BY Christa Lincy
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Dhurandhar 2:Director Aditya Dhar Addresses Pakistan Ban, Says Farak Nahin Padta
Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Ahead of the film's debut, the director's previous remarks regarding the ban of his films in Pakistan have resurfaced. The National Award-winning filmmaker, known for his work on Uri: The Surgical Strike, has maintained a consistent stance that the official exclusion of his projects from Pakistani cinemas does not impact his creative process or the film's commercial outlook. Dhar has often emphasized that his narratives are centered on the global issue of terrorism rather than targeting the citizens of any specific nation.
In previous discussions regarding the regional restrictions on his action-heavy films, Aditya Dhar stated, Mujhe koi farak nahin padta (It doesn't matter to me). He explained that if the audience across the border were to watch his films without prejudice, they would realize the story is a critique of terrorism and not an attack on the people. Dhar noted that if fans in Pakistan trust the filmmaker and watch the film once, they will see it contains nothing negative about the general public. He believes that once viewers understand the fight is against a common threat like terrorism and not against an individual or a country, they would likely appreciate the film's message.
Despite the official theatrical bans, trade data suggests a significant demand for Aditya Dhar's work in the Pakistani market through alternative channels. During the release of the first Dhurandhar, reports indicated that pirated DVDs were being sold for as low as Rs 16 in local markets. Furthermore, the film reportedly saw over 2 million illegal downloads within Pakistan in just 12 days of its release. This underground popularity was further confirmed when the movie arrived on digital platforms; despite the theatrical ban, the film consistently trended at the Number 1 spot on Netflix Pakistan during its initial streaming window in January.
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Aditya Dhar's career in the Indian film industry reflects a steady evolution from a technical assistant to a high-profile director and producer. Having started as an assistant to veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan and working as a lyricist, Dhar made a significant impact with his directorial debut, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). The film earned him the National Film Award for Best Director and established his reputation for delivering high-impact, technically precise cinema. He now co-runs B62 Studios with his brother Lokesh Dhar, focusing on producing content that combines intense action with grounded production values.
The upcoming sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, marks a major collaboration between Aditya Dhar and actor Ranveer Singh. Scheduled to hit theaters on March 19, 2026, with paid previews starting on the evening of March 18, the film is expected to be one of the year's significant action releases. The project reunites Dhar with National Award-winning music director Shashwat Sachdev, who also provided the score for the first installment.While the film remains banned in Pakistan, Dhurandhar 2 is heading toward an explosive start at the box office. Current advance booking data for the March 18 premieres has shown a sky-rocketing trend, indicating a high-volume opening for the Ranveer Singh-starrer across both domestic and major international circuits.
Bollywood
