Dhurandhar (transl. Stalwart) is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language spy action thriller film written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar under the banners Jio Studios and B62 Studios, it stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, with Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik in supporting roles.[5][6] The film is inspired by the real-life incidents, geopolitical conflicts, and covert operations of India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing with local gangs and crime syndicates in the Lyari area of Karachi, Pakistan.[7] The first instalment of a two-part series was released on 5 December 2025; the second instalment titled Dhurandhar Part 2 will release on 19 March 2026.[8]
With a runtime of 214 minutes, it is one of the longest Indian films ever made.[1] It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise towards the performance of the ensemble cast, particularly that of Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, direction, cinematography, music and the film’s atmospheric world-building, while the lengthy runtime, uneven pacing, and occasional narrative inconsistencies were criticised.[9]
Plot
The film draws inspiration from real-life events involving geopolitical tensions and covert operations conducted by India’s R&AW, particularly those associated with Operation Lyari, a Pakistan government-led crackdown on gangs and criminal syndicates in the Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi, Pakistan.[7] Set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking in 1999 and the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the film follows India's Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, who crafts a daring and indomitable mission to infiltrate and dismantle a powerful terrorist network operating out of Pakistan. To execute this high-risk operation, Sanyal recruits an unlikely asset - a 20 year old boy from Punjab, held captive for committing a revenge-driven crime. Recognizing the boy's potential and raw intensity, Sanyal decides to mould him into a weapon capable of penetrating Karachi's ruthless underworld mafia.[10]
The Price of Peace
On 30 December 1999, Minister of External Affairs Devarat Kapoor and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Ajay Sanyal negotiate with terrorist Zahoor Mistry to release three terrorists including his brother and pay a ransom of $10 million USD in exchange for the lives of the passengers held captive in Kandahar. Chief of R&AW K. S. Bhullar rejects Sanyal's proposal to infiltrate terrorism in Pakistan. Following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, Kapoor chooses to work on Sanyal's Operation Dhurandhar.
Stranger in the Land of Shadows
Sanyal sends his agent, Hamza Ali Mazari, to Pakistan via Afghanistan. Hamza goes to Lyari, Karachi and meets Mohammed Aalam, a juice shop owner. He moves in, starts working as a waiter, and learns about Rehman Dakait and the other gangs. Since he is a Baloch, Hamza can only join Rehman Dakait's gang.
The Bastard King of Lyari
Hamza and Aalam receive information that rival Babu Dakait and his men, who are Pathans may shoot Rehman's eldest son, Naieem Baloch, at a wedding the next day. When Babu Dakait's men show up, they shoot Naieem. After driving them away, Hamza manages to save Faizal, Rehman's youngest son, but fails to save Naieem. When Uzair Baloch, Rehman's cousin, finds out about Hamza's firearm knowledge at the hospital, he introduces him to the gang. Ulfat Ulfat Baloch , Rehman's wife, enters, strikes Rehman across the face, and then pulls him into an embrace as she breaks down.A member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Jameel Jamali, arrives and warns Uzair not to do anything in haste as the elections are approaching. Upon spending time with Rehman's gang, Hamza learns of their illegal practice of manufacturing fake guns. On his advice, Rehman decides to exact revenge for Naieem's death. Babu Dakait's men are killed by Hamza, Uzair, and the gang, while Rehman brutally murders Babu Dakait by smashing his head with a weighing stone, and declares the start of the Baloch rule.
Bullets and Roses
Rehman arrives at a PPP rally held by Jameel. Hamza spots Yalina, Jameel's daughter at the demonstration. Rehman is introduced to Major Iqbal, an ISI Chief by the Khannani brothers, prominent businessmen who encourage him to enter politics. Iqbal requests Rehman to setup weapons and ammunition. During dealings, Hamza learns of Iqbal's torture of Indian spies and the Khannai and Iqbal's counterfeit Indian currency operation. Hamza signals Aalam, who informs Sanyal; the IB suspects Pakistan of having Indian currency plates. Hamza discovers plans for a major terror attack on India while transporting weapons. Despite warnings, the 26/11 attacks occur, devastating Hamza as he watches on TV.
The Jinn
Rehman Dakait's alliance with the Khannani's sidelines Jameel, who turns to former Superintendent of Police, Chaudhary Aslam, to eliminate Rehman. Chaudhary arrests and takes Rehman in custody while Hamza delivers weapons. Jameel and Gangster Arshad Pappu receives a video from Jameel’s daughter, revealing Jameel’s collusion with Chaudhary, while promising him Lyari. Jameel orders Rehman's release to Chaudhary , after being exposed but he declines. Hamza blackmails Chaudhary into releasing Rehman by torturing police officers in station after being exposed. Amidst the high-stakes geopolitics, Hamza begins a romantic relationship with Yalina.
The Devil's Guardian
Hamza is driven by Aslam to expose Pakistan's terror network, devastated by his inability to prevent the Mumbai attacks. He gains the suppourt of Jameel by ensuring him that if he rules lyari and marries Yalina it will ensure Jameel has a relative that rules Lyari. Covertly, Hamza strikes a deal with Jameel and Aslam to eliminate Rehman. He marries Yalina and further betrays Rehman, luring him to Aslam.
The Butterfly Effect
Following a violent altercation between Hamza and Rehman's Man , Chaudhary Aslam and Rehman, Hamza and Chaudhary unite to eliminate Rehman. Upon taking him down, Hamza then takes Rehman to a hospital in a auto where he succumbs, depicting Hamza as a hero who “tried to save him.” Hamza's actual involvement in Rehman's killing remains unknown to Uzair Baloch and his men.
Et Tu Brutus
Hamza's real identity is revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian death-row inmate trained as a covert agent. Moreover, Ajay reveals that Mission Dhurandhar is India’s first such espionage operation. After eliminating Rehman, Jaskirat plans to target "Bade Sahab," the mastermind behind several terrorist attacks, teasing a second part.
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