Dhurandhar: Bollywood's Biggest On-Screen/Off-Screen Drama

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, generated significant controversy even before its sequel's release. Early in its off-screen journey, the family of Major Mohit Sharma alleged that the film's storyline heavily borrowed from the decorated soldier's life and covert missions. This led to legal debates about creative liberty versus ethical responsibility, though the CBFC clarified the film was fictional.

The film also faced strong objections from the Baloch diaspora due to its portrayal of Baloch characters and insurgent groups, particularly a dialogue comparing the community to "crocodiles." This resulted in protests and a re-edited version of the film being released. Further criticism arose regarding the inaccurate and stereotypical depiction of Lyari, a neighborhood in Karachi.

Additional controversies included the alleged unauthorized use of Benazir Bhutto's imagery and Ranveer Singh's performance inspired by "Kantara's" ritual, which offended devotees from coastal Karnataka. The film's strong nationalist messaging and portrayal of cross-border tensions led to accusations of it being propaganda, with even Hrithik Roshan disagreeing with its politics.

These issues culminated in several Gulf countries, including UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, refusing to screen the film, impacting its crucial overseas market. While shooting Dhurandhar 2, the production faced municipal violations in Mumbai. More recently, a legal notice was issued over a scene allegedly showing a Sikh character smoking, prompting demands for removal and an apology.