A recent revelation about Bollywood star Ranveer Singh has sparked widespread discussion across South Asia. The actor, who plays the lead role in the newly released anti-Pakistan film Dhurandhar, has been found to share ancestral ties with Karachi. This discovery has added an unexpected and emotional layer to an already controversial film.
As a result, social media users, journalists, and film critics have started questioning the deeper irony of the casting. Many now view the film not only as a political thriller but also as a reminder of the region’s shared and painful history.
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A Spy Thriller Set in Karachi
According to a report by Indian news channel NDTV, Dhurandhar casts Ranveer Singh as Jaskeerat Singh Rangi, an Indian intelligence officer. In the film, his character enters Karachi to conduct counter-terrorism operations.
To succeed in his mission, the agent disguises himself as a Baloch laborer searching for employment. This identity allows him to move through the city without attracting attention. Most of the story unfolds in Lyari, one of Karachi’s oldest and most densely populated neighborhoods.
However, Indian films often portray Lyari through a security-focused lens. Consequently, critics argue that such portrayals ignore its cultural diversity, political history, and artistic legacy. Because of this, the film has faced criticism from audiences familiar with Karachi’s realities.
Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh’s performance has kept him at the center of public debate.
Ancestral Links to a Divided City
At the same time, reports have highlighted Ranveer Singh’s personal connection to Karachi. The actor belongs to a Sindhi Hindu family that once lived in the city.
His full name is Ranveer Singh Bhavnani. After the 1947 Partition of British India, his family migrated from Karachi to Mumbai. Like millions of others, they left behind homes, livelihoods, and long-established communities.
Partition displaced an estimated 14 million people and caused over one million deaths. Moreover, it permanently altered cities like Karachi, which had large Hindu and Sindhi populations before independence. This historical context has made the actor’s family story especially significant.
When Fiction Reflects Personal History
Interestingly, the film’s Karachi-based narrative overlaps with Ranveer Singh’s own family past. While his character enters the city as a stranger, his ancestors once considered Karachi their home.
Because of this contrast, many social media users have pointed out the irony. Some have described it as symbolic of unresolved regional trauma. Others see it as proof that art cannot escape history, even when it tries.
Nevertheless, the film itself does not explore these themes. Instead, it focuses firmly on espionage, nationalism, and security threats. Even so, the actor’s background has reshaped how audiences interpret the story.
A Visible Bond with Sindhi Culture
Beyond cinema, Ranveer Singh has consistently expressed pride in his Sindhi heritage. In 2021, he shared a social media post listing his favorite Sindhi foods. These included Sindhi curry, rice, and boondi.
Food often serves as a powerful connection to lost homelands. Therefore, his post resonated strongly with Sindhi communities in India and abroad. Many praised him for acknowledging his roots openly.
Similarly, his wedding reflected this cultural attachment. During his marriage ceremony at Lake Como in Italy, the couple performed Sindhi rituals. Through these traditions, Singh honored his family’s history and identity.
Cinema, Identity, and Regional Politics
Ultimately, the debate around Dhurandhar highlights broader tensions in South Asian cinema. Films centered on espionage often reinforce political narratives. As a result, they leave little space for shared histories or emotional complexity.
Ranveer Singh’s Karachi roots challenge this simplicity. They remind audiences that identities across the region remain deeply interconnected, despite decades of political division.
Although India and Pakistan continue to experience strained relations, stories like Singh’s reveal common pasts that borders cannot erase. For now, his role and his heritage continue to fuel discussion, reflection, and debate on both sides of the divide.
