New Delhi: Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar continues to dominate conversations across the film industry and among audiences, weeks after its theatrical release. From Ranveer Singh’s intense portrayal of an Indian spy operating in hostile territory to Akshaye Khanna’s much-discussed turn as a cold and calculating antagonist, the film has firmly established itself as one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. Now, adding further weight to the discourse, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has shared a detailed and candid review of the film on Letterboxd, offering both praise and pointed criticism.
Set largely in Pakistan, Dhurandhar delves into the murky world of espionage, exploring themes of patriotism, personal sacrifice and the psychological toll faced by intelligence operatives. The film combines high-octane action with emotional storytelling, portraying the lives of spies who operate in the shadows, often at great personal cost. Since its release on December 5, the film has attracted packed theatres and strong word-of-mouth, eventually crossing the coveted Rs 1,000 crore mark at the global box office.
Anurag Kashyap weighs in
Anurag Kashyap, known for his outspoken views and uncompromising cinematic sensibilities, took to Letterboxd to pen his thoughts on Dhurandhar. In his review, Kashyap said the core emotional and ideological premise of the film works effectively.
“A spy cannot be a spy if he doesn’t have hate and angst against the enemy state. A soldier also cannot be a soldier if he doesn’t have angst against the enemy state. On those two counts I have no issues,” he wrote, acknowledging that such emotions are intrinsic to stories centred on national security and warfare.
However, Kashyap also highlighted two moments in the film that he found problematic. One involves a line delivered by R Madhavan’s character, Ajay Sanyal — “Ek din aisa ayega jab jo desh ke baare mein koi sochega” — and the other is the closing dialogue spoken by Ranveer Singh’s character: “Ye naya India hai.” According to Kashyap, these lines felt overtly ideological.
‘Propaganda dialogues’, but not a deal-breaker
While describing the lines as “propaganda dialogues”, Kashyap clarified that they did not significantly diminish his overall appreciation of the film. He noted that setting aside these moments allowed him to fully engage with the filmmaking.
“If you love The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty or House of Dynamite, they are Oscar-winning propaganda films about the USA. I ignored the two propaganda dialogues and loved the filmmaking and stubbornness of the filmmaker,” he wrote, drawing parallels between Dhurandhar and celebrated Hollywood war and espionage films that have also been accused of promoting nationalistic narratives.
Kashyap’s comparison places Dhurandhar in a global cinematic context, suggesting that strong national viewpoints are not unique to Indian cinema but are a recurring feature in films dealing with state power and conflict worldwide.
Praise for performances and direction
Among the cast, Ranveer Singh received special praise from Kashyap, who called the actor’s performance his personal favourite in the film. Singh’s portrayal of a conflicted yet fiercely committed spy has been widely appreciated by audiences, with many calling it one of the strongest performances of his career.
Kashyap also spoke warmly about director Aditya Dhar, with whom he shares a long professional acquaintance. “I have known Aditya Dhar since his National Award-winning film Boond. It’s his politics. Genuine politics. Agree or disagree with it. Man is honest. Not an opportunist like others,” he wrote, defending Dhar’s ideological stance even while acknowledging that not everyone may agree with it.
This endorsement from Kashyap, a filmmaker often positioned at the opposite end of mainstream cinema, has been seen as particularly significant, underscoring the respect Dhar commands within the industry.
Box office success and future plans
Beyond critical discussions, Dhurandhar has been an undeniable commercial juggernaut. According to trade estimates, the film has grossed over Rs 1,000 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. Its success has reaffirmed the audience appetite for large-scale spy thrillers with a strong emotional core.
The makers have already confirmed that a sequel is in the works, with a planned release date of March 19. The announcement has further fuelled excitement among fans, who are eager to see how the story of Ranveer Singh’s character evolves and whether the sequel will expand the film’s geopolitical canvas.
Conclusion
Anurag Kashyap’s nuanced review of Dhurandhar captures the broader conversation surrounding the film — one that balances artistic execution, political messaging and audience appeal. While he flags certain ideological lines as unnecessary, his overall endorsement of the filmmaking, performances and directorial conviction adds to the film’s credibility. As Dhurandhar continues its successful run and gears up for a sequel, it stands as a defining example of contemporary Indian mainstream cinema — bold, polarising and undeniably impactful.