Barkha Dutt Praises ‘Dhurandhar’, Calls It a Gripping Return to Grand-Scale Indian Cinema

Veteran journalist Barkha Dutt took to social media after watching Dhurandhar, calling it a “gripping watch and a masterfully made film.” In a detailed and enthusiastic post, she described the movie as a refreshing return to big-canvas Indian cinema—one designed unapologetically for the theatrical experience. According to Dutt, the film succeeds in reviving the larger-than-life storytelling that once defined mainstream cinema.

Highlighting performances as a major strength, Barkha Dutt singled out Akshaye Khanna and Rakesh Bedi for their knockout turns, while praising Ranveer Singh’s intense surrender to his undercover role. She also lauded Madhavan’s understated portrayal of Ajit Doval, Arjun Rampal’s menacing presence as an ISI operative, Sanjay Dutt’s commanding screen impact, and Gaurav Gera’s surprisingly soft and dramatic performance as a juice-seller asset. The ensemble cast, she noted, elevated the film into a riveting spy thriller.

Dutt was particularly impressed by the film’s production design, emphasizing the challenge of recreating Karachi almost entirely for an Indian production. From political rallies to bustling bazaars, she applauded the detailed set design that added authenticity and scale. The music, she said, emerged as a “big hero” of the film—blending remixed classics, techno rap, qawwalis, and foot-tapping tracks with clear viral potential for wedding playlists and beyond.

Addressing controversy head-on, Barkha Dutt firmly rejected claims that Dhurandhar is anti-Muslim. She clarified that the film critiques Pakistan’s patronage of terrorism, not Indian Muslims, calling any conflation of the two an insult to India’s own people. Notably, she mentioned watching the film alongside Muslim friends who enjoyed it just as much, reinforcing her point about the film’s intent and message.

While offering minor critiques—such as finding the romantic subplot overly sentimental and noting that the intercutting of real footage with fiction may prompt viewers to double-check timelines—Dutt stressed that Dhurandhar is a movie, not a documentary. Overall, she described it as “absolutely compelling, mazedaar, and riveting,” congratulating director Aditya Dhar and the entire team for delivering a bold, conversation-starting cinematic experience.