed on 10 December 2025.

1. Dhurandhar (Title Track)

Released on 15 October 2025, the title track features vocals by Hanumankind and Jasmine Sandlas. It is a remake of the 1995 Punjabi song “Na Dil De Pardesi Nu” and sets the film’s high-energy tone.

2. Ishq Jalakar (Karvaan)

Released on 25 November 2025, ahead of schedule because of public demand, this song is a recreation of the classic qawwali “Na To Karvan Ki Talash Hai” from the 1960 film Barsaat Ki Raat.

3. Gehra Hua

Released on 27 November 2025, this is a romantic number sung by Arijit Singh and Armaan Khan, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. It was nominated for Best Lyrics at the 2026 Screen Awards.

4. Shararat

A dance number sung by Jasmine Sandlas and Madhubanti Bagchi, with Krystle D’Souza and Ayesha Khan as dancers and choreography by Vijay Ganguly. It won the Best Choreography award at the 2026 Screen Awards.

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score won the Best Background Score awards at both the Screen Awards and the INCA Awards in 2026.

Release Date and Theatrical Distribution

Dhurandhar Release Details

Detail	Information
Film Title	Dhurandhar
Release Date in India	5 December 2025
Announced	July 2024
Teaser	6 July 2025
Trailer	18 November 2025
Certification	A (Adults Only)
Runtime	214 minutes (theatrical)
Re-release	12 March 2026 (India); 13 March 2026 (overseas)
Japan Release	10 July 2026
OTT Platform	Netflix (from 30 January 2026)
Uncut OTT Version	Netflix and JioHotstar (from 22 May 2026)

Official Release Date

Dhurandhar released worldwide on 5 December 2025. It was announced in July 2025 as a clash with Prabhas’s horror comedy The Raja Saab, which was later scheduled for January 2026. The film ran for more than 100 days in cinemas and was re-released in India on 12 March 2026, on more than 1,000 screens worldwide, a week before its sequel.

Certification and Runtime

The Central Board of Film Certification gave the film an A certificate for strong violence, and the runtime was finalised at 214 minutes after some violent visuals and a cuss word were censored in two scenes. This made it one of the longest Hindi films in 17 years.

Changes After Release

On 31 December 2025, the distributors replaced the film’s digital cinema package across India with an edited version, in which certain words, including “Baloch”, were muted. This came after a legal notice from members of the Baloch community who said the film defamed them. The film was also not released in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and its overseas distributor estimated that this ban cost it around ₹90 crore in earnings.

Worldwide Release

The film did well in North America, crossing USD 2 million in its first weekend, and performed strongly in the United Kingdom, Australia and parts of Europe, taking its overseas total above ₹200 crore.

OTT Release and Streaming Availability

Netflix acquired the digital rights for the first part for a reported ₹85 crore. Dhurandhar began streaming on Netflix on 30 January 2026 in Hindi, along with Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions. The original Netflix cut was about 9 minutes shorter than the theatrical version, at 205 minutes, mainly because some statutory smoking disclaimers and other portions were trimmed. Some viewers complained that the streaming version looked censored and had weaker colour grading than the theatrical release.

Netflix reported that the film trended at number one in 22 countries, and it recorded 7.6 million views in its first weekend, reportedly the first Indian film to cross 7 million views in that period. An uncut version, marketed as “Raw & Undekha”, began streaming on Netflix and JioHotstar on 22 May 2026.

Budget and Box Office Collection

Dhurandhar Budget and Box Office

Box Office Detail	Reported Figures
Reported Budget	₹250–255 crore (both parts combined)
Release Date	5 December 2025
Opening Weekend India Net	About ₹86.5 crore (about ₹24 crore, ₹27 crore and ₹35.5 crore across the three days)
₹1,000 Crore Worldwide	Reached on 26 December 2025 (22nd day)
India Gross	About ₹1,056 crore
India Net	About ₹830 crore or more (trackers vary)
Overseas Gross	About ₹293 crore
Worldwide Gross	About ₹1,350 crore (some trackers report up to ₹1,428 crore)
Verdict	Blockbuster; highest-grossing Indian film of 2025

Figures vary by tracker, so the numbers show the range reported and not a single official total.

Production Budget

The makers have said that the two parts of Dhurandhar were made together on a combined budget of around ₹250 to ₹255 crore. Because the films were shot concurrently, there is no separate official figure for the first part. Considering its earnings, the film was a massive financial success.

Opening and First Week

The film opened with a collection of about ₹24 crore in India net on its first day, followed by ₹27 crore and ₹35.5 crore, for an opening weekend of about ₹86.5 crore. Instead of the usual steep drop, its first week and its second weekend were stronger than expected, because of word of mouth. By the ninth day, it had reportedly collected around ₹276 crore net in India, and by day 19 it had grossed about ₹880 to ₹925 crore worldwide, according to different trackers.

