The trailer of Aditya Dhar’s upcoming spy thriller Dhurandhar has stirred mixed emotions in Lyari, the historic Karachi neighbourhood where the film’s story is set. The film presents a semi-fictionalised account of the Lyari gang wars of the late 2000s, with Ranveer Singh playing an Indian spy who infiltrates the notorious gangs that once controlled the area. As the trailer gains traction across the subcontinent, residents of Lyari have stepped forward to share their views on how their hometown has been portrayed.
Trailer sparks discussion in Lyari
When the trailer was released earlier this month, viewers immediately recognised the recreated version of Lyari with its iconic arched entrance, narrow lanes, and bustling street life. The film features prominent real-life figures such as Rehman Dakait — played by Akshaye Khanna — and the celebrated Karachi police officer SP Chaudhary Aslam, portrayed by Sanjay Dutt.
The production team reportedly built a detailed set replicating Lyari in India for the shoot. However, the accuracy of this recreation has sparked debate among locals.
Pakistani news channel ARY News recently visited Lyari to gather residents’ reactions, capturing a wide range of opinions.
Locals criticise some portrayals but appreciate the attention
In the televised interaction, several residents expressed disappointment at the filmmakers for not consulting them before recreating the location. One resident said, “India walon ne film bana li hai, humse to poochte. Hum unko dikhaate Lyari ki galiyaan. Rehman Dakait ka bhi bataate.” He added that locals could have provided deeper insights into the real geography and the history of the gangs.
Many also felt that Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait did not resemble the feared gangster, although they praised the recreation of SP Chaudhary Aslam, a figure well known in Karachi’s policing history. Some residents went a step further, inviting the film’s stars to visit Lyari. “Usko batayenge Lyari kya cheez hai,” one man said, extending an invitation to Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Dutt.
Others approve the film’s recreation of Lyari’s atmosphere
Despite the criticism, a significant number of residents felt the film had successfully captured Lyari’s environment, especially the atmosphere of the 2009 gang-war era. One resident, who claimed to have witnessed the worst years of violence, said, “Jaisa inhone shoot kiya hai, waisa hi environment hai Lyari ka.”
This group felt that while the set may not be perfectly accurate, the tone, tension and visual chaos reflected in the trailer closely matched the reality of Lyari during the turbulent years.
The divided responses highlight Lyari’s complex identity — a locality with deep historical roots, vibrant culture, and a past marked by violence, political patronage, and law enforcement crackdowns.
Lyari’s history and the backdrop of Dhurandhar
Lyari is one of Karachi’s oldest inhabited areas, tracing its history back centuries. In the 1980s and 90s, criminal groups gradually tightened their grip over the locality, using it as a base to run organised crime across Karachi. By the mid-2000s, gangs led by men like Rehman Dakait and Uzair Baloch had expanded their influence, allegedly enjoying political support and local protection.
The situation escalated until Karachi police officer SP Chaudhary Aslam launched an aggressive crackdown against these groups in the late 2000s. These events form the historical backbone of Dhurandhar, though the film introduces fictional layers involving intelligence agencies and India–Pakistan tensions.
The film, releasing on 5 December, also stars Arjun Rampal as an ISI Major and R. Madhavan as an Indian intelligence official, further amplifying the cross-border espionage narrative.
Conclusion
With its blend of real history and fictional intelligence drama, Dhurandhar has already sparked conversation on both sides of the border. While Lyari residents differ in their reactions, the trailer has undeniably renewed public interest in one of Karachi’s most storied localities. Whether the full film wins the approval of Lyari’s people remains to be seen, but it has succeeded in bringing their neighbourhood — and its turbulent past — back into the spotlight.