Pakistani actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram has called for a complete boycott of the Indian spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge, criticizing it for portraying Pakistan, specifically Karachi’s Lyari, as a global hub of terrorism. In a message addressed to Pakistanis worldwide, Ikram labeled the film “ultimate filth, Indian propaganda, garbage,” highlighting its nationalist and anti-Pakistan themes.
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The actor urged the Pakistani government to leverage diplomatic channels to have the film banned in allied countries, citing its support from top Bollywood celebrities as evidence of “hatred” toward Pakistan. He further claimed that right-wing Hindu funding behind Bollywood films perpetuates a similar animosity toward Islam.
“It would be a crime for a Pakistani to buy a ticket for Dhurandhar and further fund this filth propaganda,” Ikram said, urging cinema-goers to support creators who respect Pakistan, its people, and religion.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the second installment in director Aditya Dhar’s spy film series, released worldwide on March 19 and has already crossed INR13 billion at the global box office. Similar to its predecessor, it was banned in Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, largely due to concerns over communal tensions.
The film’s negative depiction of Lyari prompted the provincial government of Sindh to announce a counter-narrative film, Mera Lyari, to present a local perspective. Pakistani audiences and commentators on social media have widely criticized Dhurandhar as blatant propaganda, calling for Pakistan to take ownership of its stories and present its truth globally.
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The debate underscores the growing concern over cultural representation and the influence of cinema in shaping international perceptions between India and Pakistan.