What Dhurandhar taps into is a particular brand of Indian action storytelling. It is rooted in mass appeal yet polished for contemporary sensibilities. It thrives on power dynamics, heightened masculinity and the idea of justice being served. If you found yourself hooked by its energy, mood or its unapologetic bravado, chances are you are drawn to action films that go beyond spectacle and offer a larger-than-life experience.
Here are 10 action films that echo the spirit of Dhurandhar. How, you ask? Through scale, intensity, character arcs or sheer adrenaline and deserve a spot on your watchlist.
1. Vikram (2022)
Language: Tamil
Few modern Indian action films have managed to create as much cultural impact as Vikram. What starts off as a seemingly restrained investigation soon explodes into a full-blown action saga. It involves covert operations, drug cartels and morally complex men operating in the shadows. Kamal Haasan’s return to hardcore action strikes the right chords. And the film’s layered narrative adds heft to every punch thrown.
Much like Dhurandhar, Vikram understands its power. Its protagonist isn’t loud by default. His menace lies in silence, strategy and controlled violence. The film’s world-building and interconnected characters also elevate it from a standalone actioner to an event film.
2. KGF: Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 (2018 – 2022)
Language: Kannada
If Dhurandhar thrives on dominance, KGF practically writes the rulebook for it. Rocky’s (Yash) rise from the streets to becoming an untouchable force is drenched in style and operatic violence. Every frame feels engineered to amplify power. The movie is filled with slow-motion walks, booming dialogues and a background score that is all about dominance and authority.
The KGF films are mythological more than realistic. Like Dhurandhar, they understand that mass action cinema is as much about emotion and aspiration as it is about fists and guns.
3. Jawan (2023)
Language: Hindi
Jawan is spectacle-driven action cinema at its most unapologetic. Shah Rukh Khan’s double role allows the film to explore two shades of heroism, one rooted in discipline and the other in rebellion. Atlee brings in vigilante justice, emotional backstories and larger social commentary into a film that is both massy and message-oriented.
One can say that Jawan is more theatrical than Dhurandhar. But both films rely on the magnetic presence of their lead and the idea of one man standing tall against systemic corruption.
4. War (2019)
Language: Hindi
Slick, glossy and relentless, War represents the modern Bollywood action blockbuster. Moreover, it is filmed in globe-trotting locations and the stylised combat, alongside the star-powered face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff add to the film’s enigmatic presence. If you haven’t watched War, it can be defined as a film that prioritises scale and precision.
Like Dhurandhar, War thrives on the image of the invincible man. He is trained, calculated and physically superior. It is less about chaos and more about choreography. Interestingly, it is ideal for viewers who enjoy controlled and high-stakes action.
5. Animal (2023)
Language: Hindi
Polarising, sure. Yet undeniably impactful. Animal pushes action cinema into deeply uncomfortable territory. Violence here isn’t heroic. It is emotional, obsessive and destructive. Ranbir Kapoor’s character is driven by unresolved trauma and twisted loyalty. The emotional angle makes the action sequences feel personal rather than performative.
If Dhurandhar appealed to you because of its intensity and moral greyness, Animal takes that discomfort several notches higher. The point isn’t just physical dominance, it is an action film that combines psychological expression into the mix, too.
6. Kaithi (2019)
Language: Tamil
Kaithi is a masterclass in grounded action. It is set largely over one night. The film follows a man forced into violence. It is not by ambition, but circumstance. The action is brutal, immediate and driven by survival instincts.
Like Dhurandhar, Kaithi understands pacing. The tension never dips and every action beat feels necessary. It is proof that powerful action doesn’t need excess. All it needs is intent.
7. Singham (2011)
Language: Hindi
Singham redefined the masala cop film. Ajay Devgn’s upright and fearlessly moral police officer became an icon of righteous aggression. The film’s action sequences are loud, exaggerated and unapologetically crowd-pleasing. Massy, in all its forms.
Dhurandhar has moral ambiguity but Singham stands firmly on the side of black-and-white justice. Yet both films celebrate the fantasy of authority exercised without fear.
8. Badlapur (2015)
Language: Hindi
Badlapur is action cinema with a slow burn. Revenge unfolds over years and violence arrives only when emotions have fully fermented. Varun Dhawan sheds his conventional romcom hero image to play a man hollowed out by loss.
Why does it work as an action film at par with Dhurandhar? If the Ranveer Singh starrer pulled you in with its character-driven aggression, Badlapur offers a quieter and more unsettling exploration of the same impulse. It inculcates what happens when anger becomes a way of life.
9. Saaho (2019)
Language: Telugu/Hindi
Saaho is maximalist action. Massive sets, elaborate stunts and a labyrinthine plot packed with twists, that’s the film for you in a nutshell. While its narrative divides audiences, there is no denying its ambition and scale.
Much like Dhurandhar, Saaho is designed as a star vehicle. The action is less intimate and more operatic. It is meant to overwhelm rather than become familiar. It is a visual feast for those who enjoy big screen bravado.
10. Shootout at Wadala (2013)
Language: Hindi
Firstly, it is based on real-life events. Shootout at Wadala blends gritty underworld action with stylised violence. John Abraham’s portrayal of Manya Surve is explosive, impulsive and tragically doomed.
If Dhurandhar fascinated you with its portrayal of power and consequence, Shootout at Wadala offers a cautionary counterpart. Here, dominance comes at a devastating cost.
Why These Films Work for Dhurandhar Fans
What connects these films isn’t just action, it is also the characters, cinematography and more. Each protagonist commands the screen, whether through silence, fury or sheer physicality. They exist in worlds where rules bend, systems fail and justice is often personal.
Dhurandhar sits comfortably in this lineage of Indian action cinema that understands one core truth. Audiences don’t just want to see fights, they want to feel power, rebellion and witness justice. These films deliver that in different flavours, namely in stylised, grounded, emotional or explosive forms.
If Dhurandhar left you craving more adrenaline, moral complexity and unapologetic masculinity, this list is your perfect next stop.
Also Read: Dhurandhar 2’s makers announce massive five-language pan-India release
