Director: Aditya DharActors: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye KhannaRating: 2 stars Aditya Dhar’s directed Dhurandhar. The latter is supposedly an operation by Indian intelligence that’s literally a one-man mission, set in the Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi, Pakistan. The former debuted with Uri (2019), a pure actioner, posing as the untold classified story of Indian Army’s retaliation to the terrorist attack on a brigade headquarters in Jammu & Kashmir, 2016. It’d appear Dhar’s core competence lies in some sorta super serious access to state agencies that supply him unlimited info on events — seemingly unknown to politicians, bureaucrats, think tanks, journalists combined — to script stories behind India’s biggest undercover moves, suitably chapterised. Such was the case with Uri, shot in Siberia. As with Article 370, written-produced by Dhar. Likewise, Dhurandhar. Which, though, opens with immense promise for one of the most powerful underworld dramas, witnessed in Hindi movies, for the longest. Treat this, foremost, as ‘Satya of Karachi’, if you may, veering toward Sarkar, on occasion, exhilaratingly dealing with empowered dons of another maximum city, right across the Arabian Sea, from Mumbai. As it is, those who’ve been to Mumbai and Karachi find enough similarities between both, including its 1990s like chaotic underworld (Mutthahida Quami Movement; MQM), its messy links with politicians (Pakistan People’s Party; PPP), their ganglords getting elevated in organised crime, and hit-men roaming the streets, equally dodging ‘encounter specialists’. For a book recco, consider Anatol Lieven’s Pakistan: A Hard Country (2011). To be fair, Satya was written, directed by filmmakers, who were themselves new to Mumbai. Fairer still to suggest, Dhurandhar has been performed, written, directed by those who haven’t ever stepped a foot in Karachi, and perhaps never will. So, never mind this dust-bowl for a city that, by and large, seems wholly bereft of a single modern building, and looks mostly bombed-out, between multiple ghettos. But that’s roughly how the West shows the brown Third World in actioners with a certain sepia tone (check: Extraction, set in Dhaka, Bangladesh). Clichés like Roohafza for prop, or Ghulam Ali for background music, is all about that you’ll get to seep into the setting! Karachi = corny. Zero in on the key characters, instead. They’re indeed based on well-known blokes of the Lyari underworld. Top result on Google should show you that. And that’s what, first, got me hugely engaging with this drama. That is, matching real-life men to this mob opera. Whether that be the famously shifty Karachi cop, known for extrajudicial killings, ‘Chaudhary Aslam Khan’ (Sanjay Dutt). Or the cousin in the crime syndicate, ‘Uzbair Baloch’, who will eventually rise up the ranks to rule. Indeed, even the MQM politician, i.e. the adorable comedian, Rakesh Bedi, looking more like Tikku Talsania, who’s the Bhau-type fella from Satya! But more so, you can’t take your eyes off Rahman Dakait. As in Akshaye Khanna, the lean mean machine, letting his quiet, laconic expressions, as usual, steal the damn show. He’s making a happy habit of bringing gravitas to mania on the mainstream screen. Take him as Aurangzeb in Chhaava (2025). Take him out of it. The whole movie is simply a bunch of warriors screeching their lungs out. Watch him here, even as he suddenly shrieks on the mic, in the brilliantly executed mass-rally sequence, where Rahman Dakait is publicly endorsed by PPP. You just wanna watch him more, and more. With just enough subtlety, and some confidence in the written material, Dhurandhar had the makings of a sufficiently desi Godfather! But this isn’t an underworld drama. Those guys I’m referring to appear more like contextless villains in a completely blood-and-gore orgy, to do with an Indian hero, who’s infiltrated the Baloch mob. This hero lands without any personal backstory, whatsoever, except that he’s been planted by the top Intelligence Bureau mandarin, the wonderfully cast R Madhavan, as an Ajit Doval like figure, and personally approved by the Indian Prime Minister. That’s the long-haired, heavy-hitter Ranveer Singh, as Rambo, more like El Mariachi/Antonio Banderas, in a curry western, causing mayhem as he goes along, surrounded by Kalashnikovs, two-door Datsuns, dragging blokes through the