The trailer of Bollywood’s new film “Dhurandhar” was released on Tuesday, instantly gaining popularity on social media.
The film stars Indian superstar Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhry Aslam, while Akshay Khanna, Ranveer Singh, AR Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal appear in high-octane action roles. The film is written and directed by Aditya Dhar.
According to IMDb, “Dhurandhar” is an action film set against a backdrop of Indian patriotism, inspired by real-life events and the gritty underworld environment.
While filmmakers have not officially stated that the story is directly based on Chaudhry Aslam’s life, the trailer and Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal strongly suggest the connection.
Chaudhry Aslam was widely known for his bravery and fearless operations against terrorism and gang violence in Karachi.
Dutt’s character mirrors this tough, unconventional police officer who fights the system on his own terms.
Akshay Khanna’s character, Rahman Dakait, is depicted as a highly intelligent and dangerous criminal who uses strategy and psychological tactics rather than brute force.
Ranveer Singh plays a secret agent engaged in a high-risk mission, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
While the film depicts notorious Karachi figures such as Rahman Dakait and SP Chaudhry Aslam, the trailer appears, at first glance, to have an anti-Pakistan tone, reminiscent of some past Bollywood portrayals.
“Dhurandhar” is scheduled for release on December 5, after which the full story and its nuances will be revealed.
Earlier in Pakistan, a film titled “Chaudhry” was produced based on the life of SSP Chaudhry Aslam. It was the country’s first film inspired by the real-life story of a police officer. In that film, police officer Tariq Islam portrayed Chaudhry Aslam.
The film was directed by Azeem Sajjad, written by Zeeshan Junaid and produced by Neha Laaj.
It featured performances by Shamoon Abbasi, Arbazz Khan, Adnan Shah Tipu, Zara Abid, Asfar Mani and Sana Fakhar. “Chaudhry” depicted the life and death of the former police officer.
Chaudhry Aslam was born in 1964 in Dhudial, a tehsil of Mansehra district.
He was inducted into the Sindh Reserve Police’s Eagle Squad as an ASI on 31 October 1984.
Shortly afterward, he became part of Karachi’s regular police force. Rising through the ranks from a junior officer in the 1980s, he eventually reached the position of SSP.
Chaudhry Aslam was often seen boldly addressing the media, dressed in his trademark white shalwar kameez, pistol in hand and chest out.
In 1992, when Karachi was gripped with fear and violence, authorities launched Operation Clean-up across the city.
Chaudhry Aslam was posted as the SHO of the then-notorious Gulbahar police station. His raids, arrests and operations against militants earned him widespread notoriety and fame.
Chaudhry Aslam was martyred in a suicide attack in Karachi in January 2014.
Earlier, in 2011, a suicide attack targeted his home; he and his family survived, but six police personnel were killed. He had described that attack as a “declaration of war” by terrorists.
After the establishment of military courts in Pakistan, then Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa approved the death sentences of four convicts in 2016.
Chaudhry Aslam became an iconic figure not only in the police department but across the country because he took on high-profile cases and brought them to their conclusion, from the Saulat Mirza case to the Shoaib Khan case, to the elimination of Rehman Dakait and operations against militant Taliban factions. His name resonated across all fronts.
