Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has captured audience attention with its gripping portrayal of Rehman Dakait, a feared ganglord from Lyari. The film’s applause comes not for action sequences but for Akshaye Khanna’s chilling performance as the villain, whose mere presence electrifies theatres. Rehman, born Abdul Rehman in 1976, grew up in a crime-ridden neighbourhood of Karachi. From a young age, he was involved in crime, committing violent acts including murder, and eventually killing his mother in 1995 under disputed circumstances.
After escaping jail, Rehman rebuilt his empire, controlling drugs, extortion, and illegal arms while amassing wealth, political influence, and a large family. His rise triggered deadly gang wars, leaving over 3,500 dead in Lyari. Rehman later rebranded himself as Sardar Abdul Rahman Baloch and formed the Peoples Aman Committee to gain political legitimacy. The Lyari Task Force, led by Chaudhry Aslam, eventually tracked and killed him in a controversial police encounter in 2009.
Dhurandhar dramatizes this life, blending real events with cinematic tension. The film has set box office records, earning Rs 53 crore on December 13 and Rs 59 crore on December 14, totaling around Rs 112 crore for the weekend and Rs 351 crore overall since its release on December 5. The cast includes Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. Dhurandhar 2 is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.
The film reflects the violence, power struggles, and political connections in Lyari, making viewers reflect on the real-life story behind the screen. The cheers in theatres are a reminder of how cinema can dramatize reality, yet the story itself is far more disturbing than any film can fully capture.
English
