Ever since the announcement of the movie Dhurandhar, people on social media started saying that the film looks less like fiction and more like propaganda.
The biggest reason is that many characters in the film look similar to real soldiers, gangsters, intelligence officers, and terror cases from the past.
The makers have said the movie is fictional, but viewers believe several roles played by **Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal feel inspired by real incidents.
Here is a fact-based deep look at real events, possible inspirations, and why the movie is being called propaganda.
Is Dhurandhar based on a true story?
Director Aditya Dhar has clarified that the film is not a biopic, but it is inspired by real events from India-Pakistan conflict, terror attacks, and intelligence operations.
The story timeline in the film looks similar to real events like:
- 1999 IC-814 hijacking
- 2001 Parliament attack
- 2008 Mumbai attacks
- Kashmir encounters in 2000s
- Karachi gang wars
- covert intelligence missions
Because real history is used, many viewers feel the movie has political messaging.
Ranveer Singh character — why people linked him to Major Mohit Sharma
Many viewers believe the undercover agent played by Ranveer Singh looks similar to real Indian Army officer Major Mohit Sharma.
Real facts about Major Mohit Sharma
- Born: 13 January 1978
- Indian Army Para Special Forces officer
- Operation location: Kupwara, Kashmir
- Date of death: 21 March 2009
- How he died: killed during encounter with terrorists
- Award: Ashok Chakra (posthumous)
His family reportedly raised concerns that the film story looks similar to his missions, but the makers denied direct connection.
Because of this case, people started saying the movie mixes fiction with real heroes.
Sanjay Dutt character — believed to be inspired by intelligence handlers
The role played by Sanjay Dutt in the film appears to be a senior handler guiding covert operations.
There is no official confirmation, but viewers believe the character may be inspired by senior intelligence officers involved in anti-terror missions in the 1990s–2010s.
India had many covert operations after:
- Kargil War 1999
- Parliament attack 2001
- Mumbai attack 2008
Many officers involved in such missions remain secret, and some died during service, but their identities were never publicly revealed.
Because the film shows hidden operations, viewers feel it reflects real history.
Akshaye Khanna character — similarities with Karachi gang war criminals
The role played by Akshaye Khanna looks like a powerful crime figure connected to terror networks.
Some viewers say the character looks similar to gang leaders involved in Karachi’s Lyari gang wars.
One real criminal often discussed in news related to such conflicts is:
Uzair Baloch (example often compared by viewers)
- Karachi gang leader
- Arrested in 2016
- Accused of murder, kidnapping, and links with political groups
- Not dead (as per latest public reports)
During Karachi operations in the 2000s–2010s, many gang members were killed in police encounters, which may have inspired movie scenes.
The makers have not confirmed any real name, but the background feels realistic.
Arjun Rampal character — ISI officer type role
The role played by Arjun Rampal looks like a Pakistani intelligence officer.
The film shows rivalry between Indian agencies and Pakistan intelligence, which reminds viewers of real tensions after:
- 1999 Kargil conflict
- 2001 Parliament attack
- 2008 Mumbai attacks
- cross-border spy cases
There is no proof that the character is based on a real officer, but the story matches real geopolitical events.
Because of this, critics say the film shows one-sided nationalism.
Real timeline used in the movie
| Year | Real event | Why viewers connect it to film |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | IC-814 hijacking | terror background |
| 2001 | Parliament attack | start of spy conflict |
| 2008 | Mumbai attacks | emotional turning point |
| 2009 | Major Mohit Sharma death | similar army missions |
| 2010s | Karachi gang wars | villain story style |
| 2016+ | anti-terror ops | modern timeline |
Using real dates makes the film feel like real history instead of fiction.
Why some people call Dhurandhar propaganda
Critics say this because:
- Real attacks are shown in dramatic way
- India shown as hero in most scenes
- Pakistan shown as enemy
- Real timeline used with fictional story
- Characters look similar to real people
When movies use real politics and real conflicts, viewers often call them propaganda even if they are fictional.
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Why others say it is not propaganda
Supporters say:
- Film never claims to be true story
- Spy movies always show patriotism
- Real events are public history
- No character officially confirmed as real person
So legally, the movie is fiction, but the realistic style creates debate.
Final Verdict
After fact-based research:
✔ Movie is fictional
✔ Inspired by real attacks and operations
✔ One real soldier case caused controversy
✔ Villains look similar to real gangsters
✔ Timeline matches real history
Because of this mix, some viewers call Dhurandhar propaganda, while others call it realistic cinema.
