MOVIE DESK: ‘Dhurandhar’ Becomes Longest Bollywood Film in 17 Years
Aditya Dhar’s latest venture, Dhurandhar, clocks in at a staggering 214 minutes, or just over three and a half hours, making it Bollywood’s longest release in 17 years.
This epic stretch follows in the footsteps of 2008’s Jodhaa Akbar, which ran 213 minutes, and edges out Pushpa 2: The Rule’s recent 201-minute haul.
In an era where directors like Christopher Nolan inspire sprawling narratives, such lengths test audience stamina but promise immersive worlds.
Censorship Flags Intensity
The Central Board of Film Certification handed Dhurandhar an adults-only rating on December 2, citing graphic violence that demands 18-plus viewership.
To secure approval, makers toned down brutal sequences, swapped a minister’s name for subtlety, and muted profanity, while tacking on anti-drug notices and extended credits.
These tweaks preserve the film’s raw edge without diluting its high-stakes thrills.
Plot Weaves Real Shadows
Set against the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and 2001 Parliament assault, the story tracks Intelligence Bureau head Ajay Sanyal, played by R. Madhavan, as he recruits a vengeful young convict from Punjab, embodied by Ranveer Singh.
Fresh from a life sentence, Singh’s character dives into a covert op to dismantle a Karachi-based terror syndicate, facing moral quagmires and mafia strongholds.
It’s a tale of redemption forged in fire, blending espionage grit with personal reckonings.
Stellar Ensemble Powers Ahead
Ranveer Singh leads as the tormented operative, flanked by heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt as a no-nonsense cop inspired by Pakistan’s Chaudhry Aslam Khan, Akshaye Khanna channeling gangster Rehman Dakait, and Arjun Rampal as ISI agent Major Iqbal, echoing Ilyas Kashmiri.
Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi round out the supporting cast, adding layers to this Jio Studios-B62 production that Dhar co-wrote and co-helmed.
Controversy Clears Legal Hurdles
Whispers linked Singh’s role to late Para SF officer Major Mohit Sharma, whose family petitioned Delhi High Court on November 28 for a release stay, demanding a private screening and Army nod.
The court tasked CBFC with a re-review, which swiftly ruled no ties exist, deeming the film pure fiction. Dhar echoed this on social media, vowing any future Sharma biopic would honor family wishes.
From Teaser to Theater Rush
Announced in July 2024, shooting spanned Mumbai’s factories, Thailand’s stand-in sets, and Ladakh’s heights, though an August food poisoning scare sidelined over 100 crew.
Ranveer’s portions wrapped in October, with the audio launch buzzing on December 1.
Buzz now swirls around a potential sequel, eyeing a 2026 drop, as fans weigh if this behemoth delivers payoff worthy of the popcorn haul.
Legacy in the Lens
Dhurandhar arrives as Bollywood flirts with franchise epics, risking runtime backlash for deeper dives into heroism’s toll.
Will it redefine patience at the multiplex or echo past indulgences? With December 5 dawning, screens across India hold their breath for answers.