Dhurandhar Netflix Review: Ranveer Singh's Spy Thriller Fails to Impress
When Netflix announced the acquisition of "Dhurandhar," a spy thriller starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, expectations soared. The streaming giant's track record with Indian content has been mixed, but the promise of two powerhouse actors clashing in a high-stakes espionage drama seemed like a surefire recipe for success. Unfortunately, this much-anticipated OTT debut crumbles under the weight of its own ambition, delivering a convoluted narrative that struggles to maintain tension throughout its excessive runtime. The film, which premiered globally on Netflix last Friday, has already generated significant buzz on social media, though not for the reasons its creators might have hoped.
A Plot Lost in Its Own Complexity
The film centers on Kabir Dhurandhar (Ranveer Singh), a rogue RAW agent who goes off the grid after a mission in Istanbul goes horribly wrong, resulting in civilian casualties. Haunted by the death of his protégé, Kabir becomes a ghost, operating outside the system he once served. Enter Vikram Rathore (Akshaye Khanna), a seasoned spymaster and Kabir's former mentor, tasked with hunting down the very asset he trained. The cat-and-mouse game that ensues should be electrifying, yet it feels oddly mechanical and devoid of genuine suspense.
Director Rohan Sippy attempts to weave multiple timelines and international locations into a cohesive tapestry. The narrative jumps between present-day Mumbai's rain-soaked streets, flashbacks to the botched Istanbul operation, and a convoluted subplot involving a biological weapon threat. However, these elements never truly coalesce into a satisfying whole. Instead, we're left with a fragmented story that confuses more than it captivates. The non-linear storytelling feels forced rather than purposeful, serving as a distraction from the film's emotional core. Key plot points are introduced and then abandoned, such as a mysterious USB drive that ultimately proves meaningless.
Performances: Talent Underutilized
Ranveer Singh throws himself into the role with his characteristic intensity, but even his boundless energy cannot salvage a poorly written character. Kabir Dhurandhar is meant to be a brooding, complex anti-hero, yet the screenplay gives him little depth beyond generic trauma tropes. Singh's theatrical flourishes, which serve him brilliantly in period epics, feel out of place in this gritty espionage landscape. His performance occasionally veers into unintentional parody, particularly during a laughably over-the-top interrogation scene set in a Goa nightclub.
Akshaye Khanna, conversely, delivers a masterclass in restraint and subtle menace. As Vikram Rathore, he brings a quiet intensity that the film desperately needs. His scenes are the most compelling, particularly a tense confrontation with his bureaucratic superior where he questions the morality of modern espionage. Khanna's subtle expressions and measured dialogue delivery create a character that feels authentic. It's a shame he's given so little screen time, often relegated to barking orders into phones or staring at surveillance footage. The few scenes where both actors share the frame crackle with potential, but they're too brief to save the film.
The supporting cast, including Sobhita Dhulipala as a hacker with ambiguous loyalties and Gulshan Devaiah as a Chechen arms dealer, are given thankless roles that add little to the narrative. Their characters appear and disappear without making any lasting impact, suggesting significant cuts in the editing room. Radhika Apte, in a brief role as a journalist, is wasted in a part that feels tacked on purely to fulfill a romantic subplot quota.
Technical Execution: Style Over Substance
Visually, "Dhurandhar" is undeniably polished. Cinematographer K.U. Mohanan captures Mumbai's monsoon-soaked streets with a noir-ish sheen, and the Istanbul sequences boast a tourist-brochure vibrancy. The production design is impeccable, from the sterile modernity of RAW headquarters to the grimy authenticity of Mumbai's underworld safe houses. The action choreography, particularly a hand-to-hand combat scene in a cramped apartment, shows flashes of genuine brilliance.
However, these merits are undercut by erratic editing that makes it difficult to follow action sequences. The film frequently cuts away from impactful moments to unnecessary establishing shots, dissipating tension. The much-hyped car chase through Mumbai's Western Express Highway is rendered incomprehensible through rapid cuts and shaky cam work. At 158 minutes, "Dhurandhar" feels bloated, with at least 30 minutes that could be excised without affecting the main narrative. Entire subplots could be removed entirely, slowing momentum to a crawl. The third-act twist, meant to recontextualize everything, lands with a thud due to insufficient foreshadowing.
A Disappointing Addition to the Spy Genre
In an era where Indian cinema has produced sophisticated espionage thrillers like "Baby," "Raazi," and the "Pathaan" universe, "Dhurandhar" feels regressive. It borrows liberally from "The Bourne Identity" and "Mission: Impossible" but lacks their narrative tightness and character development. The film's techno-babble about encryption and deep fakes feels dated, reminiscent of 1990s Hollywood thrillers. Its geopolitical commentary is superficial, touching on India-Pakistan tensions without saying anything new.
The Netflix platform, which has given us series like "The Night Manager" and "Fauda," seems an odd fit for this theatrical misfire. The film's sensibilities belong to a bygone era of Bollywood potboilers, where logic took a backseat to star power. Its OTT debut exposes these flaws further, as viewers can pause and notice plot holes. The dialogue writing is particularly cringe-worthy, with characters spouting exposition-heavy lines that sound unnatural.
Themes and Subtext: Missed Opportunities
What makes "Dhurandhar" especially frustrating is its failure to explore interesting themes. The film touches on the psychological toll of espionage and the blurred lines between patriotism and morality, but these ideas are merely sketched. A more nuanced screenplay might have delved into Vikram's conflicted feelings about hunting his former student, or Kabir's crisis of faith in the system. Instead, we get surface-level treatment that prioritizes action over character.
The representation of technology is another weakness. In an age where audiences are sophisticated about cybersecurity, "Dhurandhar" treats hacking as magic. Scenes where Dhulipala's character "breaks through firewalls" with a few keystrokes undermine the film's realism.
Production Context and Reception
Produced by RSVP Movies and Netflix India with a reported budget of ₹120 crore, "Dhurandhar" was positioned as a flagship original. However, early viewer metrics suggest the film is struggling to maintain engagement, with many reportedly abandoning it midway. The music score by Amit Trivedi is serviceable but forgettable, failing to create memorable motifs.
Final Verdict
"Dhurandhar" represents a missed opportunity. With its stellar cast and budget, it should have been a game-changer for Indian spy thrillers. Instead, it serves as a cautionary tale about prioritizing star power over script development. Akshaye Khanna's performance offers some redemption, but it's not enough to justify nearly three hours of viewing time.
For fans of the genre, better options exist on Netflix. For Ranveer Singh devotees, this proves a disappointing watch that fails to showcase his talents. "Dhurandhar" ultimately feels like a film greenlit based on a pitch deck rather than a finished screenplay, leaving audiences with a profound sense of what might have been.