Bollywood film Dhurandhar has finally been released in Indian cinemas after a long delay, bringing a high-intensity thriller built around hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack and covert military operations.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film features Ranveer Singh in the lead, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun in key roles.

The story draws on real events, geopolitical tensions and the Indian Army’s secret missions.

According to India Today, press screenings scheduled for December 4 in Delhi and Mumbai were cancelled due to technical issues.

Deepika Padukone, in a post on December 4, wished her husband Ranveer Singh success, sharing a promotional message on social media ahead of the release.

Following the release, Akshaye Khanna’s performance has drawn praise online. One viewer wrote on X: “After the interval, Akshaye Khanna is outstanding.”

Sara Arjun, daughter of actor Raj Arjun, stars opposite Ranveer Singh in a romantic role. She began her acting career at a young age and has already appeared in several commercials and films.

Dhurandhar carries an “A” certificate and runs for 3 hours and 34 minutes, the longest duration for a Bollywood film in 17 years. It is also Ranveer Singh’s first “A”-rated release.

The plot revolves around a mission launched by Ajay Sambhal, then chief of India’s Intelligence Bureau, following the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack.

The mission aims to dismantle terrorist networks allegedly operating in Pakistan. The film is expected to be released in two parts, adding to audience anticipation.

Early shows saw modest footfall, but moviegoers praised Ranveer Singh’s role. Viewers also said the film’s controversies did not influence their decision to watch it.

Director Aditya Dhar’s wife, actor Yami Gautam, also expressed support for the film on its release day, sharing best wishes for the team on social media.