Ranveer Singh makes a striking return to the big screen with Dhurandhar, delivering a fierce, layered performance in Aditya Dhar’s ambitious spy thriller. Blending historical terror incidents with a fictional revenge saga, the film explores India’s covert response to cross-border terrorism through the secret project ‘Dhurandhar’.

A brutal world built around revenge and espionage

Set around the IC-814 Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, Dhurandhar opens with Ajay Sanyal, an Intelligence Bureau officer played by R Madhavan, who strongly opposes releasing captured terrorists. Despite his resistance, bureaucracy prevails, setting the stage for the covert mission he later leads.

The project introduces its central weapon — Humza Ali Mazari, later revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangil — portrayed by Ranveer Singh with ferocity and emotional depth. Dropped straight into Karachi’s dangerous Lyari district, Humza navigates a nexus of gangs, politicians, and the ISI, with the narrative also touching upon tensions between local Pakistanis and Baloch communities.

Performances that elevate the film

Akshaye Khanna nearly steals the spotlight as a feared Lyari gangster inspired by Rehman ‘Dakait’ Baloch. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of SP Chaudhry Aslam brings an intimidating presence, while Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal leaves a lingering impact despite limited screen time.

Sara Arjun plays Yalina with conviction, and the film also features an unrecognisable Gaurav Gera in a surprise appearance.

Music, violence, and a split narrative

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score stands out, weaving classic Pakistani melodies with Indian retro hits to complement the film’s shifting tones. Viewers should be prepared for intense brutality, graphic torture scenes, and sudden shifts in narrative style — especially in a second half that feels markedly different from the first.

The episodic structure, archival footage, and mix of real and fictional characters add layers, though some may find the format distracting.

Ending that sets up part two

While the film does not end on a dramatic cliffhanger, its teaser for the second part — scheduled for March 19, 2026 — ensures audiences will return to witness the conclusion of Humza’s journey.

Farhan Akhtar’s latest release 120 Bahadur hit theatres on November 21 but registered a dull opening on its first day, earning Rs 2.35 crore. In comparison, De De Pyaar De 2, which is now in its second week, continues to show stronger hold at the box office.

Slow start for 120 Bahadur on day one

The action-drama opened to modest numbers on Friday, collecting Rs2.35 crore on its first day. Despite pre-release buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s performance, the film has begun its run on the lower side.

De De Pyaar De 2 maintains its advantage

Meanwhile, De De Pyaar De 2 continues its steady run. On its eighth day, the film maintained an edge over 120 Bahadur in overall earnings, according to media. The strong hold of the Ajay Devgn-led sequel appears to have impacted the new release’s opening day business.

Fans of The Family Man 3 are celebrating the gripping new season, but a large section of viewers has taken to social media to criticise what they describe as an “abrupt” and “unsatisfying” ending. The latest season, which released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, has drawn praise for its emotional depth and high-stakes storytelling, yet its final moments have left many feeling short-changed.

Viewers disappointed with the “sudden” conclusion

Soon after the release, frustrated fans began sharing their reactions online. One viewer wrote that the season “ends so abruptly it feels like the makers simply packed up and went home,” calling the lack of closure “exhausting”. Another comment read, “#TheFamilyMan3… ahh ending entra. Fully disappointed.”

Some tried to strike a balanced tone, acknowledging the well-crafted emotional arc and a comic cameo stretch that offered relief. However, the overall complaint remained the same — that the season cuts off just when the tension reaches its peak. “Why make us watch the entire season if the makers plan to keep the best part hanging for the next one?” a user questioned.

Still, many fans have labelled the show “engaging” and applauded the team for delivering another compelling chapter.

Season 3: Srikant caught between personal turmoil and a national crisis

The new season places Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) in one of the most complicated phases of his life. His relationship with Suchitra (Priyamani) appears strained, marked by distance and unspoken tension. Even as his home life falters, a series of coordinated blasts in the Northeast within 48 hours threatens a major peace initiative led by Prime Minister Basu (Seema Biswas).

Srikant and his senior officer Gautam Kulkarni (Dalip Tahil) travel to Nagaland to salvage Project Sahakar, relying on regional leader David Khuzou (Sunil Thapa) to bring warring sides to agreement. But the fragile situation collapses after a deadly ambush by drug kingpin Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat), leaving David and Kulkarni dead. Srikant survives but soon becomes a suspect as investigators scrutinise how he was the only one aware of the convoy’s route.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, Suchitra faces her own crisis after the government bans 69 Chinese apps, including her platform ShrinkMe, sparking online targeting that impacts her family.

With an arrest warrant issued against him, Srikant chooses to escape with his family, setting off a tense chase as he tries to prove his innocence. Each twist raises new questions — who planned the ambush, and why is Srikant being framed?

Final reactions

While audiences largely appreciated the writing, performances and momentum, the widespread sentiment remains that the season’s final act lacked the closure fans expected. Many now hope the next instalment arrives sooner and concludes the arc that Season 3 left unresolved.