Full Breakdown
Divided Reactions to Bollywood's Dhurandhar: A Cross-Border Perspective
12/9/2025, 9:17:18 PM
Overview of Dhurandhar's Release
The Indian spy thriller *Dhurandhar*, directed by Aditya Dhar, premiered on December 5, 2023, and has sparked polarized reactions from audiences in both India and Pakistan. Loosely based on the Lyari gang war, the film intertwines elements of Bollywood propaganda with a narrative that has resonated deeply across the border. While some viewers praised its production quality and performances, others criticized its overt political messaging and portrayal of sensitive historical events.
Audience Reactions: A Split Perspective
The film has elicited mixed responses, particularly among Pakistani viewers who recognize its propagandistic elements. Content creator Bilal Hassan expressed a conflicted admiration for the film's craftsmanship while lamenting Pakistan's failure to claim its own narratives. He noted, “If that isn’t propaganda, I don’t know what it is,” highlighting the film's anti-Pakistan dialogue. Similarly, author Muneeb Qadir described *Dhurandhar* as “very gripping” but acknowledged its heavy-handed political undertones.
Conversely, Indian audiences have also critiqued the film for its political messaging. Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani labeled it as laden with “Sangh propaganda,” while film critic Anupama Chopra described it as “exhausting” and filled with “shrill nationalism and inflammatory anti-Pakistan narratives.” This duality in reception underscores a growing awareness of propaganda in Bollywood films, with many viewers questioning the narratives presented.
Political Controversies and Criticism
The film has not only divided audiences but also attracted political scrutiny. Sumeta Afzal Syed, spokesperson for the Sindh government, condemned the film for its “unlawful” use of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's images, accusing it of portraying the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) as sympathetic to terrorism. However, this condemnation faced backlash from critics who pointed out alleged ties between PPP members and the gang wars depicted in the film.
The film's portrayal of real-life figures, such as Akshaye Khanna's Rehman Dakait and Sanjay Dutt's Chaudhary Aslam, has also raised eyebrows. While some viewers appreciated the characterizations, others criticized the film for its sensationalism and historical inaccuracies, arguing that it distorts the complexities of the real events it claims to depict.
The Broader Implications of Dhurandhar
*Dhurandhar* represents a continuation of Bollywood's trend toward jingoistic narratives, which often blur the lines between fact and fiction. The film's invocation of real terror events and its framing of characters in a politically charged context have sparked discussions about the role of cinema in shaping public perception and national identity. As the film industry increasingly intertwines entertainment with political messaging, the implications for cross-border relations and cultural narratives remain significant.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If that isn’t propaganda, I don’t know what it is,” — Bilal Hassan, Content Creator
- “In a review, she later took down she described the film as an “exhausting” watch packed with “too much testosterone, shrill nationalism and inflammatory anti-Pakistan narratives”.” — Anupama Chopra, Film Critic
- “Sumeta Afzal Syed, spokesperson for the Sindh government, condemned the “unlawful” use of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s pictures in the film while showing PPP rallies, calling it a disgraceful attempt to portray the PPP as “sympathetic to terrorists”.” — Sumeta Afzal Syed, Sindh Government Spokesperson
The release of *Dhurandhar* has not only entertained but also provoked critical discourse on the intersection of film, politics, and national identity, reflecting the complexities of contemporary South Asian narratives.
