Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, is currently dominating the box office but it’s also at the centre of a growing debate. While theatres are packed and fans are loving the high-octane experience, a section of international critics has raised concerns over the film’s intense violence.

Several overseas reviews have pointed out that the film leans heavily into brutal action, sometimes at the cost of emotional depth. The New York Times noted that the sequel may further desensitise viewers, calling it “a movie of the current moment, which isn’t exactly a comfort.” Another publication, Movies We Texted For, went as far as saying that the constant violence makes the film exhausting to watch, with audiences “wincing and covering their eyes.”

Culture Mix echoed similar sentiments, stating that while the film starts off engaging, it eventually becomes “exploitative violence” aimed more at shock value than storytelling. The review also questioned the film’s undertones, suggesting that its portrayal of nationalism feels excessive rather than impactful.

Despite this criticism, the response in India has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have embraced the film’s scale, action, and dramatic storytelling. For many, Dhurandhar 2 delivers exactly what it promises—a larger-than-life cinematic experience powered by Ranveer Singh’s intense performance.

The numbers back this up. The film currently holds an impressive 8.7 rating on IMDb and a strong 9.5 score on BookMyShow based on massive audience participation. However, its Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 45%, reflecting the divide between global critics and general audiences.

What makes the situation even more interesting is the film’s unstoppable box office run. In just six days, Dhurandhar 2 has crossed ₹900 crore worldwide, already surpassing the lifetime collection of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. It is now inching closer to beating its own prequel and could even challenge the massive benchmark set by Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2.

also read: Ameesha Patel lauds Aditya Dhar for not casting Instagram influencers in Dhurandhar 2

In the end, Dhurandhar 2 is a classic example of a film that thrives despite criticism. While debates around its content continue, audiences are clearly voting with their wallets—turning it into one of the biggest successes of the year.