Dhurandhar, Banned In Theatres, Now Trending At No. 1 In Pakistan On Netflix, Wins Praise From Viewers

The Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar has once again made headlines, this time for its strong response in Pakistan.

The film, which did not release in Pakistan or the Middle East during its theatrical run, is now trending at number one on Netflix Pakistan just days after its worldwide digital release.

This surprising popularity has sparked fresh discussion around the film and the controversy that once surrounded its release.

Film Trends at No. 1 in Pakistan

Soon after its digital premiere on January 30, screenshots began circulating on social media showing Dhurandhar at the top of Netflix Pakistan's trending films list. The movie has reportedly stayed at number one since Saturday, beating several local and international titles.

The film stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian intelligence officer who goes undercover in Pakistan's Lyari area. It mixes real-life references with a fictional storyline based on India's fight against terrorism. Due to existing restrictions, Indian films have not been released in Pakistani theatres for several years, which kept Dhurandhar away from cinemas there.

Positive Response From Pakistani Viewers

Despite earlier claims that the film was "controversial," viewer reactions from Pakistan have been largely positive. Many users praised the storytelling, research, and performances. Some said the movie avoided stereotypes and focused on crime, politics, and power struggles rather than targeting ordinary people.

Several Pakistani viewers also shared that the film did not insult Pakistan or its citizens. Instead, they felt it showed complex realities while also questioning certain political issues on both sides. Many users even said they would watch the film again.

Overseas Earnings and Missed Markets

Before its streaming release, Dhurandhar had already performed strongly at the global box office. The film earned over $33 million overseas despite not releasing in Pakistan and the Middle East. Earlier, a distributor had claimed the film may have lost nearly $10 million due to its absence from these regions. The current Netflix response suggests that estimate may not have been far off.

About the Film and What's Next

Dhurandhar went on to collect ₹1300 crore worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Along with Ranveer Singh, the film features Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal in key roles.

With its strong digital performance now adding to its success story, a sequel to Dhurandhar is scheduled for release on March 19, and expectations are already high among fans on both sides of the border.