Why Ranveer Singh's performance in Dhurandhar is a masterclass on calculated restraint!

While audiences are losing their minds over Akshaye Khanna’s commanding, ‘aura-farming’ presence as Rahman Dakait, the quieter triumph belongs to Singh, who yet again proved that he can carry an entire film on his subtlety and not just fireworks. 

We were first introduced to this acting powerhouse in YRF’s Band Baajaa Baraat, 15 years ago, and he’s been stealing hearts ever since. Ranveer Singh was so convincing as the over-confident, carefree Delhi ka launda Bittoo Sharma that, until his TV interviews surfaced, I, and I’m sure many like me, were dead sure that the Mumbai-based actor actually belonged to the capital city! Such was his debut that it put his chameleon-like ability to blend completely into a character on full display, and there’s been no looking back. With a string of commercial and critical success, already under his belt, Singh had long established himself as both - a superstar, and a serious actor, yet with his latest release, Dhurandhar, he has outdone even himself, delivering a career-defining performance as the intense Indian spy, Humza Ali Mazhari. 

Whatever your opinions or reservations regarding the film, there’s no denying that Singh’s portrayal of the undercover agent Humza in Aditya Dhar's spy thriller comes across as a masterclass in calculated restraint. For an actor whose career is defined by explosive energy and flamboyance, it was refreshing to see him subdue his image and surrender to the unsettling stillness the character demanded. Humza isn’t written as your typical action Bollywood hero, but as a spy who wants to infiltrate the very core of the enemy country’s terror nexus and extract crucial intel to neutralise terror attacks on our home soil. 

Also Read: Dhurandhar movie review: Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna anchor an exhaustingly long yet intense espionage thriller

While audiences are losing their minds over Akshaye Khanna’s commanding, ‘aura-farming’ presence as Rahman Dakait, the quieter triumph belongs to Singh, who yet again proved that he can carry an entire film on his restraint and not just fireworks. What stood out for me was his embodiment of Humza’s soul-crushing patience while he was melting into the lanes of Lyari. He is shown pouring juice for locals, cleaning the humble shop he works at, waiting at events, and sustaining on meagre means. He swallows insults, forces smiles and submits to the demands of the situations while keeping his pulse steady and eyes hungry for the right moment! You can almost feel the weight of every wasted afternoon, his desperation for some progress and a feeling of suffocation under layers of his fake accent, a new life and the constant fear that one wrong breath might blow years of sacrifice into dust. Singh’s control ensures that Hamza remains a believable spy, who understands his effectiveness is directly proportional to the success of this mission.

While the fangirl in me couldn’t stop going gaga over his action, his long hair, heavy beard and bulky physique clad in Pathani suits, I'm also in awe of how Singh conveyed the character's internal turmoils primarily through his eyes. On an assignment where Humza’s very existence is a lie, his gaze is the only truth visible to the audience and, mind you, it is effective. He rarely utters a word, but his breathing, subtle change of expressions and body language embody his emotional turmoil along with quiet plotting, situation mapping and mental note-taking skillfully, without taking an iota of effort. 

Hence, with Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh delivers a performance that reeks of refinement and his range as an actor, proving that a character’s subtlety can be as effective as a spectacle!

Have you watched the film yet? Tell your thoughts in the comments below!

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