PPP accuses 'Dhurandhar' of defaming party, files court petition over trailer

Seeks registration of FIR against film’s director, producers, actors, and relevant staff

A constitutional petition has been filed in a Karachi court against the Indian film Dhurandhar for unauthorised use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) flag, and party rally footage in its trailer. The petition also accuses the film of portraying the PPP as supportive of terrorists.

The petition was filed by PPP activist Muhammad Amir in the District and Sessions Court (South) in Karachi. It seeks an FIR against the film’s director, producers, actors, and other relevant staff involved in creating and promoting the movie.

The petition names director Aditya Dhar, producers Lokesh Dhar and Jyoti Kishore Deshpande, and actors Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Beni. It also lists cinematographer Vikash Nolcha, editor Shiv Kumar V Panicker, and other unnamed crew members as proposed accused.

According to the petition, the official trailer includes images of the late former prime minister and PPP visuals without legal permission. It alleges that the film portrays the PPP as sympathetic to terrorists and labels Karachi’s Lyari area as a “terrorist war zone,” which the petitioner argues is defamatory, misleading, and harmful to Pakistan’s reputation.

The petitioner contends that the trailer fosters hatred, contempt, and incitement against the PPP, its leadership, and supporters. He cites sections 499, 500, 502, 504, 505, 153‑A, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relate to defamation, criminal intimidation, provocation to cause rioting, and promoting enmity between groups.

Amir said he had previously submitted a written complaint to the Darakhshan police station SHO, but police did not register a case or initiate legal action, prompting him to petition the court instead.

The petition requests that the court order the police to immediately register an FIR, instruct the SSP South to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, and ensure that all responsible individuals are named in the probe relating to the film.