Masterpiece or Propaganda? Here is What Top Critics Are Saying About ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’
Mumbai, March 20, 2026 — Aditya Dhar’s highly anticipated sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, has finally hit the big screens, and it is already making tidal waves at the box office. Clocking in at a massive 3 hours and 49 minutes, the film brings back Ranveer Singh as the lethal undercover Indian agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi (operating as Hamza Ali Mazari) as he violently climbs the ranks of Pakistan’s Lyari underworld.
While audiences are flocking to theaters, the critical consensus is a fascinating split. Trade analysts are hailing it as a monumental cinematic achievement, while several editorial critics are raising eyebrows at the film’s extreme violence and overt political messaging.
Here is what the top movie journalists and critics had to say, along with their star ratings:
Taran Adarsh (Trade Analyst)
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh was blown away by the sequel, officially declaring it an “EPIC BLOCKBUSTER.” Adarsh praised director Aditya Dhar for not just meeting the sky-high expectations set by the first film, but surpassing them. He called the film a “MASTERPIECE” that delivers on scale, drama, and action, specifically highlighting Ranveer Singh’s performance as “the backbone, soul, and lifeline” of the movie, and easily the best of his career.
Sumit Kadel (Film Trade Analyst)
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars Echoing the massive box-office enthusiasm, Sumit Kadel described the film as a “game-changing, industry-shaking phenomenon.” According to Kadel, despite the daunting nearly four-hour runtime, the screenplay moves at lightning speed, ensuring there isn’t a single dull moment. He placed the spy thriller among the top 10 films in Indian cinema history, praising the deep emotional dive into the protagonist’s backstory.
Trisha Gaur (Koimoi)
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars Trisha Gaur gave the film a glowing review, noting that while the film is bound to be labeled as “pro-government propaganda” by some, it still forces you to cheer. She praised Ranveer Singh’s infectious energy and the phenomenal action set-pieces. Gaur also noted that despite the absence of Akshaye Khanna’s beloved villain from the first part, actors Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt step up brilliantly to fill the void.
Renuka Vyavahare (The Times of India)
Rating: 3.0 / 5 Stars Taking a more measured approach, Vyavahare called the film a “relentless action extravaganza teetering on excess.” While she commended the riveting, fast-paced first half and Ranveer’s ability to play a broken man turned ruthless killing machine, she criticized the second half for drifting. Vyavahare pointed out that unlike the restrained power of the first film, the sequel is “one-dimensional,” shedding its subtlety to become an “ambitious mouthpiece” for political agendas.
The Hindu (Editorial Review)
Rating: Unrated / Mixed Representing the critical pushback, The Hindu reviewed the film as a “loud, violent spectacle that forgets to breathe.” The publication criticized the sequel for indulging in gratuitous violence and commodifying national grief into mass entertainment. While acknowledging Ranveer Singh’s “leonine performance” that anchors the film, the review ultimately concluded that the movie is a “deafening cocktail of patriotism and propaganda” that leaves little space for human reflection.
The Verdict: If you are looking for high-octane, adrenaline-pumping action and what is being called Ranveer Singh’s greatest performance, Dhurandhar 2 is a must-watch in theaters. However, viewers should be prepared for its grueling length and heavy-handed political undertones.