Bollywood never misses a chance: 'Dharindar' becomes latest embarrassment

Viewers, including in India, criticise film for portraying Karachi’s Lyari as war zone

Bollywood’s latest anti-Pakistan propaganda film Dharindar has triggered strong backlash after its trailer release, with much of the criticism coming from Indian social media users.

The trailer portrays Karachi’s Lyari as a war zone, showing Ranveer Singh as a RAW agent entering “hostile” Pakistani territory, while Arjun Rampal appears as a Pakistani intelligence officer.

The film also uses Pakistani political imagery, including a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) rally, photos of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, and party flags, drawing further scrutiny.

Observers in Pakistan note that India’s anti-Pakistan narrative appears to be intensifying, particularly with Bollywood casting Sanjay Dutt as the late SSP Chaudhry Aslam and Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait, choices widely mocked online.

Set for release in early December, Dharindar has already become a source of embarrassment for Bollywood, as viewers, including many in India, criticise its distortions, sensationalism, and unrealistic portrayal of Pakistan.