Dhurandar: Why Are Pakistanis Watching It?

The internet is buzzing with questions about why Dhurandhar is trending on Netflix in Pakistan. The Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller, which portrays an Indian undercover operative infiltrating Karachi's criminal underworld, has sparked heated debate after topping Netflix charts in the very country it depicts as hostile territory.

The controversy exploded when Fiza Khawar, a Pakistani lawyer and the younger sister of actress Naimal Khawar Khan, took to social media with a scathing assessment. "The most vile anti-Pakistan movie of the last decade, Dhurandhar, is trending no.1 on Netflix in the country right now," she tweeted. "Zero self respect. Absolutely zero. Appalling levels of shamelessness."

Fiza Khawar, who holds an LLB degree and works as a practicing lawyer, has built a substantial following as a social media influencer with over 260,000 Instagram followers. Known for frequently raising her voice on social issues, she gained initial recognition as the sister of Naimal Khawar Khan, who is married to actor Hamza Ali Abbasi.

Fiza's tweet ignited a firestorm of responses that revealed deep divisions in how Pakistanis view the film. Some rushed to dismiss concerns, framing the issue as harmless entertainment. Author Awais Khan responded, suggesting critics were overreacting to what he characterized as "just entertainment."

Others, however, insisted the film presented uncomfortable truths. One user claimed it depicted "the reality" of Pakistan's underworld, sparking further debate about whether cinematic portrayals should be taken as factual representations.

Is Netflix's "Trending" Algorithm Misleading?

The most level-headed perspective came from fact-checkers who pointed out a crucial detail about Netflix's "trending" algorithm. What appears as "trending" on your Netflix homepage isn't necessarily what's genuinely popular across Pakistan. It's personalized content that Netflix's algorithm believes you'll want to watch based on your viewing history.

According to a Vulture report, Mariam Braimah, Netflix's lead product designer for the TV app, explained that categories like "Popular on Netflix" and "Trending" are "actually personalized content that also happens to be popular." The streaming platform identifies shows viewers are most likely to enjoy, then highlights which of those titles are currently getting significant streams. For someone who watches primarily true-crime content, crime thrillers will dominate their trending row. Comedy fans, however, will see comedies and sitcoms featured as trending instead.

The streaming platform customizes trending topics similarly to how Twitter has long personalized its trending feed based on who users follow. This means Dhurandhar's prominence on some Pakistani users' Netflix homepages doesn't necessarily reflect nationwide viewing patterns. It reflects Netflix's prediction of what those specific users would watch based on their algorithmic profile.

Reddit users have long debated whether Netflix's trending lists are authentic or manipulated. Many noticed that switching between user profiles reveals completely different "Top 10" and "Trending" content, with some lists sharing nothing in common. Users reported seeing obscure older content labeled as trending immediately after watching similar genres, leading to widespread skepticism about whether these rankings reflect genuine nationwide popularity or simply personalized recommendations disguised as objective data. Some users suspect Netflix strategically places certain titles in top spots to drive viewership, even when there's no corresponding social media buzz to validate their supposed popularity.

Bela Bajaria, Netflix's British-Indian-American global TV head, has acknowledged that top-ten rankings help drive viewership. "What we've seen is the top ten can make a show more talkable," she explained. "It gives viewers a reason to discuss it, and sometimes that conversation does lead to more sampling and viewing."

Dhurandhar Tops Netflix Pakistan Charts Despite Ban

Despite the algorithmic nuance, Dhurandhar's actual performance in Pakistan has been remarkable. According to Netflix's official weekly charts for January 26-February 1, the film reached No. 1 globally among non-English films with 7.6 million views and topped charts specifically in Pakistan, where Indian films haven't received theatrical releases for years due to political tensions.

The film also dominated across the Gulf region despite being banned from theaters in all six GCC countries over its geopolitical themes. On Netflix, however, it topped charts in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, demonstrating how streaming platforms operate beyond traditional regulatory frameworks.

Industry analysts note that Netflix rankings reflect total viewership rather than approval. Many Pakistani viewers appear to be engaging with Dhurandhar critically, assessing its political messaging rather than embracing it.

In the streaming era, cultural influence is no longer controlled by intent alone. A film created to project nationalist power can find its largest audience across the very border it seeks to antagonize. The absence of locally produced, high-budget alternatives has also been cited as a factor, with audiences defaulting to whatever's available and algorithmically promoted, regardless of political stance.

For Pakistanis questioning why Dhurandhar tops their Netflix feeds, the answer may lie not in national viewing habits, but in the complex interplay between individual watch history, algorithmic predictions, and a platform's drive to keep users engaged, regardless of political boundaries.