Dhurandhar banned in Pakistan, yet sold for PKR 50 on Karachi streets! New Zealand vlogger spots Ranveer Singh’s film, watch

Aditya Dhar’s high-stakes espionage drama Dhurandhar may have faced official roadblocks across Pakistan and parts of the Gulf, but the film’s journey clearly didn’t end at the border. The politically charged spy thriller, fronted by Ranveer Singh, stirred controversy for its sharp narrative and sensitive geopolitical undertones.

While restrictions abroad reignited debates on censorship and cross-border cultural friction, the film continued to command attention- both legally and otherwise.

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From Ban to Black Market: The Karachi Discovery

The story took an unexpected turn when New Zealand-based YouTuber Karl Rock stumbled upon pirated DVDs of Dhurandhar at Karachi’s infamous Rainbow Centre—long known as a marketplace for unofficial copies.

Despite the ongoing ban on Indian films in Pakistan, the thriller was reportedly being sold for just PKR 50 (approximately Rs 16).

In his now-viral clip, Rock expressed disbelief, saying, "Indian films are banned in Pakistan, but look what I found."

The shopkeeper casually confirmed, "This is an Indian film, Dhurandhar. It has been released recently."

When asked about the price, the seller replied, "Sir, it is for Rs 50 PKR (Rs 16)."

The irony was hard to miss- a banned film finding eager buyers in plain sight.

Wedding Beats & Viral Heat

Interestingly, this isn’t the first sign of Dhurandhar’s underground popularity. Earlier, viral clips from Pakistani weddings showed guests dancing enthusiastically to the film’s tracks. The visuals suggested that while policy might restrict screenings, public curiosity- and fandom- knows fewer boundaries.

Now, the Rainbow Centre revelation has added another layer to the narrative: from wedding playlists to street-side piracy stalls.

Internet Reacts: Confusion, Nostalgia & Irony

Social media erupted with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

One comment read, "Still Selling pirated films is crazy... Still remember 15 years ago or so my cousin brought CDs of pirated movies."

Another wrote, "A film bashing Pakistan is being loved in Pakistan, lol."

A third user added, "The movie is banned by Pakistan government, but it is getting pirated normally, and it is also the top trending Netflix movie. Make it make sense."

Many were equally stunned that physical formats like CDs and pendrives remain in circulation.

One user remarked, "We can still buy films on a pendrive and CD in Pakistan? This trend was over here before at least 10 years. Strange."

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Cinema Beyond Borders

The episode highlights a fascinating contradiction: official bans may limit theatrical releases, but they rarely suppress demand. Dhurandhar’s journey- from controversy to piracy racks- reveals how cinema continues to travel across borders, sometimes through unexpected routes. In the digital age, the appetite for stories seems far more resilient than regulations.