streets, breaking knuckles, killing men by the minute… This Indian dude is a desperado, not very different from any other spy of the James Bond mould, where the stakes are phenomenally high, and the man, in service of the state, will win all. If this looks like some kinda jingoist propaganda; well, all spy thrillers, by their very nature/genre, are. That’s not the issue, if it ever was. The issue is if you’re more interested in the villains than the hero of the bloody piece as he’s gaslighting a 19-year-old girl, while, apparently, in love with her. And that he sits in a room with everyone, from the local mafia to the ISI, handholding 26/11 attackers from live TV, in Karachi. The screen turns red. You hear the actual recorded conversations between these handlers and terrorists from Hotel Taj. The next scene is Ranveer as Hamza with a dialogue about Ghayal and Ghatak, as if reprising Sunny Deol. Tiger-type spy universes make no claim to documentary truths. You see them for what they are. It’s hard when to take this film seriously, and how to let it simply go — as characters turn into caricatures, and morning slip into late afternoon, with Dhurandhar going on for way over three and half hours. And it’s still to be continued, when it finally ends! As it is, I’ve lost count of the number of films with a lone Indian spy in the midst of Pak establishment, lately. Some, at best, hit the board, but miss the mark, say, Saare Jahan Se Accha (2025), Netflix series, that this film should’ve been. At least one, Raazi (2018), pierced the bull’s eye. This one’s eyeing footfalls like Pushpa 2! Look at the kinda money they’ve spent on making it. But I would’ve spent the exact same amount of money, watching something less muddled, more sorted too; no?
05 December,2025 10:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharDeepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh dominated social media on Friday after Deepika published an emotional review of Ranveer's most recent film, Dhurandhar. The film, which premiered to mainly good audience reviews, is already gaining traction at the box office, and Deepika's passionate support has fueled the buzz. Soon after witnessing the film, the star turned to Instagram Stories to leave a loving message for her spouse. “Dhurandhar has been watched and is worth every minute of those 3.36 hours. So do yourself a favour and get to the cinema hall now!” she wrote. Deepika further praised Ranveer, she added, “So incredibly proud of you, Ranveer Singh,” followed by a kiss emoji. She also thanked the entire cast and crew at their film's premiere. Box office collection of Dhurandhar Dhurandhar began with a lacklustre start at the box office, releasing over 5000 screens with advance bookings of barely over Rs 9 crore. However, word of mouth swiftly changed the tide. Morning shows had less than 16 percent occupancy, but by afternoon, viewership had risen to more than 28 percent as positive feedback flowed in. According to Sacnilk, the film had received Rs 17.44 crore net in India by 6 pm, considerably enhancing its prospects of reaching Rs 20 crore by the end of the day. Trade analysts projected a Day 1 total of Rs 15-18 crore, but the film's late-day rise exceeded forecasts. All about Dhurandhar As mid-day reviews Dhurandhar, "As a spy drama, Dhurandhar attempts to stay raw and grounded, avoiding the glamorous tone of other popular spy universes in Bollywood. However, this realistic approach falters at times, especially during a climactic face-off between Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt." In conclusion, it's too early to call Dhurandhar an excellent or awful film because the plot isn't finished yet. Part 1 finally gains up pace near the finish, but most of the story will be revealed in Part 2, which opens in theatres on March 19, 2026. With the number of bullets fired in this film, if the characters had better aim, we might have been able to combine both portions with a more concise screenplay. Unfortunately, the film and this review will reach their full conclusion only in March 2026! Dhurandhar boasts an impressive ensemble cast, anchored by Ranveer Singh. Akshaye Khanna gives a gripping performance as the calculating Rehman, bringing a sense of restraint and menace to the screen. This great star cast, helmed by Aditya Dhar, includes Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhan.
