Here’s how Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar is shining in Pakistan despite ban

Dhurandhar might have been officially banned in several nations, including Pakistan and the Gulf countries, but looks like the film’s popularity is soaring, thanks to unauthorised digital access. Ranveer Singh’s spy action film has become massively popular in Pakistan especially, thanks to illegal downloads.

According to multiple reports, the Aditya Dhar‑directed thriller has been illegally downloaded more than 2 million times in Pakistan within about 12 days of its release, making it the most pirated Indian film in that market, surpassing previous records held by Raees and 2.0.

Dhurandhar was banned in Pakistan, and in some Gulf countries, due to its portrayal of events linked to terrorism and internal conflicts involving Pakistan, including references to Lyari and historical incidents. However, efforts to block access have not stopped viewers from finding it online.

More from Entertainment

Netflix’s ‘Emily In Paris’ Season 5 Review: From Paris to Rome, how Lily Collins aka Emily’s life changes 'Mrs. Deshpande' Web-Series Review: Madhuri Dixit saves the day for a yet another middling whodunit

Reports say Pakistanis are accessing the film through torrent websites, Telegram channels, underground streaming links and VPN services, often routed through servers in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Malaysia.

The surge in illegal downloads highlights strong demand and curiosity among Pakistani audiences despite the ban, and suggests that attempts to suppress the film’s reach have been largely ineffective. Piracy trackers and trade sources report that Dhurandhar has set new benchmarks for unauthorised downloads in the region.

Social media has reflected the film’s underground popularity, with clips, memes and discussions circulating online. Some viewers have praised the performances and storytelling, while others have criticised the narrative as political or provocative.

Dhurandhar is a big‑budget Indian spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar and was released on December 5, 2025. The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, with a strong ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi in key roles. Inspired by fictionalised accounts of covert intelligence operations and geopolitical conflict, the story follows an Indian intelligence officer on a dangerous mission involving terrorism and cross‑border intrigue. Produced by Aditya Dhar alongside Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar has become one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.