Dhurandhar 2 Review: A Visually Grand Film That Struggles to Breathe
Dhurandhar 2 Review: In an industry increasingly obsessed with “pan-India scale,” Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge doesn’t just follow the trend, it tries to redefine it. Directed by Aditya Dhar and powered by a ferocious Ranveer Singh, this sequel isn’t merely bigger than the first, it’s louder, darker, heavier, and at times, overwhelmingly indulgent.
But beneath all its spectacle lies a more interesting question:
Is Dhurandhar 2 a cinematic high, or a film that confuses scale with storytelling?
The sequel continues the journey of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, now fully consumed by his alias Hamza. The film moves away from the tight espionage narrative of the first part and enters a sprawling universe of crime syndicates, political conspiracies, and personal vendettas.
This expansion is both its biggest strength and its fatal flaw.
Instead of a focused mission-driven plot, the film becomes:
- A revenge saga
- A geopolitical drama
- A psychological breakdown of its protagonist
All at once.
There are moments where the writing hits hard, especially when it explores identity conflict but these are often buried under layers of excessive plotting. The film doesn’t trust silence; it constantly pushes for scale.
Ranveer Singh Is Not Acting, He’s Consuming the Film
Let’s be clear, this is Ranveer Singh’s film in every possible sense.
He doesn’t “play” Hamza. He devours him.
From restrained rage to explosive brutality, his performance feels physically exhausting, like he’s carrying the emotional and narrative weight of a film that often loses control.
What stands out:
- His eyes do more work than entire dialogue scenes
- His body language shifts between identities seamlessly
- Even in chaotic sequences, he remains the anchor
There are stretches where the screenplay weakens but Singh doesn’t. He elevates scenes that, on paper, shouldn’t work.
This isn’t just a good performance.
It’s a borderline self-destructive commitment and it shows.
Aditya Dhar’s Vision: Controlled Chaos Turns Into Excess
After the grounded intensity of Uri: The Surgical Strike, Aditya Dhar takes a radically different route here.
He aims for:
- International-scale action
- Multi-layered storytelling
- A morally complex protagonist
And to his credit, he achieves all of it.
But not without consequences.
The film suffers from what can only be described as “ambition overflow.”
- Scenes run longer than needed
- Subplots compete instead of complement
- Emotional beats are rushed after prolonged action
Dhar’s restraint once his biggest strength feels missing here. The result? A film that wants to be everything, everywhere, all at once.
Action: Spectacular, Brutal, and Sometimes Numbing
There’s no denying it, Dhurandhar 2 is one of the most technically ambitious action films in Bollywood.
The action is:
- Gritty, not glossy
- Violent, not stylised
- Immersive, not escapist
Gunfights feel chaotic. Hand-to-hand combat is raw and uncomfortable. Explosions aren’t just visual, they’re emotional punctuation.
But here’s the problem:
There’s too much of it.
By the second half, the impact starts to fade. Not because it’s poorly done but because the film doesn’t know when to pause.
Intensity without relief eventually becomes noise.
Dhurandhar 2 Review
Where the Film Truly Works: Psychological Conflict
The most compelling parts of Dhurandhar 2 are not the explosions, they’re the silences.
Whenever the film slows down to explore:
- Hamza vs Jaskirat
- Loyalty vs survival
- Identity vs duty
…it becomes something far more powerful than a typical action film.
These moments hint at a deeper, more intimate film that could have existed beneath the spectacle.
Where It Falls Apart: Editing and Runtime
Let’s address the elephant in the room, the runtime.
The film feels long. Not just in duration but in experience.
Issues include:
- Repetitive action beats
- Dragging mid-sections
- Lack of tight narrative control
A sharper edit could have transformed Dhurandhar 2 from a good film into a great one.
Right now, it feels like a brilliant film trapped inside an overextended cut.
Box Office and Opening Response: A Strong Start Despite Hurdles
Despite facing technical delays and cancelled premiere shows in some regions, the film has opened to a massive response.
Early preview collections reportedly touched around ₹44 crore, indicating strong audience interest.
The hype around the sequel, combined with the success of the first film, has clearly worked in its favor.
Audience Reaction: Divided but Loud
The response to Dhurandhar 2 is already polarising:
What fans love:
- Ranveer Singh’s performance
- Scale and ambition
- Gritty action
What critics question:
- Pacing issues
- Narrative overload
- Emotional disconnect
This is not a universally loved film.
But it is a film people will argue about and that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Dhurandhar 2 worth watching?
Yes, especially for Ranveer Singh’s performance and large-scale action.
2. Is Dhurandhar 2 better than the first part?
It’s bigger and bolder, but less tightly written.
3. What is the runtime of the film?
It is reportedly over 230 minutes (3 hours and 50 minutes) long.
4. How is Ranveer Singh’s performance in Dhurandhar 2?
It is widely praised as intense and powerful.
5. Will there be a third part of Dhurandhar?
No official confirmation yet.
Final Verdict: A Bold Film That Needed Discipline
Dhurandhar 2 is not a safe sequel. It’s messy, ambitious, excessive and at times, absolutely thrilling.
It doesn’t always work. But it never feels small.
And in today’s formula-driven landscape, that counts for something.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
