Banned in Pakistan, ‘Dhurandhar’ Becomes Its Most Pirated Film

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : The ban imposed on the Indian film Dhurandhar in Pakistan and several Gulf nations has done little to halt its growing box office success. Instead, the movie has sparked a digital storm across Pakistan, revealing a striking lack of control by the ISI over the country’s online domain.

The film, which focuses on three major themes — the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the internal gang wars in Lyari — has deeply angered Pakistan’s security establishment. The narrative exposes Pakistan’s alleged terror networks and depicts Lyari as a hotbed of crime and violence. In response, Pakistan has banned the film and attempted to block all forms of access. Yet these efforts appear to have backfired.

According to intelligence sources, more than 2 million illegal downloads of Dhurandhar have been recorded in Pakistan within just two weeks, making it the most pirated movie in the country’s history. It has surpassed the piracy numbers of major films such as 2.0 and Raees. The ban may have cost the filmmakers between ₹50–60 crore in revenue, but in return, the film has achieved something no publicity campaign could — widespread exposure inside Pakistan.

For Indian viewers and policymakers, this is being perceived as a psychological victory. Despite Pakistan’s restrictions, the movie’s central message — portraying Pakistan as a terror-driven establishment — is now circulating freely among its citizens.

The film’s depiction of Lyari has created the deepest irritation within Pakistan. Driven by a desire to reshape public perception, the Sindh government has fast-tracked a local film titled Mera Lyari. Scheduled for release next month, the movie intends to counter what Pakistan calls negative propaganda.

Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh’s Senior Provincial Minister for Information, attacked the Indian film industry on X, saying:
“‘Dhurandhar’ is another example of Indian propaganda targeting Pakistan, especially Lyari. Lyari is not violence — it is culture, peace, talent, and resilience. Our film Mera Lyari will show the true face of the region: peace, prosperity, and pride.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have made extensive attempts to track and suppress online piracy. Despite this, torrent links, Telegram channels, underground websites, VPN networks, and illegal streaming platforms continue to thrive. Cyber experts report that servers located in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Malaysia are being used to bypass Pakistani surveillance, allowing viewers to download and watch the film with ease.

The massive digital footprint has revealed a growing curiosity among Pakistani citizens — not just about the movie’s storyline, but also about India’s perspective on events involving their own country. Screenshots, short clips, memes, and social media reels created by Pakistanis underline this trend. Some viewers disagree with the narrative, yet many have praised the cast and performances.

On social media, ISI-linked accounts and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) are circulating edited clips of the film to counter India’s messaging. Analysts believe these efforts reflect the establishment’s defensive posture and concern over the movie’s impact.

To add to the controversy, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has filed a court case in Karachi against the filmmakers, claiming unauthorised use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto. The petition seeks an FIR against the film’s cast and crew, further heightening political tensions surrounding the release.

Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an undercover Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates Lyari to dismantle terror networks backed by the ISI. The film features a powerful ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi.

Despite the ban — or perhaps because of it — the movie has entered the cultural and political mainstream in Pakistan in a way few Indian films ever have. With soaring piracy rates, rising public curiosity, and mounting frustration within Pakistan’s establishment, Dhurandhar has become more than a blockbuster drama. It has turned into a cross-border digital movement — and one that the ISI appears unable to contain.