Shashi Tharoor dropped a bomb on his YouTube channel, calling Dhurandhar's second instalment a mixed bag. He praised the star‑studded cast and the director's flair, but didn’t shy from ranting about the blood‑soaked scenes that, in his view, went overboard.
‘Totally excessive and over the top’ was the shorthand he used for the film’s gore. Tharoor noted that the movie’s relentless mayhem—spit‑splattering fights, brutal stabbings, and the kind of visceral shock that makes you want to gag—felt more like a shock‑value exercise than a necessary plot device.
Politics also got a front‑row seat in his review. He warned that the film’s take on India‑Pakistan relations had already earned bans in Pakistan and several Gulf states. Tharoor mused that while some jokes might tickle Pakistani viewers, other lines could spark uncomfortable introspection about past deeds done in the name of their nation.
When it came to the spy world, Tharoor took a backseat, saying the movie’s cloak‑and‑dagger vibe didn’t match his own experiences with intelligence officers. He described real‑life meetings as “civilised” and “information‑driven” rather than explosive missions in far‑off capitals.
That said, the critic didn’t leave Dhurandhar entirely in the dust. He lauded the lush production design, the sheer scale of the sets, and the ensemble’s performances, especially Ranveer Singh’s swagger. He called the film ‘vividly made’ and joked that an eight‑hour watch felt like a personal cinematic marathon.
With the sequel already in theatres, the conversation is only heating up. Tharoor’s critique may force audiences to re‑examine the fine line between entertainment and propaganda, while the film’s visual spectacle keeps the buzz alive.