Hello all, welcome to India Parent Magazine, a special episode on the movie Dhurandar, The Revenge. Is it a review? I am not so sure. These are my just insights and thoughts.
I hope you'll like them. Please let me know your views in your comments below. Hinduism, a civilization blind to repeated assaults against it and paralyzed by internal divisions, faces the risk of being overwhelmed time and again, its survival threatened not just by external forces but by its own inability to organize.
At first glance, the Dhurandar series achieves the nearly impossible, dramatizing the struggle with striking clarity and uniting Indians of all castes and creeds in a shared, vindictive celebration. The release of Dhurandar 2 was exalted as a festival by Indian communities across the globe. It was not merely a film's release but an event in its own right.
With Navratri, Ugadi and Gudi Padawa already underway, the film seamlessly blended into the festive atmosphere. I watched the film on its opening day, initially apprehensive about its 4-hour runtime but eager to review it. However, once it began, the length was hardly noticeable as the narrative sustained engagement throughout the film.
Notably, even after the end credits rolled, the audience remained seated as if reluctant to leave. There was a palpable sense of anticipation for more, a sentiment I shared, hoping for another installment of the spice saga to unfold without any further delay. Dhurandar 2 The Revenge is gorier, bloodier and less romantic than its predecessor and it unapologetically revels in themes many left-leaning critics dismiss, jingoism, nationalism, patriotism and revenge.
Yet, the film delivers the elements with striking confidence, avoiding shrill dialogue or heavy-handed preaching. The audience devoured it with unrestrained enthusiasm and the 4-hour runtime passes in the blink of an eye, holding viewers firmly in its grip. It knows exactly what it is and refuses to dilute.
The response has been explosive. In the United States, the film ranks third amongst mainstream releases during its opening weekend, earning $9.5 million across just 987 theaters compared with $9.1 million for the fourth-ranked film in 3,000 theaters. This is unprecedented in the USA.
In India, it is breaking box office records and emerging as one of the most significant commercial successes ever. Members of Generation Z across diverse ethnic groups have particularly embraced it, further cementing its cultural impact. While Dhurandhar 1 draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita 2.37, emphasizing duty and readiness for battle, Dhurandhar 2 The Revent reflects the philosophy of 2.47, focusing on performing one's duty on dharma, without attachment to the outcome.
The battlefield summons you. Be relentless in action, says Lord Krishna to Arjun. Ajay Sanyal Madhavan sends Jaskirar Singh as Hamza into the dangerous world of Pakistan, a dreaded land of terrorism, drugs and fake currency, to gather intel and, if possible, take revenge.
Preparation for battle and laying the foundation is what Dhurandhar 1 was all about, and in Dhurandhar 2, it's actually doing the duty, the dharma, without expecting any results. Young Jaskirar's personal fight was not with Pakistan. His fight is for his country and its safety.
Born into a family with three generations serving in the army, he was already being trained to fight for his country, India. Family disputes in Punjab lead to his father being killed and his sisters being raped. Filled with grief and anger, Jaskirar's first instinct is revenge.
Jailed for his actions, he comes under the vigilant eye of Ra head, Sanyal, and is recruited as a spy. Eager to perform his dharma for his country, Jaskirar sets out into an unknown and dangerous world, not knowing if he'll ever set his foot back in his homeland again. This is where the Gita comes in.
Rarely have I seen a film draw so directly from it as its source of beauty. Often associated with peace and the concept of Ahidhii Devo Bhava, treating guests as God, here Bhagavan Krishna's teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield are invoked to blend scripture with reality. The film calls for protecting your land, your civilizational rights, as your dharma, without expecting anything in return.
Have you ever seen the web series Homeland on Netflix? Starring Claire Danes as CIA officer Carrie Madison, the series explores the chaotic world of espionage and the extreme dedication she has for her country. Nothing, absolutely nothing comes between her and her duty. Not her child, her marriage, or even her own well-being.
At times, viewers feel frustrated, as I did many times, by her sacrifices, but ultimately they empathize with the feel and immense pride in her commitment to her country. Jaskirar's world is even scarier. His life in enemy territory is deadlier, darker, and often hopeless.
Yet, materially, he has everything, a beautiful wife, a child, wealth, and a powerful Pakistani politician as his father-in-law. After more than a decade as one of the most influential men in Pakistan, it would have been easy to continue living that life, isn't it? But it is his unwavering devotion to his country that drives him into a brutal, vengeful path, one that is deeply satisfying for the audience. Many Indians felt vindicated after decades of being portrayed as weak across history, films, and politics.
A movie that depicts revenge with such clarity and conviction, interwoven with real events, left audiences spellbound. Many had tears in their eyes. No one moved even after the end credits rolled, including me.
Many so-called leftists labelled it propaganda but failed to clearly point out where or how. Is it the depiction of fake currency networks routed through Uttar Pradesh? The corrupt politicians and bureaucrats within India who would sell their motherland for personal gain? Aren't these grounded in reality? Did Khanani, the fake currency kingpin, commit suicide after demonetization? Yes. Was the IC-814 hijacker killed in broad daylight? Yes.
Were there mysterious killing sprees in the past decade in Pakistan by unknown men? Yes, again. Did India strike Pakistan and hurt it financially in recent years? Yes. Demonetization disrupted major network of counterfeit currency originating from Pakistan.
The role of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, though not eliminated, has been significantly curtailed. The Indian public seems to be appreciating these changes so very much. Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar series blends fact with fiction brilliantly, with perfect casting, music, production design, and emotional depth leaving you wanting for more.
The opening scene when Jaiskirat searches for his abducted little sister, asking everyone where is my sister? Is emotionally overwhelming. I found myself moving from room to room with him, consciously hoping she was safe. My heart stopped along with Jaiskirat's when someone says she's in the pump room.
Pump room? What the heck is that? The terror in that moment is palpable. Ranveer’s anxiety becomes yours. You run with him, cry with him, and breathe relief with him.
There are many such moments. When Jaiskirat meets his best friend, now a terrorist and a drug dealer, it is both heartbreaking and chilling. It offers a glimpse into Punjab's terror and drug networks. The film is full of such shocking twists that genuinely surprises you.
The entry and semi-climax of Raj Jyotshi, set to Boney M's Rara Rasputin, is a masterstroke. Even in a tense moment, it brings an involuntary smile. Many my age would remember this song.
One of my favorite films used to be Meh Hoo Na, produced by Shahrukh Khan. I thoroughly enjoyed it back then without questioning anything. Shahrukh Khan looked so charming, Sushmita Sen looked beautiful and the idea of peace with Pakistan felt ideal. But now it feels troubling. The repeated portrayal of Hindus as masterminds of terrorism is unsettling, making an Indian army officer feel especially uncomfortable in retrospect.
One wonders how actual army personnel felt watching it at that time. That's what Aditya Dhar has done. He has changed how many of us view spy films.
It's now hard to watch another one without comparing it to the Dhurandar series. One thing is certain, Pakistan could never have achieved its goal of inflicting a thousand cuts on India without internal support. Various groups contributed to this over time.
The fact that this is now being countered and depicted effectively in the film explains the backlash from those who disagree. I am not sure whether there will ever be another spy thriller like Dhurandar, not even from Aditya Dhar himself. However, for now, the audience is responding super super enthusiastically.
There are so many pointers to implore in this film but hard to discuss without giving away the suspense. Grab a big bag of your favorite food and go enjoy it in the theatres. A request though, please don't reveal the film's suspenseful moments to those who haven't seen it yet.
1.408.254.0954
