The Bollywood film "Dhurandhar" has premiered, generating varied discussions in both India and Pakistan concerning its depiction of the long-standing tensions between the two nations. The film, released recently, is an espionage thriller featuring Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy operating in Karachi, Pakistan. It portrays his encounters with criminal organizations and operatives within the context of India-Pakistan relations.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, "Dhurandhar" has received both positive and negative feedback. Dhar's previous works include "Uri: The Surgical Strike" (2019) and "Article 370" (2023), both of which addressed geopolitical themes and achieved commercial success. "Dhurandhar" continues Dhar's focus on the political-thriller genre, incorporating action sequences depicting violence in urban settings.
Online reactions have been divided. Some viewers have commended the film's cinematic scope and storyline, while others have expressed concern over its nationalistic tone and use of violence. This debate has led to instances of criticism directed at reviewers, prompting the Film Critics' Guild to issue a statement condemning harassment against film critics. Despite the polarized reception, "Dhurandhar" has achieved significant box-office success.
Indian cinema has observed a recent increase in commercially successful films that address government policies and historical events. Examples include "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Story," which generated discussions about their historical accuracy and political perspectives. Spy thrillers frequently feature narratives portraying Pakistan as a threat to India, a theme rooted in the countries' geopolitical history. Filmmakers of these productions contend that their films resonate with audiences by addressing historical and contemporary issues often excluded from mainstream commercial cinema. Conversely, critics argue that such films, by distorting events, can blur the distinction between entertainment and propaganda.
"Dhurandhar" aligns with this expanding genre, incorporating real-life events and historical incidents such as news footage from the 2001 Indian parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. The narrative begins with a reference to the 1999 hijacking of an Indian passenger plane, leading to an Indian intelligence chief dispatching a spy to Karachi to disrupt alleged links between criminal networks and terror groups, which the film implies receive support from the Pakistani government. The film depicts Karachi as a city marked by crime and inter-gang violence.
Critics such as Uday Bhatia have noted that the film portrays Pakistan as a "lawless" and "pathologically hostile" nation, framing the conflict in religious terms. However, other reviewers, including Vineeta Kumar from India Today, have described the portrayal of Pakistan as "surprisingly nuanced, especially politically."
In Pakistan, reactions to "Dhurandhar" have also been varied. While cultural exchanges and access to Indian films are often restricted, Bollywood maintains popularity, with audiences frequently accessing content through unofficial channels. Editorials in Pakistani media, including Dawn newspaper, have critiqued the film's portrayal of Pakistan and observed that local filmmakers often do not address their own history, allowing external interpretations to prevail.