Bollywood Upcoming Film ‘Dhurandhar’ trailer perceive as an anti-Pakistan narrative!

Bollywood has once again stepped into sensitive political ground, and the backlash this time is simply unprecedented. The trailer of the soon-to-be-released Indian film ‘Dhurandhar’, projected as an action-packed, high-octane thriller, has kicked up a maelstrom of criticism throughout Pakistan. The outrage centers on the movie’s use of actual images of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto along with depictions of Pakistani officials like martyred police officer Aslam Chaudhry and Rehman Dikhit.

It seems that this early December-released film weaves real-life Pakistani personalities into a fictionalized, dramatized narrative, an act that many find disrespectful, misleading, and politically charged.

A Trailer That Crossed Boundaries

The trailer has Ranveer Singh essaying a Pakistani intelligence officer, Sanjay Dutt as Aslam Chaudhry, while Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dikhit. The characters, along with shots of Karachi’s Lyari area, add a veneer of authenticity to the film while simultaneously pushing Pakistan in a negative light.

Still, what really tipped the scales was the use of actual photographs of Benazir Bhutto, which many Pakistanis view as an exploitation of the legacy of the country’s first female prime minister in an act of sensationalism.

Social media users from both countries were quick to point out that the storyline seemed like pure fiction masquerading as realism. Even Indian viewers criticized the movie’s direction for being “cringe”, “forced patriotism”, and “yet another attempt to cash in on anti-Pakistan sentiment.”

A Pattern in Bollywood Storytelling

‘Dharendra’ is far from the first Bollywood production to be accused of fanning the flames of anti-Pakistan narratives. Several Indian films have used the political tension between the two neighbours as a means to attract box-office success over the years.

From Kesari to Uri to Bhuj, Bollywood has often relied on dramatization that projects Pakistan as an antagonist—sometimes subtly, often brazenly. According to analysts, this kind of portrayal is done not only to satiate nationalistic sentiment but also to ensure better box office returns.

Industry critics say that this trend has increased in the last decade, as more filmmakers combine real historical references with exaggerated fiction, so that cinema and propaganda become blurred.

Why This Controversy Matters

The usage of Benazir Bhutto’s images has thrust the debate beyond cinematic critique. Bhutto is a globally respected political figure, and her legacy carries enormous emotional weight in Pakistan. A section of people feels that the film uses her identity without her consent and distorts historical figures into fictional roles to mislead uninformed audiences.

Observers say such portrayals run the risk of deepening political divides and fueling misinformation, particularly when mass audiences interpret dramatized narratives as factual accounts.

Public Reaction: A Rare Moment of Agreement

Ironically, this controversy has united critics across borders. While Pakistanis expressed outrage at the disrespect and propaganda, a significant number of Indians labelled the film as “embarrassing”, “desperate for attention”, and “a distortion of reality”.

This unexpected cross-border agreement underlines an emerging feeling: audiences are increasingly aware of manipulative storytelling and demand authenticity over propaganda.

With its release imminent, Dharendra already leads the charts as one of the most controversial Bollywood films of the year-not for artistic merit but for its controversial portrayal of Pakistan and its leadership. Whether the movie will emerge commercially successful or succumb to criticism, one thing is certain: the public’s patience is wearing thin as far as Bollywood anti-Pakistan propaganda is concerned.

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