ranveer singh stars in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the second installment of a divisive spy thriller that arrives Thursday in theaters in the United States and India. Audiences are bracing for arguments over the film’s nationalist themes and its portrayal of Pakistan after the first instalment’s widespread popularity and controversy. The sequel follows a film that topped the Netflix chart for non-English films and became India’s highest-grossing film last year.
Ranveer Singh: role and return
ranveer singh returns as Hamza Ali Mazari, an Indian operative on a mission set in Karachi, the Pakistani port city and capital of Sindh province. The original Dhurandhar runs more than three and a half hours and drew praise for its star-studded cast, heart-pounding action sequences and soundtrack. The sequel arrives amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan and follows a film that, while immensely popular with audiences, drew official criticism from Pakistani authorities and the Sindh government.
Box office and backlash
The second installment, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, opens with strong presales in India and arrives in theaters internationally. The first Dhurandhar became India’s highest-grossing film last year and later topped streaming charts for non-English films. Pakistani officials criticized the original as Indian propaganda and the film was publicly banned there; the Sindh government has backed what it described as a rebuttal film, and called for a different portrayal of Lyari, saying, “Lyari stands for culture, peace, and resilience — not violence. “
Despite the ban, the film was widely pirated in Pakistan and continued to find audiences abroad, including in several Arab countries on streaming platforms. The original also drew criticism for weaving cinematic storytelling with real-life incidents, referencing events such as terrorist attacks on India’s Parliament and on Mumbai. Jyoti Deshpande, president of Mumbai-based Jio Studios and one of Dhurandhar’s producers, said, “When a story is inspired by real events and complex geopolitical realities, intent and responsibility must go hand in hand with cinematic ambition. ” She added, “Our approach was to present a more nuanced take on patriotism while at the same time remaining highly engaging through immersive storytelling that allowed viewers, regardless of geography, to be invested in the narrative. “
What’s next
With Dhurandhar: The Revenge now in theaters, audiences and officials are poised for renewed debate over its themes and impact. The Sindh government’s backing of a rebuttal film signals that official pushback will continue, and the sequel’s release is expected to extend conversations about national narratives and cinematic responsibility. Observers will watch box office results and public reactions closely as ranveer singh and the film face scrutiny on screens and in public discourse.