05 December,2025 08:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAryan Khan, who recently made his directorial debut this year, has once again found himself in legal trouble after a Bengaluru-based lawyer filed a police complaint seeking the registration of an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan's son. The complaint claimed that Aryan made an obscene gesture (flashing the middle finger) during a public appearance. The incident reportedly occurred on November 28 at a promotional event held at a city pub. Complaint filed against Aryan Khan Advocate Owaiz Hussain S, a resident of Sankey Road, has submitted a complaint to the DG&IGP, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, the DCP (Central Division), the Inspector of Cubbon Park Police Station, and the Karnataka State Women’s Commission. In his complaint. Owaiz alleged that several women were present at the venue and Aryan's act “insulted their modesty,” invoking provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Actor #ShahRukhKhan’s son #AryanKhan recently visited #Bengaluru. He had come to the city for a private event but ended up causing controversy.Fans had gathered at a pub to see him, and during this time, he showed his middle finger in public.A video of the incident has gone… pic.twitter.com/HfRIgrLapK — Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) December 4, 2025 He also accused Shah Rukh Khan's son of causing “public discomfort, embarrassment and emotional distress,” while adding that the incident portrays Bengaluru in a poor light as a “safe and dignified public environment.” According to Hakay Akshay Machhindra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division), Bengaluru has launched a suo motu investigation based on social media posts as well as the CCTV evidence from the pub premises. The investigation is currently being conducted under Section 173 B of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Aryan Khan's viral video The video that went viral on the internet shows the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan entering a Bengaluru pub along with Kannada actor Zaid Khan, son of Minister for Housing and Waqf Zameer Ahmad Khan, and Congress leader Mohammad Nalpad, son of senior Congress MLA N.A. Haris. Aryan Khan is seen waving cheerfully at the crowd for some time, when he allegedly showed his middle finger to the onlookers. As the video went viral on social media, the alleged rude behaviour of the son of a Bollywood superstar has triggered widespread discussion. As per the police sources, the incident occurred on November 28 at a popular pub located within the Ashoknagar police station limits in Bengaluru. Despite the Bengaluru Police Commissionerate having a dedicated unit to monitor objectionable viral videos, the incident was ignored until the media reported it. In cases involving ordinary citizens, police usually track down the source of such videos or identify the individuals seen in them, ensure the content is removed, and take appropriate action depending on the severity of the incident. Aryan Khan was in Bengaluru for an event to promote his brand. He met fans and actors Zaid Khan and Dhanya Ramkumar. Another video of Aryan Khan had also gone viral. It showed him stepping out on a balcony at the venue and greeting the fans who were present there with a wave. (With inputs from IANS)
05 December,2025 08:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe vice-captain of India's women’s team, Smriti Mandhana, has shared her first post on social media after her wedding with music composer Palaash Muchhal was postponed about two weeks ago. The wedding has been the talk of the town after experiencing many roadblocks. While her fans were excited to see her back on social media, many of them noticed that her engagement ring was missing. Fans point out missing engagement ring in Smriti Mandhana’s new post Smriti shared a paid partnership post on Instagram, marking her first after postponing her wedding to Palaash. In the clip, the World Cup winner is seen speaking about her career. Fans were relieved by the fact that she looked happy and fine amid the wedding fiasco. However, some eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that her engagement ring was clearly missing from her finger. Many even wondered when the video was even shot. One fan commented, “Why it feels like she is sad ,she is smiling but her voice and her eyes looks she is sad and she is not wearing her engagement ring.” Another user said, “The smile is back (evil eye, puppy eyes and heart emojis) (and the ring is gone).” Some fans speculated that the video could’ve been shot before her wedding. One of the fans noted, “Look at her hands, there’s no mehendi colour on them, which means this was before the engagement," while another said, "Are ye shadi k pahle hi shoot hua h i think proposal k pahle bhi jab ye mumbai me hi thi (This could’ve been shot before he even proposed).” Smriti Mandhana and Palaash Muchhal wedding postponed On the day of the wedding, that is November 23, Smriti’s father, Srinivas, was reportedly hospitalised in Sangli after experiencing heart-attack-like symptoms. A few hours later, Palash also reportedly fell ill and was admitted to the hospital the next day. Palaash was then brought to Mumbai for his treatment, where doctors said it was stress-related distress. Amid these reports emerged claims that Palaash cheated on Smriti on the night before the wedding. Later, Smriti removed all wedding-related posts from her social media, which further sparked speculations.
