Karachi, 12 Dec 

Aditya Dhar’s 'Dhurandhar' has ignited strong reactions across the border, with Pakistani critics, actors and social media creators alleging that the film contains “numerous factual inaccuracies” about Karachi and the turbulent years of 2007–2008. The high-voltage spy thriller, released on December 5, stars Ranveer Singh and is set against major geopolitical and terror-linked events, including the Kandahar hijack, Parliament attack and 26/11.

Much of the narrative unfolds in Karachi’s Lyari town, an area long associated with gang wars and violent territorial conflicts. But Pakistani reviewers argue that the film’s portrayal oversimplifies and distorts the city’s socio-political landscape.

Omair Alavi, a well-known film critic, acknowledged the film’s technical strengths but flagged key issues. “‘Dhurandhar’ is a well-made film, slick and the acting is also good but it has many factual inaccuracies about Karachi and the period of 2007-2008 shown in the film,” he said. He added that Pakistani filmmakers avoid such large-scale propaganda cinema because it is “a huge financial risk”, given limited theatres and high ticket prices.

Alavi also questioned whether Indian audiences would even care about such discrepancies. “For him, it is a slick action movie with big stars and Pakistanis are not good neighbours and thus it is a hit,” he remarked.

Drama actor Qamar Reza drew parallels between 'Dhurandhar' and a 2022 Pakistani film on real-life cop Chaudhary Aslam, suggesting Dhar’s movie “seems to be inspired” by it. Reza argued that in Pakistan, propaganda-style films have “always been rejected” due to poor execution and low budgets.

The cast of Dhar’s film includes Sanjay Dutt as Chaudhary Aslam, Akshaye Khanna as gangster Rahman Dakait, Arjun Rampal as ISI officer Major Iqbal, and R. Madhavan as Indian spymaster Ajay Sanyal.

Content creator Bilal Hassan (@mystapaki) offered a mixed but emotional critique. “It is very, very well-made… I wanted to be upset at it, but I couldn’t be upset at it,” he said, reserving his discomfort for the script’s tone. “If that isn’t propaganda, I don’t know what it is.”

Hassan, who grew up amid Lyari’s gang violence, said the story felt deeply personal. “Chaudhry Aslam’s house was in front of my school… That’s how close to home this story was for me,” he said, lamenting Pakistan’s reluctance to tell its own stories truthfully.

Viewers have also mocked several production choices, such as Ranveer Singh’shalf-sleeve shalwar kameez, an outfit critics say “no one in Pakistan wears”.