Dhurandhar Makers Remove ‘Baloch’ Following I&B Ministry Directive: Revised Version Screens from January 1, 2026

The biggest blockbuster of 2025, Dhurandhar, underwent significant revisions on December 31, 2025, following directives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Theaters across India received emails from distributors on New Year’s Eve informing them to download new content and screen the modified version starting January 1, 2026. The primary change involves removing the controversial word “Baloch” from the Ranveer Singh-starrer, which has already grossed over 754 crores in just 26 days.

The I&B Ministry Directive and Dhurandhar’s Modifications

An exhibition source revealed that cinemas nationwide were instructed to implement the changes immediately, ensuring audiences viewing Dhurandhar in the new year would see the revised edition. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s intervention came after the film’s initial theatrical release on December 5, 2025, when it quickly became a cultural phenomenon while simultaneously generating controversy.

According to industry insiders, “Baloch” represents just one of three words or phrases modified in the new version. However, at the time of reporting, the specific nature of the other two alterations could not be confirmed. The changes appear strategically positioned to address concerns raised by the Baloch community while maintaining the film’s narrative integrity.

The directive represents an unusual post-release intervention by government authorities, particularly for a film that had already received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification and been screening successfully for nearly a month. The timing suggests mounting pressure from various stakeholders prompted official action despite the movie’s unprecedented commercial success.

The Controversial Dialogue That Sparked Backlash

The controversy centered on a specific dialogue delivered by Sanjay Dutt’s character in Dhurandhar. The line stated: “I always tell the big boss that you can trust a crocodile, but never a Baloch.” This statement, intended as character-building dialogue within the film’s criminal underworld setting, struck members of the Baloch community as deeply offensive and defamatory.

Members of the Baloch community living in India expressed hurt over what they perceived as an insulting and provocative portrayal. The dialogue painted an entire ethnic group with a broad brush of untrustworthiness, reducing complex geopolitical realities to a simple prejudiced statement. For a community already facing challenges related to their identity and homeland situation, the dialogue felt particularly painful.

The controversy escalated when two members of the Baloch community filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking removal of the derogatory content. During the hearing, Justice Aniruddha P Mayee asked petitioners to clarify how they were personally defamed by dialogue set in a region outside India. The legal challenge highlighted the tension between artistic expression and community sensitivity, particularly when depicting real ethnic groups in commercial entertainment.

Ranveer Singh and Dhurandhar’s Phenomenal Success

Despite the controversy, or perhaps partly because of it, Dhurandhar has emerged as one of the most successful Hindi films in cinema history. Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian death-row inmate recruited as a covert operative who infiltrates Karachi’s criminal underworld, has been hailed as career-defining work.

The film collected Rs. 754.50 crores in just 26 days, establishing itself as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, the third highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, and the seventh highest-grossing Indian film ever made. It also claimed the distinction of becoming the highest-grossing A-certified Indian film in cinema history, surpassing previous records set by films like Animal and Kantara: Chapter 1.

Ranveer Singh’s physical and emotional transformation for the role has drawn widespread acclaim. His portrayal balances raw intensity with calculated stillness, showcasing the versatility that has made him one of Bollywood’s most compelling actors. Director Aditya Dhar, who previously helmed the critically acclaimed Uri: The Surgical Strike, crafted a character that allows Ranveer Singh to demonstrate dramatic range while anchoring an ensemble cast of talented performers.

The supporting cast contributes significantly to Dhurandhar’s success. Akshaye Khanna delivers a career-highlight performance as Rehman Dakait, bringing swag and menace to his antagonist role. Sanjay Dutt provides gravitas in key sequences, while R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal make impactful contributions despite limited screen time. Sara Arjun portrays the romantic interest with appropriate emotional depth.

The Baloch Context in Dhurandhar’s Narrative

Understanding the controversy requires examining how Dhurandhar incorporates Balochistan and Baloch characters into its narrative. The film’s plot loosely draws from real events surrounding Operation Lyari, a Pakistani government-led crackdown against criminal gangs in Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood, which has historically been associated with Baloch populations.

Within the film’s storyline, character Uzair Baloch appears as a significant figure in Karachi’s criminal ecosystem. Played by Danish Pandor, this character represents the complex intersection of ethnicity, criminality, and politics in Pakistan’s urban underworld. The character’s name references real-life gangster Uzair Baloch, though the film fictionalizes events for dramatic purposes.

The narrative depicts Baloch characters and communities within Pakistan’s criminal networks, touching on genuine tensions between the Pakistani state and Baloch nationalist movements. However, the broad generalization implied by Sanjay Dutt’s controversial dialogue extended beyond specific criminal characters to seemingly indict an entire ethnic group, crossing the line from depicting fictional criminals to maligning real communities.

Director Aditya Dhar’s Vision and Controversy

Aditya Dhar gained national recognition with Uri: The Surgical Strike, which became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2019 while sparking debates about patriotic filmmaking and propaganda. With Dhurandhar, Dhar aimed to create something even more ambitious—a two-part spy thriller spanning multiple years and real historical events including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The director consulted extensively with Aditya Raj Kaul, NDTV’s senior executive editor for geopolitics and national security, who served as research consultant. This collaboration aimed to ground the fictional narrative in authentic details about covert operations, though the final product blends fact and fiction in ways that generated criticism from some quarters.

