In many ways, the trailer for Dhurandhar 2 has been received with mixed reviews. The movie is one of the most hyped sequels to date and yet, the trailer doesn't carry itself as the fans hoped it did. Reviews have been done for the Toxic trailer, which was widely praised for its intensity and cinematic appeal. The debate has spread across social media, with fans expressing disappointment and excitement.
Almost immediately after the release of the trailer, fans started to criticize the tone and presentation. Many suggested that visuals and dialogues didn’t make the kind of impact you’d expect from a big pan-India release. Unlike Toxic which was praised for its gripping atmosphere and powerful delivery, Dhurandhar 2 felt “not up to the mark.” While some praised the emotion, some noted that the trailer did not cover the raw energy that the movie's first Dhurandhar brought forward. Others complained that the pacing and editing of the teaser seemed uneven, which resulted in audiences being less impressed than they would have liked.
In spite of the criticism, one line from the trailer caught the eye and turned out to have a lot of hype. The line was described as a “goosebumps moment,” resonating strongly with audiences who embraced such boldness in their response to all things "outspoken." Such powerful dialogues often become the defining feature of trailers, and this particular line has already begun circulating widely on social media. It shows that even within a trailer that faced criticism, there are moments capable of sparking enthusiasm and anticipation.
These comparisons with Toxic have been inevitable. Toxic's sharp visuals, its score, its characters, and its portrayal of them. By contrast, Dhurandhar 2 was viewed as weaker, even described by some as "flat" with regards to its execution. That’s not necessarily to say Dhurandhar 2 is guaranteed to fail, by any means. Trailers are only glimpses, and often movies open up full stories and actors surprise audiences with their story and performances. But the opening comparison has a high standard, and the filmmakers will need to provide a compelling story to convince doubters in their favor to turn their skepticism back on.
Social media have been inundated with comments, memes, and debates. Some fans were disappointed, others defended the trailer, adding that it shouldn’t be criticized too much before a film comes out. The hashtag #Dhurandhar2Trailer went live right next with #ToxicTrailer, evidence of the difference between the audience and audiences comparing the two films as closely as they can. Proponents of Dhurandhar 2 are going to be building on a complicated narrative and we should respect it for its sense of hope. But critics say trailers should make people excited, and that did not happen here.
Audiences today expect that trailers have to provide cinematic splendour as spectacle, emotional depth and memorable dialogues. Movies like Baahubali, KGF and RRR set new standards. Each of the big films they release will be judged against these criteria. For Dhurandhar 2, the problem is not just in performing as expected but in beating it. The film must carry the weight of its predecessor's success now and demonstrate it can compete with other blockbusters.
The trailer for Dhurandhar 2 has been a topic of discussion. While many fans pointed out that it was “not up to the mark” when placed against Toxic, some found bits of brilliance in this film, notably the line “Yeh naya Hindustan hai, ghar m guske marenge.” This kind of dialogue alone inspired excitement and reminded viewers of prospects for the film. The real question as the release date nears: whether Dhurandhar 2 will really produce a narrative impact and performances of such power as to mute the critics. Trailers may be controversial, but movies will win hearts with a full story.
