Pakistan’s Ban Backfires as Dhurandhar Becomes an Underground Sensation

New Delhi: The ban imposed by Pakistan and several Gulf countries on the film *Dhurandhar* has failed to curb its popularity, with the movie continuing its strong run and gaining significant traction underground in Pakistan.

The film, which depicts events such as the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Lyari gang wars, has drawn sharp criticism from the Pakistani establishment. Authorities attempted to block its screening and circulation, but these efforts have reportedly collapsed in the digital space.

According to estimates, nearly two million illegal downloads of *Dhurandhar* have taken place in Pakistan within just two weeks, making it the most pirated film in the country, surpassing titles such as *2.0* and *Raees*. While the ban may have resulted in an estimated revenue loss of Rs 50–60 crore for the filmmakers, the narrative presented in the film has nonetheless reached audiences across Pakistan.

Analysts describe this as a psychological victory for India, noting that the message has spread widely despite official restrictions. Particular resentment has been reported over the film’s portrayal of Lyari, prompting Pakistani authorities to move quickly to counter the narrative.

Sindh’s Senior Provincial Minister for Information, Sharjeel Inam Memon, stated on social media platform X that *Dhurandhar* was an example of negative propaganda against Pakistan and Lyari. He announced that a new film titled *Mera Lyari*, portraying the area as a symbol of culture, peace, and resilience, is being fast-tracked for release next month.

Despite monitoring online activity related to the film, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have reportedly been unable to stem the spread of pirated copies. Torrents, piracy links, Telegram channels, underground streaming platforms, and VPNs are being widely used to access the film. Cyber experts indicate that overseas servers, including those located in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Malaysia, are being used to facilitate downloads.

Officials say the surge in illegal downloads reflects growing curiosity among Pakistani viewers. While some audiences disagree with the film’s narrative, many have praised the performances, with social media users creating reels and memes based on scenes from the movie.

At the same time, social media accounts linked to Pakistani institutions have reportedly circulated selective clips from the film to mock or counter its storyline, often framing them with alternative narratives. Intelligence agencies suggest there are coordinated efforts to manipulate the content to suit domestic messaging.

Experts point out that the accelerated production of *Mera Lyari* and the persistent attempts to suppress *Dhurandhar* indicate a defensive response. The rising interest in the film and the scale of piracy, they add, underscore the failure of the blackout strategy.

Separately, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has filed a petition in a Karachi court objecting to the use of images of late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the film. The plea seeks the registration of an FIR against the cast and crew of *Dhurandhar*.

The film stars Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates Lyari to dismantle terror networks allegedly backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. The ensemble cast also includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi.

— With inputs from IANS