Critics have accused Dhurandhar of mixing real events with fictional embellishments in potentially misleading ways. The film’s approach to depicting Pakistan, its intelligence agencies, and various ethnic groups has been characterized by some reviewers as propaganda rather than balanced storytelling. Others defend it as legitimate thriller filmmaking that uses geopolitical tensions as narrative backdrop without claiming documentary authenticity.

Box Office Dominance Despite Controversies

The controversy surrounding the “Baloch” dialogue and subsequent removal has done little to dampen Dhurandhar’s commercial momentum. The film continues performing exceptionally well in its fourth week, with strong holds indicating sustained audience interest. Industry analysts project it will cross Rs. 800 crores domestically before concluding its theatrical run.

International performance has been mixed due to geopolitical factors. The film was effectively banned across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, denying it access to lucrative Middle Eastern markets with large South Asian diaspora populations. Despite this setback, Dhurandhar performed well in North America, United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Europe, helping it surpass Rs. 200 crores in overseas collections.

Interestingly, despite being officially banned in Pakistan since 2019 when all Indian films were prohibited, Dhurandhar reportedly received over 2 million pirated digital downloads in the country. This underground popularity suggests the film’s themes resonate even with audiences in the nation it depicts as antagonistic, though through unofficial channels that generate no revenue for producers.

The Theatrical-to-OTT Pipeline

Following its revised theatrical release on January 1, 2026, Dhurandhar is expected to arrive on Netflix by January 30, 2026. The streaming giant acquired digital rights for both parts of the planned two-film series, ensuring the movie reaches global audiences who may have missed its theatrical run.

The OTT release will potentially include multiple language versions, expanding beyond Hindi to dubbed editions in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and other Indian languages. This strategy maximizes the film’s reach while capitalizing on the pan-Indian appeal that films like KGF and Pushpa demonstrated for regional cinema.

The timing of the Netflix release allows Dhurandhar to maintain theatrical momentum through its initial weeks of 2026 while providing a natural transition to streaming audiences. By late January, most theatrical revenue will have been captured, making the streaming window commercially sensible without cannibalizing box office potential.

Dhurandhar Part 2: What Comes Next

The revised version of Dhurandhar sets the stage for the sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026. The second installment will continue Jaskirat Singh Rangi’s story as he targets the mastermind behind multiple terrorist attacks on India, referred to in the first film only as “Bade Sahab.”

Producer and director Aditya Dhar has indicated that Part 2 will raise stakes even higher, exploring deeper into Pakistan’s power structures while delivering more intense action sequences. The post-credits scene of the revised Dhurandhar includes a reference to Uri’s iconic “ye naya India hai” dialogue, connecting the two films within a shared cinematic universe focused on Indian intelligence operations.

Ranveer Singh will reprise his role, with most of the ensemble cast expected to return in various capacities. The sequel’s quick turnaround—releasing just over three months after the original—suggests both films were shot back-to-back or in close succession, a strategy employed by major franchises to maintain narrative momentum and audience interest.

Cultural Impact and Political Dimensions

Beyond box office numbers, Dhurandhar has generated significant cultural conversation about how Indian cinema depicts Pakistan, terrorism, and covert operations. The film arrives at a moment of heightened geopolitical tensions, making its themes particularly resonant for domestic audiences while potentially inflammatory from international perspectives.

The controversy over the “Baloch” dialogue highlights ongoing debates about representation, stereotyping, and responsibility in commercial cinema. While filmmakers argue for creative freedom to depict fictional scenarios, community groups assert that broad ethnic generalizations cause real-world harm by reinforcing prejudices and stereotypes.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s intervention demonstrates government willingness to act on content concerns even after films receive certification and theatrical release. This post-release modification sets precedent that could influence future productions dealing with sensitive ethnic, religious, or political subject matter.

For the Baloch community specifically, the controversy brings attention to their struggles and identity, though perhaps not in ways community members would prefer. Baloch nationalists have long sought international recognition for their cause, and while this film controversy generates awareness, it simultaneously associates their identity with criminal elements in the public consciousness.

The Revised Version: What Changes Mean

As audiences view the revised Dhurandhar starting January 1, 2026, the most noticeable change will be the absence or modification of references to “Baloch” in contexts that could be construed as defamatory. Technical implementation likely involved either dubbing replacement dialogue, muting specific words, or substituting alternative terminology that conveys similar narrative information without ethnic specificity.

The challenge for filmmakers lies in making these modifications seamlessly, ensuring revised scenes don’t feel obviously altered in ways that distract viewers or disrupt narrative flow. Given that Dhurandhar already completed 26 days of theatrical exhibition before revision, the changes must be subtle enough that audiences who saw the original version don’t perceive jarring discontinuities.

From a precedent perspective, this revision demonstrates that even highly successful commercial films remain subject to modification if content generates sufficient controversy or legal challenge. It reinforces the power of community advocacy to effect change in media representation while raising questions about where lines should be drawn between artistic expression and cultural sensitivity.

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