The irony of Dhurandhar has officially peaked. While the Indian film industry remains fractured over its “sinister” versus “courageous” storytelling, the film has achieved a feat that defies borders and bans alike.
After becoming the #1 most pirated movie in Pakistan during its theatrical run, the Ranveer Singh-starrer has now seamlessly transitioned to the official #1 spot on Netflix Pakistan within 48 hours of its digital debut, according to FlixPatrol.
When Dhurandhar hit Indian screens on December 5, 2025, it was immediately banned in Pakistan and several Gulf nations. However, the ban proved to be its most effective marketing tool. Reports from late December revealed that the film had amassed over 2 million illegal downloads in Pakistan within just 12 days.
From low-res torrents to Telegram channels, the Pakistani audience was clearly obsessed with seeing what the propaganda was about. The ban didn’t silence the film. In fact, it made it the most-coveted forbidden fruit in the country’s digital history.
The Netflix success is even more fascinating because of the content of the reviews coming out of Karachi. While some Indian critics find the film inciting, many Pakistani viewers have praised it for its technical research.
The film’s deep dive into the Lyari gang wars and its portrayal of the late, legendary police officer Chaudhary Aslam (played by Sanjay Dutt) has struck a chord. Many Karachiites found the recreation of Kharadar and Meethadar neighbourhoods eerily accurate.
The impact was so strong that the Sindh government even announced a counter-film, Mera Lyari, to present their own “official” narrative. a move that only added fuel to the Dhurandhar fire.
The “Dhurandhar Phenomenon” proves that the mass audience rarely cares about the ideological wars of the elite. While director Shazia Iqbal (Dhadak 2, Sacred Games) calls the film “sinister” and Anurag Kashyap debates its “New India” monologues, the average viewer in Lahore or Karachi is simply hitting “Play” on a world-class thriller. Stay tuned for more updates.