Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) – Movie Review

A Bloody, Explosive Sequel That Actually Delivers

Let me start by saying this upfront – I walked into Dhurandhar: The Revenge with zero expectations. The first film was a solid entertainer, sure, but sequels rarely match the original, let alone surpass it. Well, Aditya Dhar has proved me wrong. This is not just a sequel; this is a cinematic monster that refuses to slow down . The Story (No Spoilers) Picking up exactly where Dhurandhar ended, the film follows Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh) as he rises to rule the crime-infested streets of Lyari in Karachi. But here's the twist – we finally get his origin story. Clean-shaven, angry, and broken, Jaskirat Singh Rangi transforms into the man we saw in the first film. The narrative weaves real-life events like Operation Lyari and the 2014 general election into its fictional fabric . It's ambitious, messy at times, but mostly effective. What Works Ranveer Singh is on fire. There's no other way to say it. He plays two distinct versions of the same character – the vulnerable Jaskirat and the ruthless Hamza – with startling ease. Watch his eyes in the scene where he makes the decision to never return home. No dialogue. Just raw emotion. That's acting. The action sequences are next level. The trailer promised blood-soaked violence, and the film delivers. The interval block – a single-take chase through the narrow alleys of Lyari – had my theater clapping. It's brutal, unflinching, and beautifully choreographed . The supporting cast shines. R. Madhavan returns as Ajay Sanyal, and his three-word mantra – "Haunsla, Eendhan, Badla" (courage, fuel, revenge) – becomes the film's emotional anchor . Arjun Rampal as ISI Major Iqbal is genuinely menacing. And Sanjay Dutt? He shows up, cracks a joke, shoots a goon, and disappears. Pure swag . The music works this time. Shashwat Sachdev's background score elevates every frame. The songs are still forgettable, but the BGM stays with you long after you leave the theater. What Doesn't The runtime is exhausting. At nearly three hours, the film tests your patience. There's a stretch in the second half where the editing could have been tighter. You feel every minute of it. Some real-life references feel forced. The first film was criticized for mixing real events with fiction to push a nationalist narrative . The sequel doubles down on this. If you're looking for subtlety, look elsewhere. A few characters are wasted. With an ensemble this stacked, some actors get barely any screen time. You'll leave wishing certain characters had more to do. The Box Office Madness Here's something that makes this film's success even more impressive – it was denied a theatrical release in Gulf countries . Despite that, the film has crossed ₹1,500+ crore globally and is now the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of all time, behind only Dangal, Baahubali 2, and Pushpa 2 . In North America alone, it has become the highest-grossing Indian film ever . For a film that couldn't even screen in West Asia, that's nothing short of extraordinary. The Verdict Dhurandhar: The Revenge is not perfect. It's loud, long, and politically charged. But it's also thrilling, emotional, and anchored by a career-best performance from Ranveer Singh. If you enjoyed the first film, you'll love this one. If you're new to the franchise, watch Dhurandhar first – it's currently streaming on Netflix and re-released in theaters ahead of the sequel . Go for the action. Stay for the emotional gut punch in the last thirty minutes. Final Word: A rare sequel that improves on the original. Just keep some patience for the runtime. Quick Facts Field Information Director Aditya Dhar Cast Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Akshaye Khanna Release Date March 19, 2026 (paid previews from March 18) Languages Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada Runtime Approximately 175 minutes Global Box Office ₹1,564+ crore (Day 17) Where to Watch In theaters worldwide