Despite being officially banned during its theatrical run in Pakistan, Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar has found its way into the country’s pirated markets, where copies of the film are being sold openly at throwaway prices.
The development came to light after New Zealand-based YouTuber Karl Rock shared a video from Karachi’s well-known Rainbow Centre, documenting the sale of pirated versions of the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller. In the clip, Rock is seen walking through the market before stumbling upon shops displaying Dhurandhar on their screens.
“Indian films are banned in Pakistan, but look what I found,” Rock says in the video, pointing to the poster of the film. A shopkeeper confirms that it is a recent release and quotes the price of the pirated copy at PKR 50, roughly ₹16. Reacting to the price, Rock remarks, “Bahut sasta (It’s very cheap).”
A ban that didn’t stop demand
Dhurandhar, which released in Indian theatres on December 5 last year, was barred from theatrical exhibition in Pakistan and several Gulf countries. However, the film became accessible to Pakistani viewers after its Netflix release earlier this year.
The video shared by Rock has since circulated widely on social media, drawing reactions from viewers on both sides of the border. Some users questioned the long-standing restrictions on cultural exchange, while others noted the irony of the film’s popularity in Pakistan despite the ban.
Earlier this month, Dhurandhar topped Netflix’s Global Top 10 non-English films list following its digital release. The film also ranked No. 1 on the platform in both India and Pakistan, underlining its cross-border appeal.
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About the film
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Rakesh Bedi. Set largely in Karachi’s Lyari area, the film traces covert intelligence operations against the backdrop of key geopolitical events, including the Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Riding on its box-office and OTT success, the franchise is set to continue with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19. The sequel is expected to clash with Yash’s pan-India release Toxic.
