Aditya Dhar’s new film Dhuranadhar was released yesterday.
After the first teaser, the trailer also created a buzz for this star-studded film based on a true story. In the film, the lead actor is seen portraying several characters inspired by real life. But the one drawing special attention is Akshaye Khanna’s role as the dacoit Rahim. After watching the trailer, many are saying that the character is based on Pakistan’s notorious criminal Rahim Robber.
After the first teaser, the trailer also created a buzz for this star-studded film based on a true story. In the film, the lead actor is seen portraying several characters inspired by real life. But the one drawing special attention is Akshaye Khanna’s role as the dacoit Rahim. After watching the trailer, many are saying that the character is based on Pakistan’s notorious criminal Rahim Robber.
Who is this Rehman?
In Dhuranadhar, the character played by Akshaye is also named Rehman Robber. But is he really portraying the infamous Pakistani mafia boss Rehman Robber? Although many are claiming so, the film’s makers have not officially confirmed it.
Rehman Robber real name was Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch. He stepped into the world of crime at a very young age and gradually became the “king” of the underworld.
Rehman was born in 1980 to father Muhammad and mother Khadija Bibi. His father and uncle were notorious drug traffickers who had been involved in smuggling since 1964. Rehman too became involved in the drug trade from an early age. At just 13, he was accused of stabbing someone to death. Some even claim that in 1995 he killed his own mother—allegedly because he suspected her of having ties with a rival gang member.
It is said that Rehman was so ruthless that people in Karachi were afraid to even utter his name. In Karachi and surrounding areas, it was commonly believed that Rehman was not a human being at all, but “the devil himself.”
In Pakistan, Rehman’s main rival was another gangster named Arshad Pappu. In the early 2000s, their conflict over drugs, extortion, and territorial control intensified sharply.
Rehman also harbored ambitions of entering Pakistani politics and made several attempts in that direction, though he was not very successful. It is said that because of these ambitions, he came into contact with many influential political figures. In 2008, Rehman formed an armed group called the Peoples Aman Committee (PAC), which was believed to have direct links with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
From 2008 onward, Rehman’s influence in the criminal underworld continued to grow, prompting the authorities to take stronger action against him. In 2009, Rehman and his gang became involved in an open confrontation with the Karachi police. Later that same year, Rehman was killed in police firing.
In Pakistan, Rehman’s main rival was another gangster named Arshad Pappu. In the early 2000s, their conflict over drugs, extortion, and territorial control intensified sharply.
Rehman also harbored ambitions of entering Pakistani politics and made several attempts in that direction, though he was not very successful. It is said that because of these ambitions, he came into contact with many influential political figures. In 2008, Rehman formed an armed group called the Peoples Aman Committee (PAC), which was believed to have direct links with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
From 2008 onward, Rehman’s influence in the criminal underworld continued to grow, prompting the authorities to take stronger action against him. In 2009, Rehman and his gang became involved in an open confrontation with the Karachi police. Later that same year, Rehman was killed in police firing.
In Pakistan, Rehman’s main rival was another gangster named Arshad Pappu. In the early 2000s, their conflict over drugs, extortion, and territorial control intensified sharply.
Rehman also harbored ambitions of entering Pakistani politics and made several attempts in that direction, though he was not very successful. It is said that because of these ambitions, he came into contact with many influential political figures. In 2008, Rehman formed an armed group called the Peoples Aman Committee (PAC), which was believed to have direct links with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
From 2008 onward, Rehman’s influence in the criminal underworld continued to grow, prompting the authorities to take stronger action against him. In 2009, Rehman and his gang became involved in an open confrontation with the Karachi police. Later that same year, Rehman was killed in police firing.
What the film shows
After the teaser and trailer were released, Akshay’s look received praise, but many analysts believe the character has been exaggerated in the film. Bollywood has long portrayed members of Indian law-enforcement agencies in a heroic light, and this film appears to follow that pattern.
Pakistani media report that the conflict among Karachi’s gangsters was entirely a local phenomenon, rooted in poverty, political neglect, and socio-economic inequality. Rehman Dakait controlled Liyari’s criminal network; he had no links to international terrorism. Local police officer Chaudhry Aslam risked his own life to dismantle these gangs. He restored order in the city and also led operations against terrorists.
He was the central figure in these events, not a supporting character to any foreign hero—something the film may have portrayed inaccurately. In the movie, Rehman Robber is shown as part of a grand conspiracy, which is far removed from reality. For this, Pakistani media have also criticized their own filmmakers, noting that they mostly produce romantic dramas and rarely create films or series based on real criminal events.
What the film shows
After the teaser and trailer were released, Akshay’s look received praise, but many analysts believe the character has been exaggerated in the film. Bollywood has long portrayed members of Indian law-enforcement agencies in a heroic light, and this film appears to follow that pattern.
Pakistani media report that the conflict among Karachi’s gangsters was entirely a local phenomenon, rooted in poverty, political neglect, and socioeconomic inequality. Rehman Dakait controlled Liyari’s criminal network; he had no links to international terrorism. Local police officer Chaudhry Aslam risked his own life to dismantle these gangs. He restored order in the city and also led operations against terrorists.
He was the central figure in these events, not a supporting character to any foreign hero—something the film may have portrayed inaccurately. In the movie, Rehman Robber is shown as part of a grand conspiracy, which is far removed from reality. For this, Pakistani media have also criticized their own filmmakers, noting that they mostly produce romantic dramas and rarely create films or series based on real criminal events.