The ₹1,000 Crore Milestone

On 26 December 2025, Dhurandhar crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide, with about ₹668.8 crore in India net and ₹206.91 crore from overseas. This made it the fourth Hindi film and ninth Indian film to enter the club, and Ranveer Singh’s first ₹1,000 crore grosser. In January 2026, it became the highest-grossing Hindi film in domestic collections at that time.

Final Collection and Records

The film finished its run with an India gross of about ₹1,056.62 crore and an overseas gross of about ₹293.03 crore, for a worldwide total of around ₹1,350.83 crore. It became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, the highest-grossing A-certified Indian film ever, and, at the time of its release, the third-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the fifth-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Its sequel later went on to beat several of these records.

Awards and Recognition

Dhurandhar dominated the 2026 Screen Awards with 14 wins, including Best Actor for Ranveer Singh, Best Director for Aditya Dhar, Best Supporting Actor for Akshaye Khanna, Best Action, Best Background Score, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It also won several awards at the Indian National Cine Academy Awards, including Best Actor, Best Director, Best Background Score, Best Editor and Best Casting. It received nominations at the Zee Cine Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor.

Dhurandhar Movie Review and Audience Reception

Rating Platform	Rating / Review
IMDb	About 8.6/10 at the time of reporting
BookMyShow	Audience reviews listed; no verified aggregate rating
PVR INOX	Audience reviews available; no verified aggregate rating
Critics’ Overall Response	Mixed, with star ratings ranging from 1/5 to 4.5/5

Ratings and vote counts change over time, so check the current listings for the latest scores.

Dhurandhar Review: What Works

Most reviewers agreed on the strengths. Ranveer Singh’s controlled, brooding performance anchors the film, and Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the gang leader was singled out as the film’s biggest highlight. The action sequences, the cinematography, the production design of the Lyari neighbourhood and Shashwat Sachdev’s music and background score were widely praised. Many critics also admired the scale of the storytelling, which uses chapters to build a detailed world of gangs, politics and intelligence agencies.

Dhurandhar Review: What Does Not Work

The most common complaint was the runtime of 214 minutes. Several reviewers felt the film was overlong, had too many sub-plots and lost focus in its second half, with some calling the climax underwhelming. Some felt that the film works in flashes and never fully comes together, and others pointed out that it is only the first half of a larger story, which makes it hard to judge on its own.

The Debate Around the Film

Dhurandhar also became the subject of a wider debate. Some commentators described it as propaganda because of its political messaging and its mix of real events and fiction, and some critics raised concerns about its portrayal of Pakistani characters and Muslims. Others defended it, saying it realistically depicts the terror threat India faces and that its gang rivalries and counterfeit currency network are rooted in real events. Pakistani sociologists and residents of Lyari said that the film’s depiction of the neighbourhood was inaccurate and based on fantasy. Ranveer Singh also drew criticism, and later apologised, for mimicking a sacred ritual during a promotional event in Goa. Readers should watch the film with this context in mind.

Audience Response

Audience response was strong, particularly for its second-week growth, and the film’s dialogues, music and Akshaye Khanna’s scenes were widely shared online. The film’s IMDb rating was reported at about 8.6 out of 10 in early 2026.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge – The Sequel

Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the second and final part of the duology, was released worldwide on 19 March 2026, coinciding with Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Eid al-Fitr. It stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun, and it released in Hindi along with Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada versions. It became a major box office success, crossing ₹1,000 crore worldwide within its first week and surpassing the first part by several hundred crore. The combined worldwide gross of the two films has been reported at more than ₹3,200 crore. Like the first part, it was not released in Gulf countries.

Where to Watch Dhurandhar

• Netflix: The film is streaming in Hindi, with Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions, and the uncut “Raw & Undekha” version is also available.
• JioHotstar: The uncut version has also been streaming since 22 May 2026.
• BookMyShow, District, PVR INOX and Cinépolis India: Check these platforms for any special screenings or re-releases in your city.

Availability depends on the country and region. The film is not available on OTT in the Gulf region.

Is Dhurandhar Worth Watching?

Dhurandhar is worth watching for viewers who enjoy large-scale spy thrillers, gangster dramas and intense performances. The acting by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the stylised action, the music and the immersive world-building are the strongest reasons to watch. It is also best viewed together with its sequel, since the first film ends on a set-up for the second.

On the other hand, it is long, graphically violent and carries an A certificate, so it is not suitable for children or sensitive viewers. Its political messaging and mix of real events and fiction have divided audiences and critics, so viewers who prefer less politically charged stories may want to read more about it first. Overall, it is a gripping and ambitious film for those who can commit to its length and tone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)