A Pakistani social-media user’s review of Dhurandhar has gone viral for its mix of admiration and cultural criticism. The viewer praised the Bollywood thriller’s craft yet said they felt uneasy over how the film treats one of its central characters, the Karachi gangster Rehman Dakait, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna.
The review, posted on Reddit by a Karachi-born viewer, acknowledged that the film’s direction and cinematography were impressive. They called the movie a “good watch,” appreciating its pacing and aesthetics. But one aspect left them uncomfortable: the apparent glorification of Dakait, a real-life figure whose name evokes both fear and notoriety in Lyari. The reviewer argued that, even in fiction, portraying such a violent person as charismatic risks romanticising brutality. They wrote that, just as glorifying India’s underworld icons like Dawood Ibrahim would unsettle many viewers, doing so with Pakistani criminals can also strike a raw nerve.
Dhurandhar, which stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian operative infiltrating Karachi’s underworld, blends fictional espionage drama with real-world figures. Its narrative incorporates gang leaders Rehman Dakait and Uzair Baloch alongside Karachi police officer Chaudhry Aslam, weaving a story of infiltration, loyalty, and betrayal. The film has become a major box-office success, earning significant revenue and stirring cross-border reactions and debates.
The controversy around its portrayal lies in the complex legacy of Dakait. In real life, Abdul Rehman Baloch, better known as Rehman Dakait, was one of Karachi’s most notorious gang leaders and a founder of the Peoples’ Aman Committee. He was wanted for over 100 crimes, including murder, extortion, and illegal arms trafficking, and was ultimately killed in a 2009 police encounter.
Despite his violent history, Dakait remains a complicated figure in Lyari’s collective memory due to his ties with local politics and community support networks. Over decades, the neighbourhood often functioned as a battleground for gangs tied to political patrons, particularly through the Pakistan Peoples Party, blurring lines between criminality and political power.
That nuanced history makes cinematic interpretation sensitive. While Dhurandhar touches on the region’s gang wars and political extremism, some viewers in Pakistan view its depiction of the setting and characters as loaded or even simplistic. Reactions have ranged from appreciation of the detailed portrayal of Karachi to criticism over alleged anti-Pakistan sentiment or unrealistic story elements.
Interestingly, mixed opinions about Dhurandhar have emerged from Pakistani audiences more broadly. Some online reactions have praised its storytelling and applauded performances, particularly Khanna’s, while others point to the discomfort of seeing a criminal reframed with larger-than-life cinematic treatment. The film has become highly popular in Pakistan despite bans, with large numbers reportedly accessing pirated copies.
Akshaye Khanna’s character has already become one of the standout elements of the film. Designers reportedly crafted a distinctive “Sher-e-Baloch” look that contributed to a viral cultural impact, while critics have dubbed the role among Khanna’s most sharply defined villainous performances.
Ultimately, the debate around Dhurandhar reflects long-running questions about art, ethics, and representation. Using real criminals as inspiration can deepen storytelling realism but also invites scrutiny over how films portray violence and notoriety. The Pakistani viewer’s reaction encapsulates that tension: admiration for a compelling film paired with discomfort over celebrating a deeply violent figure.