‘Dhurandhar’ Sparks Controversy in Pakistan: Viewers Debate Accuracy and Cultural Representation

The recently released Bollywood film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has made waves not only in India but also in Pakistan. Social media reactions from Pakistani viewers have been divided, with some praising the film while others criticized it for alleged inaccuracies.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is a spy-action thriller based on the notorious gang wars of Lyari, Karachi. Since its release on December 5, the film has ignited debates on social media about historical accuracy, cultural representation, and the depiction of the Lyari underworld.

Mixed Reactions Among Pakistani Audiences

Some Pakistani viewers appreciated the film’s storytelling, action sequences, and music. Content creator Bilal Hasan (@mystapaki) posted on Instagram: “The film is very, very well made. The action, music, and Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the Lyari gangster Rahman Dakait are commendable. There is no propaganda here. This was Pakistan’s own internal matter.”

Bilal also shared a personal connection, saying, “I grew up witnessing the Lyari gang wars. The house of Chaudhry Aslam was right in front of my school. Pakistani film and TV industries avoided showing this history seriously, favoring safer romantic stories instead. This film tells a story that is very close to reality.”

Criticism Over Historical Accuracy

Other viewers and journalists have criticized the film for misrepresenting the Lyari gang wars. They argue that the actual conflicts were local political struggles involving parties like the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and local figures such as Rahman Dakait, Arshad Pappu, and Baba Ladla. These critics maintain that India had no involvement in these events. Karachi-based journalist Ibad Ahmed called the film’s narrative “nationalist fiction”, noting that it wrongly ties local events to international terrorism.

Controversy Over Specific Sequences

Certain sequences, such as the portrayal of Baloch leaders and the use of FA9LA, a Bahraini Arabic rap track, received mixed feedback. While some Baloch viewers praised the accurate pronunciation of Balochi words—calling it “impressively authentic”—others found scenes involving local political figures confusing or inaccurate. Writer Munib Qadir pointed out that a character modeled after PPP leader Nabeel Gabol was renamed Jameel Jamali, depicted as having a son-in-law working as an Indian spy, which sparked debate.

Additionally, the use of Benazir Bhutto’s image in the film drew criticism. Sindh government spokesperson Sumeta Afzal Syed condemned the portrayal as illegal, arguing that the film suggested Bhutto’s party sympathized with terrorists, despite PPP being a victim of terrorism. Social media users, however, clarified that Rahman Dakait himself was a known PPP supporter who saved people during a 2007 bombing targeting Bhutto.

Cultural Representation Appreciated

Despite the controversies, the film’s representation of Baloch culture, especially Akshaye Khanna’s viral entry sequence, was appreciated by some audiences. Taj Baloch from the Baloch Human Rights Council praised the pronunciation of Balochi words, noting the difficulty for non-native speakers to replicate certain phonetics.

Dhurandhar has ignited conversations on cross-border cinema, historical accuracy, and cultural representation, demonstrating how a film based on real-life events can evoke strong reactions beyond its country of origin.