There is no doubt that Aditya Dhar has carved a space for himself as one of the most exciting filmmakers in India today. After the massive success of Uri: The Surgical Strike and the initial Dhurandhar film, he comes back with Dhurandhar The Revenge, a successor that is bigger in magnitude, deeper in sentiment and more powerful in impact. The result is a gripping, intense and at times overwhelming cinematic experience that keeps you hooked despite its long runtime.
What is it about?
Dhurandhar The Revenge picks up from where the first film ended. Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a character portrayed by Ranveer Singh, has now become deeply integrated in the Lyari underworld of Karachi as a man known as Hamza Ali Mazari. After the death of gang leader Rehman Dakait, the story explores how Jaskirat rises through the ranks, becomes a powerful figure and continues his dangerous mission as an Indian spy.
The film dives into his past, his emotional struggles and the cost of living a double life. It also delves upon major conflicts like whether Yalina Jamali can find his truth, how Major Iqbal responds to news that Hamza is actually someone else, and how intelligence collected by Jaskirat will be connected to significant national choices like the demonetisation in 2016. As the mission becomes darker, it becomes a concept of personal revenge that involves gang wars, political connections and espionage of a high level.
The narrative is divided into seven chapters, with most of them working brilliantly. Chapters like A Burnt Memory, Ghosts from the Past, Trial by Fire, The Revenge and Dhurandhar stand out for their writing and execution. However, parts like Lucifer and Unknown Men feel slightly convenient in terms of screenplay.
Performances
Ranveer Singh is the heart and soul of the film. Switching Jaskirat and Hamza, he presents a performance so powerful, emotional and intense. Between the vulnerability and anger, he manages all the shades with comfort. This is easily one of his finest performances and a strong contender for major awards.
R. Madhavan does not go unimpressed in his role as Ajay Sanyal with few, yet strong scenes. His character gets strong payoffs that elevate the narrative. Rakesh Bedi again surprises with comic timing and screen presence, which makes him a scene-stealer.
Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal continues to be menacing, though his impact feels slightly stronger in the first film. Sanjay Dutt delivers a dependable performance as SP Aslam, while Sara Arjun, despite limited screen time, shines in emotional moments and remains an important emotional anchor.
With nearly twenty key characters, the film manages to give each actor a moment, and almost all performances land well.
Technical brilliance and music
Technically, the film is top-notch. The cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha stands out with stunning visuals and smart shot division. It has a realistic production design and the sets resemble real-life places. Editing by Shivkumar V Panicker is sharp for most parts, ensuring the film rarely loses pace despite its length.
The background score and the music by Shashwat Sachdev give a lot of energy to the movie, particularly to the scenes with the climax. The songs are good, but they are not as recallable as the first film. The action choreography itself is rough and well performed, contributing to the gritty nature of the film.
What works and what does not
The film’s biggest strength is its engaging drama and strong storytelling. The revenge angle is further weighted with the emotional depth provided to the character of Jaskirat. A number of sequences such as the opening action, pre-interval twist, post-interval confrontations, mind games between characters and the climax twist generate whistle worthy moments in theatres.
The last hour, in particular, stands out for its high energy and repeat value, with multiple moments that make the audience cheer loudly.
However, the film is not without flaws. The excessive violence and gore may not work for everyone. Some of the sequences are overstretched and some sections of the screenplay are too convenient. It sometimes seems more of a web series than a tightly packed movie.
Overall verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Dhurandhar The Revenge is a bold, ambitious and emotionally charged sequel that lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor. Aditya Dhar once again proves his strength in storytelling and technical execution, while Ranveer Singh delivers a performance that carries the film on his shoulders.
It is long, violent and intense, but also engaging and rewarding for those who enjoy high-stakes drama and action.
Also Read | Dhurandhar: The Revenge Sets Box Office Buzz With 1.75 Lakh Preview Tickets Sold in Just 24 Hours
