Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has ignited a fierce debate, drawing criticism from Pakistani critics and social media users who allege factual inaccuracies and creative liberties. Released on December 5th, the film is a spy thriller directed and written by Dhar, featuring Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The movie follows covert intelligence operations set against a backdrop of geopolitical and terror events, including the Kandahar plane hijack, the 2001 Parliament Attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Pakistani critics, actors, and content creators have joined the conversation, pointing out what they see as misrepresentations. Omair Alavi, a film critic and writer, said that while the movie is well-made with good performances, its depiction of Karachi and the events of 2007–2008 is not accurate. British-Pakistani host and film critic Haroon Rashid highlighted the stark contrast between the "Dhurandhar" version of Karachi and the actual city, noting that the streets, local culture, and general atmosphere depicted in the movie were far removed from reality. Social media users have echoed this sentiment, criticizing the film for cultural inaccuracies. One user said they had been living in Karachi for 30 years but never said "Adaab," while another commented that the story, city, police officers, and gangsters were completely misrepresented.
Sumeta Afzal Syed, a spokesperson of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has also criticized "Dhurandhar," calling it "a disgraceful attempt" to portray their political party as sympathetic to terrorists. Syed alleged that the film unlawfully used images of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and falsely portrayed the party's position on terrorism. She urged Pakistani authorities to take notice of what she called an attempt to malign Pakistan's former Prime Minister, emphasizing that the PPP has always stood as the strongest force against extremism.
The criticism extends to the portrayal of the Baloch community, with critics arguing that the cities and communities shown in the movie seem entirely unrealistic. Some viewers were taken aback by the "Arabification" of Baloch characters and the inaccurate representation of Karachi's streets. Many Pakistanis have expressed frustration over the portrayal of their culture, highlighting that the film perpetuates stereotypes and fails to understand the diversity and nuances of Pakistani society.
The film has also been banned across six Gulf nations – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman – due to its allegedly "anti-Pakistan" political framing. This decision removes a key overseas market for the film.
Despite the criticism, "Dhurandhar" has garnered praise within the Indian film industry for its scale and craft. Hrithik Roshan said he was struck by the film's cinematic ambition, calling it an example of "immersive storytelling". Film critic Sucharita Tyagi noted the film's "precision and confidence" in its action and performances, adding that the Gulf ban reflects "a predictable regional sensitivity to India–Pakistan narratives rather than a judgement on the film's cinematic merits". Smriti Irani also defended the film, stating that "Dhurandhar" is the echo of lives lived and lost for the nation.
"Dhurandhar" has opened to a strong response at the box office in India, crossing ₹180 crore. The makers have announced that part two of the film will release on March 19, 2026.
