Imagine discovering a blockbuster Indian film, banned in Pakistan, being sold on the streets of Karachi for just Rs 16. That’s exactly what happened to YouTuber Karl Rock, who stumbled upon pirated copies of Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, during his visit to the infamous Rainbow Centre. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the official ban, the film is not only being pirated but also topping Netflix charts in Pakistan. How does this happen? Let’s dive in.
Karl Rock, a New Zealand-born YouTuber married to an Indian, was exploring Karachi’s Rainbow Centre—a notorious hub for pirated content—when he encountered a shopkeeper openly selling copies of Dhurandhar. In the viral video, Rock expresses disbelief, saying, ‘Indian films are banned in Pakistan, but look what I found!’ The shopkeeper confirms it’s a recent release and prices it at PKR 50 (Rs 16 INR). This raises a bigger question: Why is a film allegedly ‘bashing Pakistan’ so popular there?
Adding another layer to the story, Ranveer Singh’s Sindhi roots—his grandparents migrated from Pakistan during Partition—make the film’s reception even more intriguing. Dhurandhar shattered box office records before premiering on Netflix on January 30, where it quickly climbed to the top of the platform’s weekly Top 10 list in both India and Pakistan. And this is the part most people miss: despite the ban, the film’s mass appeal in Pakistan is undeniable, sparking debates on social media.
Indian users were baffled by the irony. One commented, ‘A film bashing Pakistan is being loved in Pakistan, lol.’ Others were surprised by the outdated methods of piracy, with CDs and pen drives still in use. ‘We can still buy films on a pen drive and CD in Pakistan? This trend ended here 10 years ago,’ remarked one user. Another pointed out the paradox: ‘The movie is banned, but it’s trending on Netflix and being pirated freely. Make it make sense.’
Producer Jyoti Deshpande called the film’s success ‘unprecedented,’ noting that despite being released in just one language, it outperformed even South Indian films in viewership. ‘Many in the industry say there’s life before *Dhurandhar and life after Dhurandhar—it’s changed the grammar of storytelling,’* Deshpande said. With Dhurandhar 2 set to release on March 19, the phenomenon is far from over.
But here’s the real question: Does the film’s popularity in Pakistan challenge the narrative of its alleged anti-Pakistan stance? Or does it simply highlight the power of storytelling to transcend borders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
