Dhurandhar arrives as a reminder of why audiences keep returning to action-packed cinema. The genre in the first place is full of swagger, scale and a protagonist who dominates every frame he steps into. It is not just about flying fists or thunderous background scores, it is about attitude and the thrill of watching one man take on an entire system.
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 Director: Lokesh KanagarajFew 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 Director: Prashanth NeelIf 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 Director: AtleeJawan 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 Director: Siddharth AnandSlick, 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 Director: Sandeep Reddy VangaPolarising, 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 Director: Lokesh KanagarajKaithi 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 Director: Rohit ShettySingham 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.