05 December,2025 08:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeeru, a beloved figure in Hindi cinema, and the iconic Jailor from 'Sholay' will reunite in the next film 'Ikkis'. Bringing nostalgia to the screen, late veterans Dharmendra and Asrani, who co-created magic in the 1975 cult film, return to share the frame in this eagerly anticipated movie. A sweet scene from a recent promo of Ikkis has melted hearts all over social media. Dharmendra is seen uttering his lines, "Aaj bhi ji karda hai, pind apne nu jaanwa," which immediately evoked nostalgia among fans. As the screen widens, Asrani emerges beside him, having a loving chuckle with the adored star, who died on November 24th, aged 89. All about Asrani's demise Veteran actor Asrani died at the age of 84 in October of this year. His manager and close friend disclosed that he died of a chest illness at 3 p.m. on October 20. His death was formally announced via a post on the actor's verified Instagram account. The statement read: "The news of the death of the king of comedy, the great actor Asrani ji, who ruled millions of hearts, has plunged us all into deep sorrow." He gave Indian cinema a new identity with his distinct acting, simplicity, and humour. He brought each character to life, and his legacy will live on in our memories forever. His passing is not just a loss for the film industry, but for everyone who ever smiled at his acting. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shaanti." Ikkis is a war drama that follows the life of Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Sriram Raghavan directs the film, which stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia in important roles. It depicts Khetarpal's brave trek during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict and is scheduled for release on December 25, 2025. Dharmendra also appears in the film as Arun Khetarpal's father, providing emotional depth to the patriotic story. Ramesh Sippy on his favourite scenes from Sholay Earlier, while speaking exclusively to mid-day, Ramesh Sippy had shared his favourite memories of Sholay, "Very difficult to choose, I'm afraid. Dharamji on the tanki for Hemaji or Amitji with Mausi and even Asrani as jailer. There are many such moments in the film. Yes, what people would not like to see is Amitji passing away. They were very hurt by that."
05 December,2025 07:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan has been shooting extensively for her upcoming crime drama Daayra, directed by Meghna Gulzar. A source close to the production revealed, “Kareena has been shooting extensively for Daayra, travelling across interiors with Meghna." On December 4, Kareena posted a photo on social media, saying that Meghna Gulzar has been taking her from Khalapur to Bhiwandi to Virar, and she seemed quite thrilled about the journey. "It’s been a very hectic shoot for the team, moving from one location to another, but the energy on set has been incredible. It takes long hours to travel to far flung places of Mumbai, but Kareena is enjoying every ride as she is getting to see the real Mumbai," the source added. About Daayra Directed by Meghna Gulzar and jointly produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, the film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran. Set against the complex world of crime and justice, Daayra positions its lead pair in roles that harness their full dramatic prowess. Prithviraj steps into the shoes of a police inspector, while Kareena embodies a fierce, enigmatic character whose presence adds a striking edge to the narrative. The film is shaping up to be a gripping crime drama thriller, delving into themes of crime, punishment, and justice. With Meghna’s nuanced storytelling and Prithviraj’s strong screen presence, the film promises intense performances and a compelling narrative. The film officially commenced shooting on Thursday, September 25. Kareena speaks about Daayra Earlier this year, Kareena had spoken about the film, saying: “As I celebrate 25 incredible years in Hindi cinema, I'm thrilled to announce my next film, Daayra, with the incredible Meghna Gulzar in the director’s chair. I've long admired her work, from Talvar to Raazi, and to be directed by her is a dream come true.” She added that the opportunity to collaborate with the talented Prithviraj Sukumaran is also a highlight: “And I'm drawn to the film's bold, thought-provoking narrative. Daayra promises to be a cinematic experience that challenges and inspires, and I look forward to working with Meghna, Prithviraj, and the team at Junglee Pictures on this powerful, timely film.” Kareena had first announced Daayra in September 2025, describing her collaboration with Meghna and Prithviraj as a “dream team.”
