Box Office Success and Controversy Surround Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’

Staff Reporter

Aditya Dhar’s political spy-thriller film Dhurandhar has attracted audiences since its release. Within just seven days of its premiere on December 5, the movie grossed over ₹200 crore, establishing a strong box office presence.

According to analysts, the film earned nearly ₹207 crore in India in its first week, approaching the record of Dhar’s previous hit Uri, which grossed ₹244 crore.

The story begins with the 1999 Kandahar plane hijacking and gradually depicts terrorist attacks on India’s Parliament and in Mumbai. When conventional strategies fail to stop cross-border terrorism, India’s intelligence agency takes alternative measures.

In Karachi’s Lyari district, an Indian spy, Hamza (played by Ranbir Singh), goes undercover, facing one challenge after another in his mission to eliminate terrorism. The film has been praised for its high-intensity action, suspense, and strong performances. Supporting actors include Akshay Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. Akshay Khanna’s mysterious character has sparked particular discussion.

Controversy surrounds whether characters are based on real individuals. Many see similarities between Akshay Khanna’s character and Pakistani criminal Rehman Dakait, and between Hamza and the late Indian Army officer Major Mohit Sharma. Filmmakers deny these claims.

In Pakistan, the film faced criticism for exaggerating Karachi’s gang conflicts and linking them to international terrorism, overlooking local social and economic causes. Allegations of excessive nationalism and patriarchy in the film have led to online trolling, affecting critics like Anupama Chopra and actor Hrithik Roshan, who voiced mild political dissent.

Dhurandhar has thus become both a cultural and political discussion point. Analysts predict that discussions, praise, and criticism will continue until the release of Dhurandhar 2 next year.