Dhurandhar Real vs. Reel: The Truth About Mohit Sharma, Rehman Dakait’s Matricide & The Real Spies

Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar has done more than just cross the ₹200 Crore mark in its first week. It has sparked a nationwide debate about the thin line between cinematic liberty and documented history.

Released on December 5, 2025, the film plunges audiences into the gritty underworld of Karachi’s Lyari district. This is a location rarely explored in Indian cinema. But as viewers exit theaters, they are left asking one burning question.

How much of this actually happened?

From the controversy surrounding the protagonist’s resemblance to a real-life martyr to the horrifying brutality of the villain, Dhurandhar is built on a foundation of open secrets. It relies on uncomfortable truths that many would prefer to forget.

Dhurandhar Decoded: The Real Spies and Figures

Standard Bollywood action movies often use generic names for politicians and spies. Dhurandhar does not.

It populates its world with characters based on high-profile, recognizable intelligence and police figures. Understanding who these characters represent adds a new layer of depth to the viewing experience.

Ajay Sanyal is Ajit Doval

R. Madhavan’s character is referred to in the film as the “Charioteer of Karma.” This is a direct nod to Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor.

The film does not use his name. But the clues are unmistakable. The character plays a strategic role in cross-border operations.

He wears the signature spectacles. He espouses a philosophy of “offensive defense.” The film dramatizes Doval’s legendary years as an undercover operative.

It blends his real-life mystique with the fictional narrative. It suggests he was the architect behind the Lyari operation.

SP Chaudhary Aslam is Chaudhary Aslam Khan

Sanjay Dutt plays a chain-smoking, encounter-specialist police officer. He operates in Karachi. This character is based on SP Chaudhary Aslam Khan.

He was Pakistan’s most famous “super cop.” In real life, Chaudhary Aslam was a larger-than-life figure. He was known for his fearless, almost reckless war against the Taliban.

The movie captures his real-life persona perfectly. He was known for surviving multiple assassination attempts. One attempt even destroyed his house.

Tragically, unlike the movie character who might have a different arc, the real Chaudhary Aslam died violently. He was killed in a suicide bombing on the Lyari Expressway in January 2014. The film pays tribute to his complicated legacy.

Major Iqbal is Ilyas Kashmiri

Arjun Rampal’s antagonist role is inspired by Ilyas Kashmiri. He was an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist leader.

The character sports a single eye. This is a direct reference to the real Ilyas Kashmiri. He lost an eye fighting against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Kashmiri was a former Pakistani commando turned militant. He was notorious for his role in coordinating attacks against India.

The movie uses him as the “handler” figure. He serves as the link between the street-level gangs of Lyari and the global geopolitical plot.

Yalina Jamali is a Political Metaphor

The character of Yalina Jamali, played by Sara Arjun, represents the political entanglement in Lyari. She is based on the family members of real politicians like Nabil Gabol.

In real life, these politicians often relied on gangs for votes. This highlights the complex nexus between crime and politics in Karachi.

The Hero Controversy: Is Jaskirat Singh Rangi Actually Major Mohit Sharma?

The most heated debate surrounding the film concerns its protagonist, Hamza Ali Mazhari. He is played by Ranveer Singh. His real name in the film is Jaskirat Singh Rangi.

Even before the film’s release, the family of the late Major Mohit Sharma (Ashoka Chakra, SM) approached the Delhi High Court. They were deeply concerned. They believed the film was an unauthorized biopic of the martyr.

The Undeniable Parallels

The confusion among the audience is well-founded. The film borrows heavily from the specific “tradecraft” that Major Mohit Sharma is famous for.

In real life, Major Sharma was an officer of the elite 1 Para (Special Forces). He executed one of the most daring infiltration missions in Indian military history.

He grew a beard and long hair. He adopted the local Kashmiri attire. He infiltrated the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group under the alias “Iftikhar Bhatt.“

In the movie, Ranveer Singh’s character, Jaskirat Singh Rangi, adopts a nearly identical visual disguise. He grows his hair and beard to blend into a hostile environment.

He operates under the alias “Hamza Ali Mazhari.” The visual cues in the first half of the film are striking. Specifically, the scenes where the protagonist convinces the enemy of his loyalty mirror the legendary stories of Major Sharma.

The Legal and Factual Distinction

Despite these similarities, the Delhi High Court and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) have clarified the matter. They stated that the film is fiction.

Director Aditya Dhar has officially stated his position. He said that while the film honors the spirit of India’s undercover assets, it is not a biography.

The key difference lies in the operational theater. Major Mohit Sharma’s exploits took place in the dense forests of Kupwara and Shopian in Kashmir.

His mission was to infiltrate Hizbul Mujahideen. He did this successfully. He eventually eliminated two dreaded terrorists, Abu Torara and Abu Sabzar, in hand-to-hand combat.

Dhurandhar, however, relocates the narrative to Karachi, Pakistan. The character of Jaskirat Singh Rangi is inserted into the Lyari Gang Wars.

This is a completely different geopolitical conflict. The “soul” of the character is a tribute to Major Sharma. But the events he participates in are fictional.

Specifically, the manipulation of the Lyari gangs against the Pakistani state is a “what if” scenario. The filmmakers have successfully argued that Rangi is a composite character. He represents many unknown operatives, rather than a direct depiction of the Ashoka Chakra recipient.

The Villain’s Dark Truth: Did Rehman Dakait Kill His Mother?

While Ranveer Singh leads the film, it is Akshaye Khanna’s chilling portrayal that steals the show. He plays the antagonist, Rehman Dakait.

This performance has gone viral on social media. Viewers have been left shocked by the character’s brutality. They specifically point to two gruesome details that seem too horrific to be true.

