Is Dhurandhar Based On True Story? Redditors Link Ranveer Singh's Film To Karachi’s Lyari Gang | Know What Is It About

Dhurandhar trailer sets the stage with a lineup of powerful characters, each tied to the film’s intense narrative. It opens with Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal), introduced as the Angel of Death, a man obsessed with 'making India bleed.' Modelled after India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan) appears as the Charioteer of Karma, convinced that ending terrorism requires infiltrating Pakistan—particularly Lyari, described as the 'very core of terrorism.' The trailer then presents Abdul Rehman Baloch, formerly Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) as the Apex Predator, followed by SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan (real-life Karachi counterterrorism officer, portrayed as The Jinn) whose legacy looms large. At the center of this explosive world stands Ranveer Singh as The Wrath of God, deployed to eliminate the terror networks believed to originate in Lyari. These character lineup has fueled growing theories that Dhurandhar draws from real events linked to Karachi’s Lyari gang.

Dhurandhar is based on real-life incidents, as per the makers. They haven't disclosed the precise procedure, though, probably because of security concerns. This maintains a connection to the actual history of Indian espionage while allowing for cinematic storytelling.

Dhurandhar reportedly takes inspiration from Operation Lyari, one of Pakistan’s longest-running secret activities. This large-scale operation (between 2012 and 2023), involved Pakistani intelligence agencies entering and destroying a major gang network operating in and around Karachi. Over more than a decade, investigators pursued and ultimately destroyed the group.

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All About Karachi's Lyari Gang

Lyari, one of Karachi's oldest neighborhoods, was formerly a quiet, lower-class neighborhood known for its African-American population and their passion for football, according to Hindustan Times. However, with time, it transformed into a conflict zone. It became similar to a hotspot for the trafficking of weapons and drugs.

(Image: YouTube)

The report claimed that Rehman Dakait ruled the underworld of Lyari. He was formerly regarded as a Robin Hood and was close to former PM of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. While his group engaged in prostitution, kidnapping, and drug and alcohol sales, he oversaw schools and hospitals. He had 33 dens for illicit operations like drug sales, gambling, and local beer trafficking in Lyari alone. Rehman Dakait tightened his hold on the region and won Lyari over with his wealth.

Given its proximity to the Baloch region, it is quite likely that India attempts to seize control of the escalating gang conflicts in Lyari in an effort to bolster the Baloch militants and manage the flow of weapons to the rebels and drugs away from India, as per Redditors claim.

Due to its enormous scope, there have been rumours that the movie will be released in two parts, making it one of Bollywood's most eagerly awaited action epics of 2025.

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What To Expect From Dhurandhar?

Dhurandhar, which honours the unsung soldiers of India's intelligence community, is expected to be both violently patriotic and emotionally explosive. Aditya Dhar's directorial, which explores India's intelligence world from the viewpoint of the nation's top security wits, seems to combine the grit of espionage with the emotional weight of patriotism with its blend of rock-infused background score and action-packed sequences.