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Indian spy thriller Dhurandhar sparks debate across India and Pakistan

Published on: December 9, 2025 5:02 PM

Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar': How Ranveer Singh's new film goes beyond staging a cross-border conflict

The Indian spy thriller Dhurandhar, released on December 5, has taken audiences in India and Pakistan by storm. Loosely based on the Lyari gang wars, the film blends high-octane action with political messaging, prompting mixed reactions on both sides of the border.

While Pakistanis largely recognized the movie as propaganda, some criticized the local entertainment industry for avoiding stories rooted in Pakistan’s own history.

Content creator Bilal Hassan (@mystapaki) described his conflicted reaction on Instagram, praising the action sequences, music, and performances, especially Akshay Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait. Yet, he called out the anti-Pakistan dialogue as clear propaganda. Hassan lamented Pakistan’s refusal to tell its own stories, saying the film reminded him of living through the Lyari gang wars as a child.

While some Pakistani voices, like journalist Javera Siddique, appreciated the film for highlighting Baloch culture beyond common stereotypes, others criticized its use of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s images in party rallies, calling it misleading. Many users also debated why Pakistanis often consume Indian content despite bans, boycotts, and erasure of local artists in India.

Indian critics were equally vocal, pointing to the film’s overt political messaging. Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani described it as heavy on “Sangh propaganda,” while film critic Anupama Chopra called it “exhausting” and packed with nationalism and anti-Pakistan narratives. Some viewers warned that slick production and catchy songs make the propaganda easy to overlook, while others stressed the cultural consequences of leaving Pakistan’s stories to foreign filmmakers.

The film has reignited cross-border discussions on cinema, ownership, and political narratives. Dhurandhar may entertain, but its blend of action and propaganda has sparked a deeper reflection on how national stories are told, who tells them, and the cultural implications for audiences on both sides of the border.

 

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