Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar, one of 2025’s biggest box-office hits, is gearing up for its digital debut on Netflix starting January 30. The film, which grossed an estimated ₹1,325.64 crore worldwide, has captivated audiences with its high-stakes narrative of undercover operations and Indo-Pak tensions.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, known for Uri: The Surgical Strike, Dhurandhar (translating to ‘Stalwart’) is a Hindi-language spy action thriller produced under Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The story follows India’s Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan) who orchestrates a daring mission post the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and 2001 Parliament attack. He recruits a young Punjabi man, Jaskirat Singh Rangi (Ranveer Singh), to infiltrate Karachi’s notorious Lyari underworld, led by gangster Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), to dismantle a terrorist network tied to the ISI. The plot weaves espionage, gang wars, and revenge, drawing from real events while sparking debates over its portrayal of Pakistan.
Ranveer Singh delivers a brooding performance as the undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari, transforming from a captive youth into a ruthless operative. Akshaye Khanna’s chilling Rehman Dakait has been hailed for its menace, with Sanjay Dutt as a shadowy figure, Arjun Rampal as an enforcer, and supporting roles by Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi adding depth. The 212-minute film features intense action sequences, patriotic themes, and a soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev.
Released theatrically on December 5, 2025, Dhurandhar shattered records, earning over ₹829 crore in India alone. Netflix acquired digital rights for a reported ₹130 crore, marking a landmark deal. The OTT premiere comes amid buzz for the sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, teased recently.
Critics praise its realism and performances but note its chest-thumping nationalism and length. In Pakistan, it has divided opinions over historical depictions. For fans who missed the cinema run, January 30 offers a home-viewing thrill.
Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst based in Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015 he has covered theatrical collections and the business of film, with reporting that spans day wise box office figures, weekend performance, and wider release trends across India and the United States.
