Examining Dhurandhar: Separating Facts from Fiction and Propaganda

Indian Spy Thriller ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Shatters Box Office Records Amid Political Controversy

Aditya Dhar’s action-packed spy thriller “Dhurandhar 2” has emerged as a cinematic juggernaut, amassing over Rs. 900 crores in just six days of its theatrical release. Industry analysts predict the film will cross the Rs. 2,000 crore mark, potentially surpassing the collections of blockbuster franchises like “Bahubali” and “Pushpa.”

The sequel has garnered widespread acclaim for its technical excellence, featuring standout performances from its cast, adrenaline-fueled storytelling, immersive cinematography, and powerful dialogue. Critics have particularly noted the film’s authentic-looking locations and captivating background score.

However, beneath its commercial success, “Dhurandhar 2” has ignited intense debate across India. The film represents a significant departure from traditional Bollywood spy thrillers, which typically depicted Pakistan with nuance—acknowledging “rogue elements” while suggesting the presence of reasonable figures seeking peace with India.

Unlike its predecessors featuring stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, or Hrithik Roshan, the “Dhurandhar” duology adopts an uncompromising, hyper-nationalist stance toward Pakistan, directly accusing the neighboring country of sponsoring terrorism within India’s borders.

The narrative follows Jaskirat Singh Rangi, who becomes the spy Hamza Ali Mazari after being recruited by Indian Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal. Infiltrating a Baloch crime syndicate in Pakistan, Hamza gains access to terrorists, politicians, and ISI officials, allowing him to relay critical intelligence back to India.

What distinguishes “Dhurandhar” from similar infiltration narratives like Govind Nihalani’s 1994 film “Droh Kaal” is its blurring of reality and fiction. The film incorporates real-life events, locations, and personalities—including characters based on actual Pakistani figures like Rehman Dakait, Uzair Dakait, and SP Chaudhary Aslam. The character of Ajay Sanyal is widely recognized as inspired by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Critics have pointed to the film’s apparent political bias, particularly in its sequel. The narrative suggests that while Indian operatives risked their lives abroad, previous administrations failed to prevent terrorist attacks. More controversially, the film implies that Pakistan’s ISI funded both the Congress party and civil society organizations to influence Indian elections.

One character’s line has sparked particular debate: “Hindustaniyonka sabse badaa dushman Hindustanee hi hai, Pakistan dusre number pe aata hai” (Indians themselves are India’s greatest enemy; Pakistan comes second).

The sequel appears to celebrate the current administration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, portraying his election as a turning point in India’s fight against terrorism. It frames controversial policies like demonetization as strategic masterstrokes against Pakistan’s counterfeit currency operations—a justification that differs from the government’s official reasoning at the time.

Political figures have already weighed in on the film’s impact. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, expressed confidence that viewers of “Dhurandhar” would support the BJP in upcoming elections.

Critics, however, point out historical inaccuracies in the film’s political narrative. Several major terrorist incidents—including the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack—occurred during BJP administrations, not Congress ones. They also note that India’s foreign intelligence agency, RAW, was established during Indira Gandhi’s Congress government.

Some observers have raised concerns that by portraying Indian agents conducting operations inside Pakistan, “Dhurandhar” inadvertently lends credibility to Pakistani allegations about Indian involvement in violence and separatist movements within its territory. This narrative shift potentially complicates India’s position regarding cases like those of Sarabjit Singh and Kulbushan Jadhav, who were arrested in Pakistan on espionage charges.

As “Dhurandhar 2” continues its record-breaking run, it exemplifies how popular cinema can become a battleground for competing political narratives in contemporary India, blurring entertainment with national identity and geopolitical tensions.