'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' First Half Review; Ranveer Singh movie stays immersive, turns more violent

After months of anticipation, 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' finally arrives in theatres, picking up right where its predecessor left off. During the first half, the story travels from the blood-soaked streets of Pakistan's Lyari to the rustic heartlands of Punjab and back again, as Aditya Dhar expands his vision on a far grander scale. This sequel embraces a far more brutal and visceral tone, presenting a world that is even bloodier and more unforgiving than before.

Yet beneath the violence, Dhar ensures the film eventually finds its emotional core—though it takes some time to surface. The first half remains firmly rooted in the aftermath of Rahman’s (Akshay Khanna) death, exploring its ripple effects while simultaneously delving into Hamza’s (Ranveer Singh) past. Through this, the narrative offers insight into Hamza's Indian origins and the circumstances that ultimately led him down the path of becoming an Indian spy.

The songs by Shashwat Sachdev remain captivating, beautifully capturing the essence of the film, while the cinematography truly stands out.

If' Dhurandhar' was accused by a section of the media of pandering to right-wing sentiments, the second part leans in more overtly, even attempting to foreground the current government’s political narrative.

Overall, despite its nearly four-hour runtime, the film remains immersive, though it is noticeably more graphic and gory.