The teaser of the new Bollywood film Dhurandhar has sparked anger among Pakistanis. The film is perceived as being made against Pakistan, with its teaser presenting a negative narrative that many in Pakistan’s public and political circles have termed as propaganda.
Adding to the outrage, the teaser features Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) flags and banners displaying images of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, which have further inflamed sentiments in Pakistan.
The anger stems from a combination of inaccurate depiction of Benazir Bhutto’s age and era, possible negative characterization in the plot, and the charged political context between the two nations. These elements fuel a perception in Pakistan that the film is disrespectful to a major national figure
Dhurandhar is an action-thriller directed by Indian filmmakers, set against the backdrop of Indo-Pak relations. The film’s plot revolves around an Indian hero who allegedly fights terrorism inside Pakistan. The teaser portrays Pakistan in a negative light, which has been deemed unacceptable by Pakistani citizens and analysts alike. Experts argue that the film is part of a wider propaganda effort aimed at maligning Pakistan’s society and political institutions.
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister and the first female leader in the Muslim world, was a former chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Her political legacy and assassination in 2007 are pivotal events in Pakistan’s history. The use of PPP flags and her images in the film’s teaser has deeply hurt the sentiments of Pakistanis.
A PPP spokesperson condemned the teaser, stating that the film attempts to distort Pakistan’s political history and national symbols. “Benazir Bhutto is a revered leader for us, and the unauthorized use of her image in such a context is unacceptable,” the spokesperson added.
Following the teaser’s release, the hashtag #BoycottDhurandhar# began trending on social media. Pakistani users have strongly condemned the film, labelling it as anti-Pakistan propaganda. One user commented, “Bollywood has the right to make films, but defaming our political figures and parties is reprehensible.”
Bollywood has faced similar accusations in the past with films like Phantom, The Kashmir Files, and Ek Tha Tiger, which were criticized for promoting anti-Pakistan narratives. Dhurandhar is now being seen as another addition to this list.
The teaser has triggered widespread outrage in Pakistan, with political parties and citizens alike denouncing it for its perceived propaganda and misuse of Benazir Bhutto’s imagery. The controversy is likely to escalate further as the film’s release approaches, potentially adding strain to Pakistan-India relations.
While the complete storyline of Dhurandhar remains unclear, Indian media reports suggest that the plot will revolve around a top-secret mission by an Indian intelligence officer who uncovers major conspiracies related to national security.
It is also worth noting that actor Ranveer Singh faced criticism for waving a Pakistani flag during the filming of Dhurandhar. The incident sparked backlash from Indian social media users, some of whom even called for a boycott of the film.
According to Indian media, the shooting of Dhurandhar is ongoing in a village near Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab. Short video clips and images from the filming location have surfaced online. In one viral video, Ranveer Singh appears in a villainous look with long hair and mascara-lined eyes. A Pakistani flag is visible in the background, waving on a wall due to the wind.
Following the circulation of this video, social media users lashed out at both the film’s crew and Ranveer Singh, demanding a boycott. Some users also criticized local authorities and the Indian government, questioning how the national flag of an “enemy country” was permitted to be hoisted on Indian soil.