05 December,2025 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh returns to the big screen after over two years with Dhurandhar, playing a spy named Hamza. His character is sent to infiltrate Pakistani gangs, destroy terrorism at its core, and relay intelligence to India about future attacks. Ranveer delivers a nuanced performance, exposing both the strength and vulnerabilities of a spy. Dhurandhar ending With a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes, Aditya Dhar’s directorial stumbles with its pace. However, the climax becomes gripping as Ranveer’s character completes his first major mission by eliminating Rahman Dakkait, played by Akshaye Khanna. Operation Dhurandhar is based on Operation Lyari, which was initiated following the Kandahar hijack and the Parliament attack in the early 2000s. Throughout the film, Ranveer as Hamza gains Rahman Dakkait’s trust and eventually becomes his right hand. However, he later collaborates with Sanjay Dutt’s SP Choudhary Aslam and Rakesh Bedi’s Jamil to eliminate Rahman. They corner him in an isolated area outside the city and kill him after an intense action sequence. Ranveer then takes Rahman to the hospital, pretending to attempt to save him in order to gain public sympathy. Before carrying out this plan, he confides in his partner Yaalina (Sara Arjun) about his ambition to rule Karachi, saying that eliminating Rahman is only his first step. After Rahman is declared dead, a bloodstained Hamza returns home to Yaalina and breaks down in front of her. He begs her for food, and she feeds him as he cries inconsolably, reflecting the turmoil within. Later that night, as Yaalina sleeps, Hamza wakes up and opens his secret diary—given to him by another Indian spy, played by Gaurav Gera. He uses invisible ink to reveal hidden text on one of the pages. It reads “Rahman Dakkait.” He strikes out the name, indicating his mission is complete. He then flips to the next page and drops liquid to reveal more text. The page contains several high-profile names, including ISI’s Major Iqbal. It’s hinted that they are his next targets, and he must eliminate them one by one. This narrative will unfold in Part 2, releasing March 19, 2026. Who is Hamza? Hamza is assigned by the Indian government to infiltrate Pakistani terror outfits and uncover their secrets. He is part of a mission called Operation Dhurandhar. The film opens with the conclusion of the Kandahar hijack negotiation. R. Madhavan plays the Intelligence Bureau chief, his look clearly inspired by former National Security Advisor and spymaster Ajit Doval. Disappointed with the negotiation’s outcome, he proposes a long-term plan to prevent such incidents. His suggestion is ignored—until the 2001 Parliament attack forces the government to take action, leading to the inception of Operation Dhurandhar (known as Operation Lyari in real life). Ranveer Singh plays the spy sent to Pakistan. He takes on the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari, though little is revealed about his real past apart from his unwavering dedication to his country. His mission is to infiltrate gangster networks and send intelligence back to India to prevent major attacks. However, he fails to stop 26/11 despite warning India about an attack initially planned for early October 2008. The Mumbai terror attack leaves him traumatized and strengthens his resolve to dismantle terror groups in Pakistan. Madhavan’s character also explains how spies are chosen: they are often individuals serving life sentences, awaiting the death penalty, or people with no purpose left in life. Dhurandhar 2 release date The release date for Dhurandhar 2 has finally been announced. The second instalment of Ranveer Singh’s action thriller will hit theatres on March 19, 2026. Viewers won’t have to wait long to see the story continue, and the makers have already built strong buzz with twists, revelations, and high-tension moments.
05 December,2025 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh’s Dhurandhar has finally hit the screens amid a series of controversies. The most talked-about among them was Major Mohit Sharma's parents claiming that the film took inspiration from their son, despite the director Aditya Dhar's denial. The court and CBFC also ruled out the possibility of the film taking inspiration. Amid this, now actor Rakesh Bedi made a fresh statement about its inspiration. Rakesh Bedi says Dhurandhar is inspired by Major Mohit Sharma Speaking to ITV Blink, Rakesh Bedi stated that while the movie is not based on the life of Major Mohit Sharma, it does take inspiration from his journey. Bedi said, “Every film has a mother film. Sholay’s mother film was Seven Samurai… or Five Man Army. Kahin na kahin se toh koi bhi film inspire hoti hai. Har cheez kahin na kahin se inspire hoti hai, lekin uska matlab yeh nahi ki uske upar bani hai yeh film. (Every film is inspired by something or the else. Everything is inspired, but that does not mean it is based on it)" He further said, “I salute Mohit Sharma for what he did, but definitely… it may be inspired from there, but it’s not based on it. Lekin main iss baare mein bolne wala kaun hoon – meri authority nahi hai (But I am no one to speak about it, I don't have the authority). But I know this much: every story is inspired by somewhere. There’s a good saying that nothing is ‘new under the sun’. Nothing is completely new." Talking about his character in the film, Bedi said it is loosely inspired by a real Pakistani politician. He shared, “In fact, the character I play adjusts himself within Pakistan. I’ve seen him in their Senate, their Parliament, when Nawaz Sharif or Bhutto is giving a speech, this man is sitting behind them. I studied his mannerisms on YouTube quite minutely. Even my appearance resembles his a bit. But that doesn’t mean the character is based on him; it may simply be inspired by him." Dhurandhar controversy For the unversed, the parents of the late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, had moved the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate stay on the release of the film. In their petition, the parents alleged that Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar was based on the life, undercover missions, and his martyrdom, without permission from the family or the Indian Army. The family sought protection for their son’s legacy. However, the film’s director clarified that the spy thriller is fictional and not based on the Major’s life. The CBFC also cleared the film, saying it wasn't inspired by Sharma's life.
