A gripping tale of love and betrayal within a world of violence

Movie review: Dhurandar 

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and Sanjay Dutt

Director: Aditya Dhar

Rating: 8/10 

COMBINING fiction and fact as related to Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks in India, director Aditya Dhar makes a long but gripping film of political intrigues, passionate patriotism and humanity amid extreme violence.

Dhurandar is a project of the Indian intelligence services to take a criminal with no family links from prison and train him to become a killing machine while pretending to be a Pakistani to infiltrate the gangs there. We only learn this though in the closing minutes of the film as we get glimpses of what is to come in the sequel due in the first quarter of next year.

This task falls upon Jaskirat Singh Rangli, played by Ranveer Singh, as he becomes Humza Ali Mazari in order to join one of the two gangs in the town of Lyari. He is superb as he rises to become the trusted aide of gang boss Rehman 'Dakait' Baloch (Akshaye Khanna), displaying little weakness until he falls in love with Yalina (Sara Arjun), the feisty daughter of political leader Jameel Jamaali (Rakesh Bedi).

Veteran Bedi, known for his comic roles in the past, is a real scene-stealer here as the wheeling and dealing politician who changes allegiances and friendships in his ambitious plans. Khanna is also amazing in his role as a cruel gangster with an emotional side for his family, while Sanjay Dutt, playing policeman Chaudary Aslam, gives of his best as well.

The ensemble cast of veterans assembled by Dhar leaves no dull moment in the film despite its almost 3.5 hour running time as the nexus between gangsters, politicians and police unfolds. Be aware though that the film has some extremely violent scenes similar to that of Animal last year. In India it received an 18 age restriction. 

Fakir Hassen is a veteran Bollywood critic who has written three books on the subject.

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