NEW DELHI: The popcorn is still warm, the theatres are still packed, but the real drama around ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ seems to be happening off-screen. Ever since the film hit cinemas on March 19, it hasn’t just been about action, thrill, and big numbers, it has quietly slipped into a heated conversation that many didn’t see coming.
Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ has been breaking box office records at rapid pace. Fans are flocking to theatres.
But while the film is winning commercially, a section of viewers is asking uncomfortable questions, especially about how close the story feels to real life.
The biggest talking point? A character named Atif Ahmed.
Some viewers strongly feel that this character mirrors the life of Atiq Ahmed. He was a Uttar Pradesh politician and former gangster shot dead in 2023. In the film, Atif works with Pakistan’s ISI and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
The makers have not confirmed any such link, but the similarities haven’t gone unnoticed.
The controversy reached political circles when Afzal Ansari from the Samajwadi Party spoke out.
Interestingly, he admitted he hasn’t watched the film. Yet, he questioned the intent behind such storytelling. According to him, filmmakers often use disclaimers saying their stories are fictional, but when it comes to attracting audiences, they don’t hesitate to hint at real-life figures.
He suggested that using a name or personality similar to Atiq Ahmed, and possibly linking it to agencies like ISI, is a way to grab attention and sell tickets. He also pointed out that many powerful individuals who are still alive never have portrayals in such films, leaving audiences to read between the lines.
Not everyone sees it the same way.
Surya Kumar, who once served as Inspector General in Prayagraj, shared a very different take. Without directly commenting on the film, he described how figures like Atiq Ahmed operated in real life.
He spoke about how such individuals often built a public image by helping people financially; funding weddings or offering support, while also maintaining a strong grip through fear and influence.
According to him, political connections played a major role in their rise, allowing them to avoid strict punishment for years.
He recalled that Atiq Ahmed had dozens of criminal cases against him; numbers that kept growing over time. Yet, despite the fear he commanded, law enforcement continued to act, registering cases one after another. Eventually, he said, a major crackdown under the state government changed the situation.
Agencies