Aditya Dhar’s films, Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge, dive into the complexities of an Indian spy’s mission to dismantle a terrorist unit by infiltrating a Baloch gang in Lyari. Starring Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun, the story portrays a region plagued by gang conflicts and violence. Recently, a discussion arose when an Indian Instagram influencer encountered a Pakistani while in Bali, leading to a conversation about the film’s authenticity in representing Lyari.
In a video shared by Rohan Bhatia, also known as @thebesharamfoodie, he and a Pakistani man critique Dhurandhar. The Pakistani commented on a particularly amusing line from the film: “Whoever controls Lyari, controls Karachi; whoever controls Karachi, controls Pakistan.” He humorously noted that many in Karachi view their city as a place where control is elusive, suggesting that real power dynamics are more substantial elsewhere. He emphasized that while gang violence exists in Lyari, it primarily involves conflicts between local gangs rather than the sweeping narrative portrayed in the film.
The conversation also touched upon the character Yalina Jamali, played by Sara Arjun. The Pakistani men found it hard to believe that a woman would wander the streets of Lyari dressed in a miniskirt, a fashion choice they deemed unrealistic for the area. They pointed out inaccuracies in a scene depicting an underground party, noting the absence of Urdu signage that the film suggested was present, instead highlighting that most signs in such contexts would likely be in English.
Despite their criticisms, the pair acknowledged the film’s impressive cinematography and expressed enjoyment for the song FA9LA, performed by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi. However, they argued that the song should not be labeled a Balochi track, stressing that as a Sindhi Balochi, the man has a better understanding of cultural nuances. They also noted that Ranveer Singh’s character’s attire—a half-sleeve kurta—does not reflect typical fashion choices in Pakistan.
The discussion then turned to the romantic subplot involving Hamza, portrayed by Singh, and Yalina, the daughter of politician Jameel Jamali. The pair found it implausible that Hamza could elope with a minister’s daughter, suggesting that such a scenario is unlikely in Pakistan due to societal constraints. They speculated that this element of the plot was exaggerated for dramatic purposes.
Both films, while offering entertaining narratives, spark conversations about cultural representation and authenticity in cinema. Released globally in December, Dhurandhar: The Revenge hit theaters on March 19, though both films were not available in Pakistan or Gulf regions, which further complicates audience perceptions of their cultural messaging.