Pakistani Viewer Questions Rehman Dakait Portrayal in Dhurandhar Review
Pakistani reviewer praises Dhurandhar but criticizes glorification of Rehman Dakait character.
A review posted by a Pakistani movie enthusiast has ignited discussion on social media over Dhurandhar and its depiction of real-life criminal figures. While the film has been widely appreciated for its direction, performances, and technical finesse, the reviewer expressed discomfort over what he perceived as the glorification of Rehman Dakait, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna.
The reviewer, who identified himself as a Karachi resident, shared his thoughts on Reddit, noting that the film’s partial setting in Lyari made the experience deeply personal. He praised director Aditya Dhar’s storytelling, the cinematography, and the overall engagement of the film, calling it a well-crafted and compelling watch. However, his concerns surfaced when the narrative shifted focus to Rehman Dakait’s character arc.
According to the reviewer, although Dhurandhar is a work of fiction, the portrayal of Rehman Dakait felt excessively heroic and detached from reality. He explained that growing up in Karachi, he was aware of the real individual’s violent past, making it difficult to separate the cinematic character from real events. To illustrate his point, he questioned how audiences in India would react if a figure like Dawood Ibrahim were portrayed in a similarly glorified manner.
Also Read: Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar Becomes Highest-Grossing Indian Film of 2025
The reviewer suggested that altering the character’s name could have reduced the unease. He also pointed out minor factual inaccuracies, such as the depiction of a Karachi police officer wearing a bulletproof vest, which contradicted widely known accounts. Despite these issues, he concluded by stating that the film remained enjoyable and technically impressive.
Another Reddit user from Karachi echoed similar sentiments, praising the performances but criticizing the film for leaning too heavily into fiction. This reviewer felt that Rehman Dakait was presented as more powerful and charismatic than he actually was, turning a brutal gang leader into a larger-than-life figure. While acknowledging the dark history of the Lyari gang wars, he appreciated the film’s authentic portrayal of Karachi’s atmosphere.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian operative working undercover in Pakistan, alongside Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait. The film has been a major commercial success, earning approximately ₹571.75 crore domestically and crossing ₹870 crore worldwide, even as debates around its narrative choices continue to gain momentum.
Also Read: Why Tamannaah Bhatia Was Not Cast in Dhurandhar’s Hit Song ‘Shararat’
