Chaudhry Aslam’s widow slams Indian movie ‘Dhurandhar’ as against Pakistan’s integrity
The widow of late senior Karachi police officer Chaudhry Aslam has strongly criticised the Indian film Dhurandhar, terming it disrespectful to her husband’s legacy and damaging to Pakistan’s integrity.
The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, features Sanjay Dutt portraying a character inspired by the real-life police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan Swati, who served in Karachi from 2005 to 2014 and was known for leading major operations against terrorists, gangsters, target killers, and extortionists belonging to various militant and criminal groups.
Chaudhry Aslam was martyred on January 9, 2014, in a bomb blast claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Speaking to media, his widow Noreen Aslam Chaudhry said she watched the teaser of Dhurandhar and found several elements deeply offensive and misleading. She objected to a line in the film suggesting that a “Chaudhry” is born from a union of satan and jinn, calling it an insult to her husband’s religious background and personal values.
She further pointed out that the film depicts Sanjay Dutt wearing a bulletproof jacket, stating that Chaudhry Aslam never wore one in real life, a fact she said reflected his bravery and fearlessness during operations.
Noreen Aslam also criticised what she described as the film’s negative portrayal of Pakistan’s armed forces, saying Indian cinema has repeatedly attempted to undermine Pakistan’s institutions through distorted narratives.
She rejected the depiction of Lyari gangster Rehman Dakait as a powerful figure in the film, stating that he was “nothing” compared to Chaudhry Aslam and was ultimately neutralised during police operations led by her husband.
Clarifying her stance, she said her objections were not directed at the actors but at the film’s storyline, direction, and production team. She announced plans to pursue legal action against those involved for presenting her husband — whom she described as a national hero — in a misleading and defamatory manner.
Noreen Aslam said Chaudhry Aslam fought not only Rehman Dakait but also multiple terrorist groups until his martyrdom, adding that his bravery was recognised internationally, including by the United States and the United Kingdom.
Referring to past India–Pakistan conflicts, she said Indian media had previously misrepresented events and continued to project Pakistan negatively. She concluded by saying that India lacked national heroes of its own and therefore resorted to using the stories of Pakistani heroes for cinematic narratives.
The controversy has reignited debate over the portrayal of real-life figures in cinema and the responsibility of filmmakers when depicting historical and national personalities.
