Director Aditya Dhar, known for patriotic films like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Article 370, recently addressed the ban on his blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar in Pakistan, dismissing its impact with the candid remark, "Farak Nahin Padta" (It doesn't matter). The comment, which translates to "It makes no difference," came in response to questions about the film's restricted release in the neighboring country due to its portrayal of cross-border espionage and terrorism themes.
Dhurandhar, released in late 2025 and starring Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian agent infiltrating Karachi's underworld, became a massive commercial success in India despite controversies. The film, produced under Jio Studios and B62 Studios, faced bans not only in Pakistan but also in several Gulf countries over allegations of anti-Pakistan messaging. Pakistani authorities cited the narrative's depiction of elements linked to terrorism and local figures as reasons for the prohibition, a move consistent with longstanding restrictions on Indian films perceived as sensitive.
In an interview clip widely shared on social media, Dhar expressed indifference to the ban, emphasizing that the film does not target the Pakistani people. He reportedly stated, "Mujhe koi farak nahin padta. Agar woh trust karte hain and ek baar ye film dekhein ki iss film mein Pakistani janta ke khilaaf kuch nahin bola hai" (It doesn't matter to me. If they trust and watch the film once, they'll see that nothing has been said against the Pakistani people). This reflects Dhar's stance that the story focuses on intelligence operations rather than broad vilification, aligning with his track record of films drawing from real-world security issues.
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The remark has sparked discussions amid the upcoming release of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge on March 19, 2026, which continues the saga with Ranveer Singh reprising his role in a pan-India multilingual format. The sequel builds on the first film's momentum, featuring high-stakes action and themes of revenge against terror networks. Despite the bans, Dhurandhar gained viewership in Pakistan via unofficial channels and later on Netflix, where it topped charts in the country, with some viewers praising its research and nostalgic elements rather than viewing it as overtly hostile.
Dhar's nonchalant response underscores a broader trend in Indian cinema where creators prioritize domestic audiences and box-office performance over international markets with restrictive policies. As Dhurandhar 2 gears up for release, the director's comment reinforces his focus on storytelling authenticity, even as geopolitical sensitivities continue to influence global distribution.
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