First, the murder of his own mother. Second, the act of playing football with severed heads. Horrifyingly, these details are based on real reports.

The Real Rehman Dakait

The character is based on Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch. He was popularly known as Rehman Dakait. He was not a fictional invention.

He was one of Karachi’s most feared gangsters. He was a central figure in the Lyari underworld until his death. He was killed in a police encounter in August 2009.

The Matricide Allegation

The film depicts a scene where the villain kills his mother. This establishes his absolute lack of morality early in the story.

This is drawn directly from the dark lore surrounding the real Rehman Dakait. According to crime reports and profiles published in Pakistani outlets like The Express Tribune, this actually happened.

Rehman was alleged to have murdered his own mother when he was around 19 years old. The reported motive was a twisted sense of family honor.

Rehman suspected his mother of having an illicit affair with a rival gangster. This rival was also responsible for the death of Rehman’s father.

In a fit of rage that would define his future reputation, he allegedly strangled her. Some reports say he hanged her.

This act was the “origin story” that cemented his reputation. It proved to his rivals that a man who could kill the woman who gave him birth would hesitate at nothing.

Football with Severed Heads

The second viral shock comes from the reviews mentioning the “football scene.” This, too, is grounded in the grim reality of the Lyari Gang War (circa 2002-2013).

During the peak of the violence, the brutality escalated to medieval levels. This was particularly true between Rehman Dakait’s gang and his rival Arshad Pappu.

Reports from that era confirm that gang members would frequently decapitate their rivals. In a macabre display of dominance designed to terrify the local population, they would kick the severed heads around.

They played with them in the narrow lanes of Lyari like footballs. The film’s depiction is graphic. Yet, it serves as a historically accurate representation of the terror.

It is worth noting a historical distinction. In real life, this specific “football” incident is often attributed to Uzair Baloch. He was Rehman Dakait’s cousin and successor.

Uzair allegedly did this with the head of rival Arshad Pappu in 2013. The movie attributes this level of violence to Rehman to build his villainous persona. The “game” was a message: in Lyari, life had zero value.

The Historical Backdrop: What Was “Operation Lyari”?

Indian audiences are largely unfamiliar with this chapter of Pakistan’s internal conflict.

The film frames the operation as an Indian espionage playground. But the reality was an internal civil conflict.

The Real Gang War

The real Lyari Operation (2012-2013) was a massive crackdown. It was launched by the Pakistan government, specifically the Sindh Police and Rangers.

The goal was to cleanse Karachi of the gang lords who had become too powerful. It was not a spy vs. spy battle. It was a state vs. gang war.

The gangs were led by figures like Uzair Baloch (the successor to Rehman Dakait). They fought back with rocket launchers and grenades.

They turned the neighborhood into a war zone for eight days. The police were often outgunned. They faced enemies who knew every alley and rooftop.

The Fictional Twist

The brilliance of Dhurandhar lies in how it inserts a fictional narrative into this real chaos. It suggests that Indian intelligence used this “fog of war.”

In a situation where the Pakistani police had lost control, it was the perfect cover. The movie posits that an Indian asset, Hamza, could slip in unnoticed.

He could use the internal violence to dismantle terror networks from the inside. It is a classic “divide and conquer” strategy applied to a real historical event.

Controversy: Bans and Political Backlash

Despite its box office success, the film has faced significant geopolitical hurdles. As of December 11, 2025, Dhurandhar has been officially banned in six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

These include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Censor boards in these regions cited the film’s “Anti-Pakistan” tone.

They also objected to its sensitive depiction of cross-border espionage. This is a major financial blow. The Gulf market is traditionally a stronghold for Bollywood stars like Ranveer Singh.

The ban suggests that while audiences enjoy the thriller elements, the political implications are too volatile. Diplomatic regions are wary of showing content that disrupts relations.

Domestically, the film has also divided opinions. Actor Hrithik Roshan initially tweeted praising the film. However, he noted he “disagreed with the politics.”

He later deleted the statement. This highlights the polarized reception regarding the film’s “New India” stance. It presents a narrative that prioritizes aggression over diplomacy.

Box Office & Future: The Sequel is Coming

For fans asking “What’s next?”, the film leaves no room for ambiguity. Dhurandhar is a certified Blockbuster.

It crossed the ₹200 Crore mark globally on its 7th day (December 11). The Gulf ban has done little to slow its momentum in India, North America, and the UK.

The Sequel Details

The post-credits scene sets the stage for a confirmed sequel. It is titled Dhurandhar Part 2 – Revenge.

The release date is locked for March 19, 2026. Part 1 focused on infiltration. Part 2 is set to focus on “Revenge.”

The narrative will likely follow Hamza Ali Mazhari’s extraction. Rumors suggest the sequel will shift locations.

The story may move from Karachi to the Golden Temple and Bangkok. This suggests a wider international canvas for the next installment.

Where to Watch Online

For those waiting to watch it at home, digital rights have been sold. Netflix acquired the film for a record-breaking ₹130 Crore.

The film is expected to stream starting January 30, 2026. This follows the standard 8-week theatrical window.

Final Thoughts

Dhurandhar succeeds because it doesn’t just invent a story. It excavates the darkest corners of real-world history.

It places a “what if?” scenario right in the middle of it. Whether you view it as a gritty action flick or a controversial political statement, one thing is certain.

The monsters in this movie were very, very real. The lines between the script and the history books are blurrier than we thought.

MORE ON DHURANDHAR:

Is Jaskirat Singh Rangi Real? Dhurandhar Part 2 Story Predictions & The Uri Connection

Dhurandhar Re-Release Changes Censorship List: Every Cut, Mute & Difference

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