The Indian spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, has sparked intense controversy in Pakistan over its alleged unauthorised use of late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s images, PPP flags, and rally footage. Released on December 5, 2025, the film—loosely inspired by real events like the 2001 Parliament attack portrays Karachi’s Lyari as a gangster haven, with Khanna’s character Rahman (a fictional gangster backed by political elements) at the center.
A PPP activist filed a constitutional petition in a Karachi court, naming the director, producers, and cast, demanding an FIR for defamation and illegal imagery use. Critics argue the depiction falsely links the PPP to terrorism support, distorting history. Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon slammed it as “negative propaganda,” announcing a counter-film Mera Lyari to showcase the area’s culture and resilience.
Adding fuel, a viral old photograph of Akshaye Khanna posing with Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari has resurfaced, sparking online speculation amid the row. While unrelated to the film’s content—no scene shows Khanna’s character with Bhutto—the timing has amplified debates on cross-border sensitivities.
This Dhurandhar Benazir Bhutto controversy underscores tensions over artistic license in politically charged narratives. Banned in several Gulf countries, the film thrives in India, praised for action but critiqued for jingoism.
