Banned but Trending: Dhurandhar 2 Finds Massive Viewership in Pakistan Despite Restrictions
New Delhi, March 19: Despite being banned in Pakistan, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has found a massive audience in the country, trending at number one on Netflix Pakistan and circulating widely through piracy. Social media buzz and viral memes highlight how fans in Pakistan are using workarounds like VPNs to watch the Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller.
Viral Meme Captures Fan Workaround
One meme humorously captured the situation: “Dhurandhar-2 has released in theatre. Meanwhile, Pakistani: VPN on karo, VPN on karo”. The film’s popularity online underlines the high curiosity and demand, despite its theatrical ban.
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OTT Success and Piracy Surge
Dhurandhar 2 premiered on Netflix on January 30, nearly eight weeks after its Indian theatrical debut. Sources confirmed to NDTV that it quickly climbed to the top spot on the streaming platform in Pakistan, highlighting the continued demand for Indian content in the country.
However, the ban has also led to a spike in piracy. Reports indicate that at least 2 million illegal downloads occurred in Pakistan within two weeks. YouTuber Karl Rock documented pirated copies being sold openly at Karachi’s Rainbow Centre for as little as PKR 50 (approximately Rs 16). In his video, a shopkeeper confirmed the availability of the film despite its official ban.
Controversy Over Sensitive Subjects
The film’s content, covering the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, and the Lyari gang wars, reportedly drew ire from the Pakistan establishment. Sindh’s Senior Provincial Minister for Information, Sharjeel Inam Memon, criticised its depiction of Lyari, calling the portrayal “negative propaganda” and announcing a counter-film, Mera Lyari, to showcase the district’s culture and resilience.
Additionally, a petition was filed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in a Karachi court over the depiction of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the film.
Box Office Milestone in India
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has created history in India. According to trade portal Sacnilk, the film crossed ₹1,000 crore in India, becoming the first Indian film to reach this milestone in a single language. It joins the elite list of blockbusters including Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (₹1,417 crore), KGF: Chapter 2 (₹1,001 crore), and Pushpa 2: The Rule (₹1,471.1 crore).
However, the absence of a release in Middle Eastern markets reportedly cost the film an estimated $10 million in potential revenue. Overseas distributor Pranab Kapadia told CNN-News18, “Traditionally, action films have performed very well in the Middle East. Therefore, we feel it should have received a release there.”
Star Cast and Direction
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 features Ranveer Singh in the lead, alongside R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal. The film’s thrilling narrative, strong performances, and impactful music have made it one of the most talked-about films of 2026.
Despite political and regulatory hurdles, Dhurandhar 2 continues to attract viewers across borders, showing how compelling content can transcend restrictions and capture audiences worldwide.
