Story Content

There has also been a twist to the Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar (and its sequel) because the Deputy Inspector General, Omar Shahid Hamid, who is one front-runner in destroying the notorious criminal networks in Lyari city, has demanded royalty fees from the makers. In a recent appearance on a podcast, protégé of the legendary encounter specialist Chaudhary Aslam Khan (assassinated in 2014), Hamid, stated that the plot of the film is closely based on real-life police operations against Lyari gangsters (such as Rehman Dakait and Uzair Baloch). He claimed to have ownership of the stories by them and foreshadowed financial remuneration for the use of their experiences. Hamid further charged Indian intelligence agencies with infiltrations in Karachi gangs, giving the debate an Indian spice. Dhurandhar, which also stars Ranveer Singh and has Sanjay Dutt playing a role as an inspiration of Aslam, has had a colorful history of controversies, such as the widow of Aslam objecting to the backlash of the film depicting her husband. The claims of bold royalty assertion by the cop have been viralized, with memes, debates, and inquiries raised on intellectual property in the cinematic inspirations across borders. Official commentary of the filmmakers is yet to be made.