Dhurandhar: One of the most anticipated films of December is Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar, which not only caused a stir in the theaters of India but in international politics as well.Directed by Aditya Dhar, this spy thriller revolves around the criminal underworld of Lyari in Karachi and shakes hands with the world of intelligence and organized crimes.
Although the film has not yet been shown in Pakistani theaters, its script has already resulted in a governmental reaction there.
Dhurandhar: A Spy Thriller with Sharp Edges
Dhurandhar’s story unfolds between 1999 and 2009 in Lyari, featuring a complex landscape of gangs and intelligence network connections. Moreover, this movie casts Ranveer Singh as an Indian intelligence officer who goes undercover in a crime syndicate headed by Akshaye Khanna’s character.
This movie embraces reality because it shows that Lyari is some kind of central hub of crime influences with intelligence network ties.
Why Pakistan is Objecting
However, the depiction does not seem welcome among the administration of Sindh. They state that Dhurandhar explains the place of Lyari as a violent and no man’s land or region, without acknowledging its cultural and social complexity.
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Moreover, the administration of Sindh’s Information Department has shared two posters of Mera Layari and wrote, “Misrepresentation cannot erase reality. Lyari stands for culture, peace, and resilience not violence. While Dhurandhar spreads propaganda, Mera Layari will soon tell the authentic story of pride and prosperity.”
Dhurandhar: A Counter-Narrative Space
Breaking the mould, the Sindh government is set to produce its own film, ‘Mera Lyari’, as an outright response to the movie. Expected to come out as an initiative in January 2026, its goal is to portray the resilience and culture of Lyari. Official reports emphasize that ‘Lyari stands for our heritage and our culture and not for crimes.
What is Lyari? Behind the Screens
Lyari is considered to be the oldest area of Karachi, with the locals referring to it as the mother of Karachi.’The area was initially inhabited by fishermen and Baloch settlers. However, the decline of the area due to poverty led to the rise of gang activity from the 1960s onwards.
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Lyari: Crime, Culture & Contradictions
Even though Lyari has earned a reputation for organized crime, it is also a place that has nurtured robust cultural currents, such as a distinct music culture in the 1970s. The decades of the 1980s and 1990s saw organized crime meshes with politics in Lyari, adding to the problems associated with this region.
What is the Dhurandhar & Lyari Controversy
The Dhurandhar-Lyari controversy is a significant example of how films can reach beyond borders without ever having been formally distributed. Films influence perception, evoke a response, and revive an unpursued narrative.
In this particular incident, films are leaving their boundaries in terms of narrative, entering the realm of politics through state discourses, thus asserting the power of films in South Asia.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available statements and reports; interpretations of films and historical contexts may vary across audiences.