The sequel premiered internationally on Netflix on May 14 and rapidly climbed to the number one trending position on Netflix Pakistan. The buzz surrounding the release intensified after Pakistani content creator Maviya Umer Farooqui uploaded a video suggesting that the overwhelming excitement among viewers caused streaming disruptions on the platform.
Viral clip grabs internet attention
In the now-viral video, Farooqui claimed that audiences in Pakistan had stayed awake until midnight waiting for the film to become available online. The clip showed Netflix buffering repeatedly while the creator commented on the situation.
“Pakistan mein aaj hi Dhurandhar release hui hai aur server crash ho gaya,” he said in the video while reacting dramatically to the buffering screen. The creator also suggested that the film had generated extraordinary excitement among Pakistani viewers despite restrictions on Indian theatrical releases in the country.
The video was widely reposted by fan pages and entertainment accounts, with many users sharing memes and jokes about the supposed “Netflix crash.” Several posts humorously described the situation as proof of the film’s massive popularity in Pakistan.
Social media is divided over ‘server crash’ claims
While fans celebrated the viral narrative, many users online questioned whether the streaming issue was genuinely linked to unusually high traffic or whether it was simply a routine technical glitch exaggerated for engagement.
Reddit discussions around the incident gained traction as users debated the authenticity of the claims. Some users pointed out that temporary buffering issues are common during major streaming releases, while others argued that the scale of online conversation itself reflected the strong interest in Bollywood films among Pakistani audiences.
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Despite the scepticism, the film reportedly continued trending at the top of Netflix Pakistan’s charts after release, further fuelling conversations online.
Cross-border popularity of Bollywood content
The online buzz around Dhurandhar: The Revenge has once again highlighted the popularity of Bollywood films among audiences in Pakistan, even though Indian movies face restrictions in Pakistani theatres. OTT platforms have increasingly become the primary way for viewers across borders to access Indian films and series.
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Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy-action thriller stars Ranveer Singh alongside R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt. The sequel had already performed strongly at the box office before arriving on streaming platforms.
The film’s international OTT release has now extended its popularity beyond theatres, with viral clips and fan reactions continuing to dominate social media discussions. Reports suggest that the movie is expected to release on JioHotstar in India next month, adding to the anticipation among domestic streaming audiences as well.
