A record-breaking Indian spy thriller faces controversy over its depiction of real-world geopolitics
In short: Dhurandhar, a 2025 spy action epic, became one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever, despite polarized critical reception. While audiences flocked to its intense, three-and-a-half-hour narrative of an undercover agent in Karachi, the film sparked intense debate over its blending of historical events with fiction and its alleged political messaging.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar follows an Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates criminal syndicates in Karachi to dismantle terror networks. The film draws loose inspiration from actual geopolitical crises, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Its narrative structure, which spans 214 minutes, explores the complex underworld of the Lyari suburb, focusing on gang politics and the protagonist's high-stakes mission to neutralize threats to India.
The film’s commercial performance was historic, grossing over ₹1,350 crore worldwide. It stands as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 and the most successful A-rated Indian film of all time. Despite this success, it faced significant hurdles, including a theatrical ban across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which distributors estimate cost the production approximately US$10 million in potential earnings. In Pakistan, where Indian films have been banned since 2019, the movie was reportedly pirated two million times within its first week.
Critical reaction remains deeply divided. Supporters praise the film's immersive world-building, technical craft, and the performances of Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. Conversely, detractors argue the film relies on jingoistic tropes and romanticizes violence, with some commentators labeling it as propaganda. The film’s release was further complicated by legal challenges regarding its portrayal of the Baloch community, leading to post-release edits that muted specific dialogue in Indian theatrical versions. By the time it reached streaming platforms, the film had already cemented its status as a polarizing cultural phenomenon.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dhurandhar
- Also: Wikidata — Dhurandhar · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Dhurandhar · CC0
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