Dhurandhar Part 2 – Review
Part 1
Just came back from Part 2. Like the first installment, the film is again on the longer side. While the individual scenes feel slightly faster in pacing compared to Part 1, the overall impact does not land as effectively. There is a significant amount of action and violence, but much of it doesn’t carry the same weight or memorability, which makes parts of the film feel repetitive over time.
The one section that stands out is the opening chapter. Jaskirat’s introduction fight along with the flashback portion works well and aligns closely with the tone and quality established in Part 1. It feels controlled, engaging, and purposeful. However, beyond this point, the film struggles to maintain the same consistency. The shift in treatment is noticeable, and the remainder of the narrative does not quite reach the same level of engagement.
On the subject of narrative choices, certain elements feel more pronounced here compared to Part 1. The demonetization racket subplot, for instance, does not come across as naturally integrated into the story. It feels somewhat forced and less convincing in its execution, which affects how seamlessly it blends with the rest of the film.
In terms of character writing, there are a few areas that feel underutilized. Arjun Rampal’s father’s character does not add much to the overall narrative and could have been cut. The antagonist track also feels less impactful by the end when compared to the presence and build-up seen in Part 1. Uzair Baloch, who had a stronger presence earlier, is also not used meaningfully in this installment, which feels like a missed opportunity.
The portrayal of Dawood is another aspect that stands out, though not in a particularly effective way. The depiction of him being physically weak while still appearing to control larger operations like the ISI does not come across as very convincing. It creates a disconnect that makes the character harder to take seriously within the context of the film.
Ranveer Singh delivers well in the flashback portions, where his look and performance are more aligned with the setting. In the rest of the film, however, the characterization feels less consistent with the grounded approach seen in Part 1. The film leans more into stylized masala presentation, with increased use of slow motion and larger-than-life sequences. Even moments designed to be impactful, such as the recreated walk sequences, do not have the same effect. In comparison, Akshaye Khanna’s walk in Part 1 with “FA9LA” remains more memorable than the rehashed “DiDi” sequence used here. Ranveer’s overall look, particularly his long hair, also feels a bit excessive and distracting. A more restrained approach might have worked better. Overall, Ranveer is likely to receive strong recognition for this performance, including National award.
As in Part 1, the leading lady does not come across as an entirely convincing match opposite Ranveer Singh, especially in the context of portraying a mother to a young child. The casting feels slightly mismatched in terms of age and pair. Additionally, her character follows a familiar pattern of Spy Universe where she is aware of the protagonist’s identity yet continues to assist and protect him. This aspect feels somewhat predictable and should have been avoided, coming from Dhar.
Aditya Dhar, who demonstrated strong world-building and detailing in Part 1, appears less consistent in control here. While the scale of the film is larger, the narrative execution does not feel as tight or cohesive. The storytelling does not progress in a way that adds significant new layers, and at times the film feels stretched without enough added substance.
Another area where Part 2 falls short is the background score and music integration. The score does not leave a strong impression, and the songs do not always align effectively with the sequences they accompany. In Part 1, the use of background music and older tracks felt more thoughtfully integrated, contributing to the overall mood and continuity. Here, the execution feels more rushed, and the absence of recurring musical themes from Part 1 affects continuity. This results in a less cohesive audio-visual experience.
Some portions in the middle are more engaging, such as the Pinda’s sequence. The montage of rival eliminations also recalls stylized sequences seen in films like Satya and Company, though the impact is somewhat uneven. Additionally, the way timelines are presented, including references to events like Major Iqbal’s death in 2011, demonetization in 2016, and the Atiq Ahmed incident in 2023, feels rearranged in a way that serves the narrative structure rather than following a strict chronological flow.
Overall, Part 2 does have its moments, particularly in the opening stretch, Interval portion and moments in the end but it does not maintain the same consistency throughout. While the scale and ambition are larger, the overall execution feels less tight compared to Part 1. The grounded storytelling and controlled presentation that worked well earlier are not as prominent here, which affects the overall impact of the film.
The film does provide some closure towards the end, which makes it a worthwhile watch, and it is likely to succeed for that reason alone.
