Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar becomes most pirated Indian film in Pakistan despite ban

Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, banned in Pakistan for sensitive content, has been illegally downloaded over 2 million times in just two weeks, becoming the most pirated Indian film in recent history while its music gains unexpected popularity.

Post Published By: Alivia Mukherjee
Updated : 20 December 2025, 1:27 AM IST
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Mumbai: Despite being officially banned in Pakistan, Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar has become a cultural sensation across the country. Reports suggest that the film has been illegally downloaded more than 2 million times in the first two weeks after its release. This figure exceeds piracy records of previous hits such as Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees and Rajinikanth’s 2.0, highlighting the movie’s widespread underground popularity.

Reasons Behind the Ban

Pakistani authorities imposed the ban due to the film’s portrayal of sensitive historical events, cross-border terrorism, and espionage narratives set in Karachi’s Lyari district. Officials expressed concern over the depiction of internal issues and alleged anti-Pakistan themes. The ban on Dhurandhar mirrors similar restrictions in several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE.

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Music Gains Unexpected Popularity

Even with the official ban, Dhurandhar has managed to make an impact in Pakistan’s underground and online community. Fans are accessing the film through Torrents, Telegram channels, VPNs, and overseas streaming links. In addition, the soundtrack has drawn attention, particularly the track FA9LA, featuring Akshaye Khanna’s character. A viral video showing Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari being welcomed to an event while the track played in the background highlighted the film’s unexpected resonance, despite being prohibited.

Box Office Performance in India

While Dhurandhar faces a ban in Pakistan, it continues to perform at the Indian box office. The spy thriller opened with Rs 28 crore on its first day and collected Rs 23 crore on its second Thursday, the 14th day after release. According to industry trackers, the film has earned Rs 460.25 crore domestically and Rs 680 crore worldwide within two weeks, demonstrating strong commercial performance despite mixed reviews.

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Underground Popularity Highlights Cross-Border Appeal

Dhurandhar’s success in Pakistan despite the ban underscores the demand for Indian films across borders. The combination of thrilling espionage, high-profile actors, and catchy music has allowed the movie to bypass official restrictions, reflecting the resilience of fan-driven distribution and the cultural impact of Indian cinema in South Asia.

 

Location : 
  • Mumbai

Published : 
  • 20 December 2025, 1:27 AM IST