Global Critics Condemn Dhurandhar 2

International critics have panned the patriotic sequel “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” as the film divides audiences along political lines following its March 19, 2026 release.

Director Aditya Dhar’s follow-up to the commercially successful first installment has sparked intense debate between domestic viewers and international reviewers. The action-driven narrative, which follows Ranveer Singh’s character Hamza Ali Mazari through his rise in Pakistan’s ISI, has become a lightning rod for discussions about nationalism in cinema.

Domestic audiences have largely embraced the film’s patriotic themes, spectacular production values, and Singh’s performance. The sequel continues the franchise’s tradition of high-octane action sequences that proved popular with Indian viewers in the original film.

However, international critics have taken a markedly different stance, particularly regarding the film’s handling of violence and its political undertones. The New York Times critic Nicolas Rapold suggested that “Dhurandhar 2” intensifies problematic elements from the original, especially in its portrayal of violence connected to national and religious identities. His review argues that the film reflects and potentially inflames current geopolitical tensions rather than providing entertainment escapism.

Sarah Manvel of Movies We Texted About offered an even harsher assessment, describing the film as “overwhelmingly violent” to the point of diminishing audience engagement. She specifically called out failed attempts at humor that clash jarringly with the extreme brutality depicted throughout the narrative.

Perhaps the most pointed criticism came from IGN reviewer Siddhant Adlakha, who claimed the film sacrifices emotional depth and storytelling for explicit political messaging. Adlakha went as far as describing the work as “naked political propaganda” designed to influence voters, writing: “Perhaps the filmmakers could have had the decency to release a completed film, but decency is hardly on the table when the main purpose of Dhurandhar: The Revenge appears to be stoking a volatile voter block.”

The sequel’s narrative centers on Hamza Ali Mazari’s activities in Lyari, Pakistan, and his confrontations with terror groups allegedly responsible for attacks on Indian soil. This plotline touches on sensitive geopolitical issues between India and Pakistan, which may explain some of the polarized reactions.

The film’s reception reflects broader trends in contemporary Indian cinema, where nationalistic themes have become increasingly prominent in mainstream productions. Such films often perform well domestically while receiving more critical reception internationally, highlighting the growing divide between local audience preferences and global critical standards.

This divergence is quantified by the film’s current 38 percent rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, demonstrating the significant gap between the film’s commercial appeal and its critical reception.

The controversy surrounding “Dhurandhar 2” mirrors similar debates about other recent Indian films that blend action entertainment with nationalist themes. Industry analysts note that such films have become reliable box office performers domestically, despite—or perhaps because of—their controversial nature.

As the Indian film industry continues its push for global recognition, the stark contrast in how these politically-charged productions are received at home versus abroad raises questions about the evolving role of popular cinema in national discourse and international cultural exchange.

The film industry will be watching closely to see if “Dhurandhar 2” can translate its domestic enthusiasm into commercial success despite the international criticism, potentially setting the stage for how future films navigate the complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and national identity.