05 December,2025 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDhurandhar makes a smashing entry at the box office today. The film unveils the marvel of numerous TV actors making a strong mark in the film. Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun starrer brings a story from the brutal terror attacks in India in the span of 2000 to 2009. Without further reviewing the film, here's a look at the TV celebs we spotted in the film. Gaurav Gera Gaurav Gera plays an impactful role being an Indian spy who was named Aalam in Pakistan, who blends in with the daily routine of Lyari town. Gaurav becomes the support system for Ranveer Singh in Karachi. Gaurav's role brings a fresh perspective to the spies who devote their whole life to the country, just by living with a different identity. Gaurav not only conceals Ranveer's identity effortlessly but also helps him send intel back to India in the film. The actor has a juice and cold drinks shop which plays the disguise for transferring intel. Rakesh Bedi Rakesh Bedi adds a flair to his character, Jameel Jamali, the crude and corrupt politician who uses his power to change the political dynamics in his favour. The actor brings a humorous touch to his role with his hilarious slang and one-liners. Rakesh plays a pivotal role in setting the strong narrative for Ranveer Singh's character Hamza as he emerges assassin to Rehman Dakait for the throne. Saumya Tandon Saumya Tandon plays the character of Ulfat, Rehman Dakait's wife. The actress makes a strong entry in the film with her dominating presence next to Akshaye Khanna. From a strong wife to a fierce mother, Saumya nails the character; however, the actress has limited screentime to show her acting prowess in the film. Manav Gohil Manav Gohil is set to leave the fans stunned to see him in the film. The actor plays a pivotal role in the film as a strategist in R Madhavan's team. Though the character is small, but adds a lead to the storyline with the information that joins different chains of events throughout the film. Ayesha Khan Ayesha Khan gives a special appearance in the film for the item number Sharaarat, which is shot as a celebration performance in Hamza and Yaalina's wedding. The actress adds an element of glam amid the bloody motive of the grand wedding in the film. Krystle Dsouza Krystle Dsouza drops the glam quotient in the item number of Dhurandhar, Sharaarat. The actress paired with Ayesha Khan leaves the fans dancing to the tunes. Azinkya Mishra Azinkya Mishra plays the character of Faizal Baloch, Rehman Dakait's younger son. The actor manages to add the innocence amid the bloodshed in the film with his presence.
05 December,2025 04:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal have been one of Bollywood's most adored couples, who never miss a chance to woo the audience and fans with their chemistry. Their playful Instagram posts and off-camera bond continue to grow stronger by the day. Although their relationship looks all things rosy on social media, in a recent interaction, Sonakshi revealed that their relationship too faced a turbulent phase, wherein they resorted to couples therapy. Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal took couples therapy During a candid conversation with Soha Ali Khan on her podcast, Sonakshi Sinha opened up about steering through a particularly difficult phase with her now-husband Zaheer, which ultimately led them to couples therapy. Reflecting on their early years of courtship, Sonakshi admitted that their relationship hit a rough patch around the three-year mark. She humorously described this phase as their “three-year itch." “Just when we were three years into the relationship, we had a phase where we just wanted to pull each other’s hair out," she shared. “No matter what we did, we just couldn’t understand each other’s perspective," she shared. Despite the frustration and differences, she said that the couple knew they wanted to fight for the relationship. That’s when Zaheer suggested couples therapy, and Sonakshi embraced the decision instantly. She shared, “I was open to it, and after two sessions, we were back on track. It helped so much to understand what the other person thinks, and that what they say is not necessarily what they mean." Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha During the same podcast, Sonakshi also opened up about how she was the first to say “I love you" within just a week of dating. She added how Zaheer laughed, assuming she was joking or simply moving too fast. For the unversed, the couple had earlier shared that Sonakshi and Zaheer’s first meeting was at a party hosted by Salman Khan. They started interacting casually, which then bloomed into a close friendship and eventually, love. They kept their relationship away from public scrutiny for several years. After about seven years of dating, they finally made it official. They tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Mumbai in June 2024, in the presence of their intimate family and close friends. The private wedding was followed by a star-studded celebration.
