Bollywood’s latest spy drama ‘Dhurandhar’ has become a major talking point in both India and Pakistan, drawing praise for its scale and performances while igniting a political and cultural storm over its portrayal of history and cross-border tensions.
Released last week, the 3.5-hour film stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian intelligence officer who infiltrates criminal and militant networks in Karachi. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film follows a covert mission by India’s Research and Analysis Wing and is set against the long and bitter rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Its arrival comes just months after renewed tensions following a deadly attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied.
While Bollywood films remain popular in Pakistan, critics argue that Dhurandhar relies heavily on ultra-nationalist tropes and presents a distorted image of Pakistan. The depiction of Karachi, particularly the Lyari neighbourhood, has attracted strong criticism for reducing the city to violence and chaos. Sociologist Nida Kirmani has said the film misrepresents Karachi’s culture, language and history, framing local gangs within an implausible geopolitical narrative.
The controversy has extended beyond criticism. A member of Pakistan’s Peoples Party has filed a legal case in Karachi, alleging the unauthorised use of images of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and objecting to the portrayal of party leaders as supporters of extremism.
In India, the film has been a commercial success but has faced its own challenges. The family of decorated army officer Major Mohit Sharma sought to block its release, claiming his life was used without consent. The filmmakers maintain that the story is fictional, though critics note the inclusion of real news footage and audio recordings of attacks on Indian soil.
Film analysts say Dhurandhar fits into a broader trend in Bollywood towards hyper-nationalistic storytelling, often aligned with the political climate under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Similar debates surrounded films such as ‘Article 370’ and ‘The Kerala Story’, both accused by critics of distorting facts and marginalising minorities.
The backlash has also affected film criticism, with some reviewers facing online harassment. India’s Film Critics Guild has condemned what it called coordinated attacks on critics and attempts to influence editorial independence.
