Bollywood’s latest spy thriller, Dhurandhar, has ignited a fiery debate across India and Pakistan, proving that cinema can be as divisive as it is captivating. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some hail it as a gripping tale of espionage and patriotism, others slam it as a thinly veiled propaganda piece that fuels historical tensions. Released just months after the worst military clash between the two nations in two decades, the film dives headfirst into the fraught relationship between India and Pakistan, leaving no room for neutrality.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, whose 2019 debut Uri: The Surgical Strike became a box-office sensation, Dhurandhar follows Indian spy Hamza (played by Ranveer Singh) on a perilous mission in Karachi. The film is a high-octane mix of gang wars, shadowy operatives, and personal struggles, all set against the backdrop of India-Pakistan hostilities. And this is the part most people miss: while its action sequences and plot twists have earned applause, the film’s hyper-nationalist tone and graphic violence have sparked outrage, with critics accusing it of oversimplifying complex historical events.
Dhar’s penchant for blending real-life incidents with cinematic flair is on full display. The film incorporates news footage and audio recordings of events like the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, blurring the line between fact and fiction. Yet, this approach has drawn sharp criticism. Film critic Uday Bhatia notes, ‘The film paints Pakistan as a lawless, almost barbaric land, framing the conflict in stark religious terms.’ Others, however, argue that Dhar’s portrayal of Pakistan is surprisingly nuanced, especially in its political undertones.
The controversy doesn’t stop at India’s borders. In Pakistan, Dhurandhar has faced backlash for its negative depiction of the country, with editorials in newspapers like Dawn lamenting that Bollywood often steps in to narrate Pakistan’s history when local filmmakers fail to do so. The film’s portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari gang, typically associated with local crime, as a player in cross-border tensions has been labeled inaccurate and inflammatory. The sharpest criticism came from Pakistan’s Sindh province ruling party, the PPP, which called out a scene featuring a fictional PPP rally as a ‘malicious distortion.’
But here’s the bigger question: Is Dhurandhar entertainment or propaganda? The film’s makers argue it’s a human interest story, but critics say it’s increasingly hard to separate art from agenda. With nationalist blockbusters like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story dominating Indian cinema, the line between storytelling and political messaging is growing thinner. As one critic puts it, ‘It’s fiction, but it’s fiction with a slant.’
Despite the uproar, Dhurandhar has become one of the year’s biggest hits, drawing massive audiences in both countries. Whether you see it as a thrilling spy saga or a problematic political statement, one thing is clear: this film is a conversation starter. So, here’s the question for you: Does Dhurandhar cross the line from entertainment to propaganda, or is it simply reflecting the complexities of a troubled region? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