05 December,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSpy dramas have become a favourite genre in Bollywood, and Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, is the newest addition to a lineup that already includes the YRF spy franchise, The Family Man, and Raazi. However, Dhurandhar brings in a different tonality to the Bollywood spy universe—if we may call it that. Dhurandhar plot The film opens with the conclusion of the Kandhara hijack negotiation. R. Madhavan plays the IB (Intelligence Bureau) chief, with his look clearly inspired by former National Security Advisor and spymaster Ajit Doval. Disappointed with the outcome of the negotiation, his character proposes a long-term plan to prevent such situations in the future. His suggestion goes unheard—until the 2001 Parliament attack. It’s only then that his superiors pay attention, leading to the inception of Operation Dhurandhar (named Operation Lyari in real). Ranveer Singh, obviously, plays the spy sent to Pakistan. He assumes the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari, though not much is revealed about his real background apart from his deep-rooted dedication to his country. His mission is to infiltrate local gangster networks and send intelligence back home to prevent large-scale attacks. However, 26/11 is an event he fails to prevent, despite alerting India about an attack initially planned for the first week of October 2008. The Mumbai terror attack leaves him deeply disturbed and fuels his renewed determination to dismantle the core of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure. Film weighed down by runtime? Now, let’s talk about the length. The film’s runtime was a major talking point even before release. At 3 hours and 34 minutes, Dhurandhar is one of Bollywood’s longest films in 17 years and its story doesn’t even conclude in Part 1. The film is divided into 10 chapters, like a novel, each titled to reflect the mood. Dhurandhar Part 1 focuses on events from 2000 to 2009. The narrative takes its own sweet time to reach its conclusion which is Ranveer taking down his first major target. But the journey often feels taxing because of its excessive length. The first half mostly follows Ranveer as he earns his place in Rahman Dikkait’s (Akshaye Khanna) gang. The audience also gets a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s internal politics, which becomes increasingly important as the film progresses. While world-building is essential, the film could definitely have been trimmed to make the screenplay tighter. Music The Dhurandhar title track was one of its biggest pre-release USPs. The remixed version with HanumanKind’s vocals had created quite a buzz. However, the track is severely underused in the film, even in moments where it could have elevated the narrative. Composer Shashwat Sachdev does a good job reimagining old classics, but the utilisation of the songs is questionable and often hampers a scene instead of enhancing it. Real vs fiction As a spy drama, Dhurandhar attempts to stay raw and grounded, avoiding the glamorous tone of other popular spy universes in Bollywood. However, this realistic approach falters at times especially during a climactic face-off between Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt, which feels oddly amateur. Credit must be given to director-writer Aditya Dhar for his research and for blending real historic moments with fiction. He doesn’t dilute the challenges and vulnerabilities of a spy. One particularly powerful scene shows Ranveer’s character tearing up while eating a meal on a busy street in Pakistan. In another restrained yet impactful moment, he learns about the Mumbai terror attacks and watches his countrymen suffer while being surrounded by Pakistanis celebrating the news. His later emotional breakdown, consumed by guilt, is one of the film’s strongest sequences. What doesn’t feel realistic, however, is the VFX used in violent scenes. The film relies heavily on violence and gore to evoke emotion, but the poor CGI often ends up unintentionally funny rather than chilling. Performances Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Rakesh Bedi lift the film above its uneven pace with their solid performances. However, even their sincerity and screen presence can’t fully sustain engagement through a 3-hour-and-34-minute runtime. Conclusion It’s too soon to judge Dhurandhar as a good or bad film, simply because the story isn’t complete yet. Part 1 finally picks up pace towards the end, but much of the narrative will only unfold in Part 2, releasing in theatres on March 19, 2026. With the number of bullets fired in this film, if the characters had better aim we might have gotten both parts together with a tighter screenplay. Alas, the film, and this review, will get their true conclusion only in March 2026!
05 December,2025 03:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarADVERTISEMENT
