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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 37

DHURANDHAR ROARS:

A Cinematic Benchmark Rewriting

Bollywood’s Playbook

From packed theatres to industry-wide applause, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is being

hailed as a game-changer for Hindi cinema.

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
hen Dhurandhar: The Revenge finally hit
theatres on March 19 after months of fe-
Wverish anticipation, it wasn’t just another
big-ticket Bollywood release—it was a moment that
seems to have redefined audience expectations and
industry standards alike. Directed by Aditya Dhar and
headlined by Ranveer Singh, the sequel to last year’s
blockbuster has emerged as both a commercial jugger-
naut and a cultural talking point, drawing praise from
fans, critics, and film personalities across the board.
The early numbers tell part of the story. With-
in its first day, the film reportedly crossed Rs 100
crore worldwide, underlining the massive draw of
the franchise. But beyond the box office, it is the
near-unanimous acclaim that has truly set the film (File photo)
apart. From Bhopal to Lucknow to New Delhi, au-
diences walking out of theatres have spoken in glow- Playing a layered anti-hero, Ranveer Singh brings depth and vulnerability to a genre often dominated by larger-than-life portrayals
ing terms about the film’s immersive storytelling,
layered performances, and technical finesse. long and occasionally tested their patience, these nist who “bleeds and feels pain.”
Agrima, a viewer from Bhopal, summed up a voices remain in the minority amid an otherwise At the heart of this transformation is Ranveer
sentiment echoed across cities. “Action and fight- overwhelmingly positive response. Singh’s performance, widely regarded as one of
ing scenes are really good. Ranveer Singh’s acting What has elevated Dhurandhar: The Revenge the finest of his career. Playing a layered anti-he-
is fantastic… The suspense buildup is really good… beyond just a successful sequel is the chorus of ro, Singh brings depth and vulnerability to a genre
Detailing in the film is really good,” she said. For praise from within the film industry itself. Actor often dominated by larger-than-life portrayals. His
many, the film’s ability to balance spectacle with Preity Zinta described the film as a “mindblowing” ability to anchor a nearly four-hour film without los-
substance has been its biggest strength. experience, applauding every department from di- ing audience engagement has been repeatedly high-
In Lucknow, viewers highlighted the film’s han- rection and acting to music and editing. “Ranveer lighted as a key factor in its success.
dling of terrorism as both engaging and meaningful. Singh, you have my heart. What a stunning perfor- The supporting cast—including R. Madha-
One moviegoer described it as “very good on the mance. What range, what depth, what sincerity,” van, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and
subject of terrorism,” adding that the sequel works she wrote, capturing the emotional impact of the Rakesh Bedi—has also drawn praise for adding
in a “positive way” and even surpasses the original. lead actor’s portrayal. texture and balance to the narrative. Industry voices
That comparison is significant, given that the first Superstar Mahesh Babu went even further, have noted that the film’s strength lies not just in its
instalment had already set a high bar as one of the calling the film a “standing ovation-worthy expe- lead but in the cohesion of its ensemble and techni-
biggest hits of its time. rience.” He praised Dhar’s vision as “remarkable” cal departments.
The nearly four-hour runtime—clocking in at and singled out not just Singh’s performance but In many ways, the success of Dhurandhar: The
three hours and 55 minutes—has been one of the also the contributions of R. Madhavan and compos- Revenge marks a turning point for Hindi cinema. It
film’s most debated aspects. Yet, for a large section er Shashwat Sachdev. His endorsement reflects a demonstrates that audiences are willing to embrace
of viewers, the pacing appears to have neutralised rare cross-industry admiration that underscores the longer runtimes, complex narratives, and restrained
concerns about length. A fan in New Delhi, dressed film’s wide appeal. action—provided the storytelling remains compelling.
in a Dhurandhar-themed T-shirt, called the experi- Meanwhile, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma of- It also highlights a growing appetite for authenticity
ence “amazing” and insisted the duration never felt fered perhaps the most provocative take, dubbing over formula, suggesting that the future of Bollywood
excessive. “Not even for a second did it feel like a the sequel a “cinematic disruptor.” Known for his may lie in breaking away from its own conventions.
4-hour movie,” he said, adding that he planned to candid opinions, Varma argued that the film sig- As theatres continue to fill and conversations
watch it again the very next day. nals a decisive shift away from formula-driven Bol- around the film intensify, one thing is clear: Dhu-
Such repeat-viewing intent is often the hall- lywood spectacles. According to him, the film dis- randhar is no longer just a franchise—it is a bench-
mark of a film that resonates deeply with audiences. mantles the long-standing trope of invincible heroes, mark. And in setting that benchmark, it may well
While a few viewers admitted that the runtime felt replacing it with a psychologically complex protago- have changed the rules of the game for Hindi films.

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