Banned 'Dhurandhar' Dominates Pakistan's Digital Space, Rattles Establishment

• Indian spy thriller Dhurandhar, banned in Pakistan and six Gulf nations for its "anti-Pakistan" stance, is being widely consumed via piracy links and torrents across Pakistan.
• The film's depiction of Karachi's Lyari as a "terrorist war zone" and use of PPP flags/Benazir Bhutto imagery has sparked a diplomatic row and legal challenge in Pakistan.
• Pakistan's ISI and ISPR are reportedly using mini-clips from the banned film for "Fifth Generation" digital warfare, manipulating content for local propaganda.
• Senior Pakistani politicians, including Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, have condemned Dhurandhar as "negative propaganda" maligning Pakistan's image.
• In response, the Sindh government announced "Mera Layari," a film slated for January 2026, to present an "authentic story" of Lyari and counter Bollywood's narrative.

Why It Matters: Despite a ban, 'Dhurandhar' thrives digitally in Pakistan, sparking controversy and a local counter-narrative.