Upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar -- centered on Pakistan and featuring major Pakistani figures as its lead characters -- has triggered sharp criticism in Pakistan following the release of its trailer.
The movie stars Ranveer Singh, Akshay Khanna and Sanjay Dutt, who portray real-life Pakistanis in what filmmakers pitch as a high-stakes crime and action drama.
The trailer has faced severe backlash from Pakistani audiences, with many social media users claiming that India has “run out of topics” and is now relying on distorted depictions of Pakistan for entertainment.
Critics argue that by focusing on Indian “heroes and soldiers,” the film exposes itself to “embarrassment,” as they claim such portrayals ignore India’s own military record, alleging that its soldiers “lack courage and faith” and “often surrender in actual wars.”
Also Read: Bollywood's 'Dhurandhar' faces Backlash over anti-Pakistan portrayal
The online debate has quickly grown, with many Pakistanis accusing the film of political messaging, historical misrepresentation, and cultural insensitivity.
Chaudhry Aslam’s wife reacts strongly
Amid the backlash, the widow of slain Karachi police officer Chaudhry Aslam -- one of Pakistan’s most well-known anti-terror and anti-mafia officers -- has publicly criticised the film for its depiction of Rehman Dakait, the infamous Lyari gang leader.
She condemned the filmmakers for elevating Dakait’s criminal profile, saying the portrayal was unrealistic and misleading.
Speaking about a specific scene, she said: “They have shown a jalsa in Lyari, where Benazir Bhutto’s photograph was displayed, and Rehman Dakait appeared and addressed the public. What are they trying to show here? Who was Rehman Dakait?”
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She insisted that Dakait was not a major mafia don, but a small-time criminal whose activities were limited to his neighborhood.
“He wasn’t even a public figure. His influence was only in his area -- collecting extortion money from businessmen and being involved in drugs,” she said.
'If anyone deserves to be portrayed, it’s Chaudhry Aslam'
Chaudhry Aslam’s wife questioned why Bollywood chose to amplify Rehman Dakait’s presence rather than portray individuals who took on criminal networks. “If he is being portrayed as such a big character, then who was Chaudhry Aslam -- the real big shot who took on every goon in Pakistan?” she asked.
Also Read: Pakistani viewers slam Dhurandhar trailer for misrepresenting Lyari
She emphasized her late husband’s legacy: “He fought against all major mafias. We can understand if Chaudhry Aslam is portrayed in films. But Dakait wasn’t a bigger don. This portrayal does not match reality.”
She also urged political leadership to respond: “I think Bilawal Bhutto and the Sindh government should take action. They should issue a statement or speak up.”
Growing debate ahead of Dhurandhar’s release
As Dhurandhar prepares for its official release, the film has already stirred cross-border debate, rekindling discussions around Bollywood’s approach to Pakistan-centric narratives, cultural accuracy and political storytelling.
For now, the controversy shows no sign of slowing down, as public figures and ordinary viewers continue questioning the motivations and portrayals embedded in the film’s storyline.
