A Pakistani journalist recently posted a video on social media showing himself watching a pirated version of the Indian action film "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" in Lahore. The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and sparking jokes online about "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan." This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of film piracy, especially for movies banned in certain regions.
Journalist's Post Sparks Online Debate
Khalid Mehmood Khalid, a Pakistani journalist, shared a short video clip on X (formerly Twitter) on March 19, 2026. The video depicted a pivotal scene from "Dhurandhar 2" playing on his television screen, which appeared to be a cam print, often identified by a watermark. Khalid captioned his post, "Watching Dhurandhar 2 in Lahore," directly referencing the film's viewing in Pakistan.[hindustantimes+3]
The post quickly gained traction, with many internet users reacting to the open display of pirated content. Jokes referencing the popular meme "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan," which originated with the first "Dhurandhar" film, flooded social media platforms. Some users also criticized Khalid Mehmood Khalid for openly promoting piracy, calling his actions unprofessional and disrespectful to the filmmakers.[hindustantimes+2]
Film Banned But Widely Accessed
"Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge," starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, premiered in theaters worldwide on March 19, 2026. However, the film, like its predecessor, was officially banned in Pakistan and several Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Despite these official restrictions, the ban has not prevented Pakistani audiences from accessing the movie.[hindustantimes+6]
The film achieved significant box office success in India, recording a massive ₹102.5 crore opening and becoming the biggest Hindi opener ever. It ranked as the second biggest Indian opener overall, just behind "Pushpa: The Rule". The widespread availability of pirated versions in Pakistan underscores the difficulties faced by content creators in controlling distribution across international borders, especially when official channels are blocked.[thestatesman+3]
History of Piracy for Dhurandhar Franchise
This is not the first time the "Dhurandhar" franchise has faced extensive piracy in Pakistan. When the first "Dhurandhar" film was released in December 2025 and subsequently banned in Pakistan, it reportedly saw 2 million illegal downloads within just two weeks. It even became the most pirated film, surpassing titles like "Raees". Viewers in Pakistan accessed the film through various unauthorized methods, including Telegram channels, underground streaming sites, and VPN services.[thestatesman+3]
Pirated copies of the film were also openly sold in Pakistani markets. New Zealand-based YouTuber Karl Rock documented this phenomenon in a vlog from Karachi's Rainbow Centre in Saddar Bazaar, a known hub for black-market entertainment trade. Rock found pirated copies of "Dhurandhar" being sold for as low as Rs 50 on a USB drive and around Rs 300 for a DVD. Even after its release on Netflix on January 30, 2026, "Dhurandhar" surprisingly climbed to the number one trending spot in Pakistan, illustrating the strong local demand despite official bans.[thestatesman+3]
India's Legal Fight Against Piracy
In response to concerns over illegal distribution, legal measures were taken in India to protect "Dhurandhar: The Revenge." The Madras High Court, on March 18, 2026, issued an order to restrain the unauthorized broadcast and streaming of the film ahead of its theatrical release. This action followed applications filed by Reliance Industries Limited and its media division Jio Studios, the film's producers, who expressed worries about potential online piracy. This highlights the proactive steps taken by filmmakers to combat piracy, even as challenges persist globally.[timesnownews+1]
The "Day 1 as a Spy" Phenomenon
The "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan" meme gained significant traction following the release of the first "Dhurandhar" film in December 2025. The trend involves people role-playing as a spy in Pakistan, often depicting seemingly mundane activities with a dramatic, covert flair, set to the film's background song "Karwaan". The meme's popularity stemmed from the film's narrative of an Indian spy operating in Pakistan, resonating with audiences and inspiring thousands of adults to engage in this online role-play.[medium+1]
The viral trend contributed to the first "Dhurandhar" film's extended viewership and massive box office success, surpassing initial projections. It showcased an unusual form of organic publicity, with the role-play transcending age, gender, and nationality. The meme's resurgence with the sequel's pirated viewing in Pakistan further underscores the cultural impact and cross-border engagement, albeit through unauthorized means.[medium+1]
The incident involving the Pakistani reporter watching a pirated version of "Dhurandhar 2" in Lahore underscores the persistent global issue of film piracy and the challenges faced by content creators in protecting their work, particularly when geopolitical factors lead to official bans. Despite legal restrictions and production efforts to curb illegal distribution, the demand for popular films often finds alternative, unauthorized avenues.
A Pakistani journalist recently posted a video on social media showing himself watching a pirated version of the Indian action film "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" in Lahore. The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and sparking jokes online about "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan." This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of film piracy, especially for movies banned in certain regions.
Journalist's Post Sparks Online Debate
Khalid Mehmood Khalid, a Pakistani journalist, shared a short video clip on X (formerly Twitter) on March 19, 2026. The video depicted a pivotal scene from "Dhurandhar 2" playing on his television screen, which appeared to be a cam print, often identified by a watermark. Khalid captioned his post, "Watching Dhurandhar 2 in Lahore," directly referencing the film's viewing in Pakistan. His bio states he works for a newspaper in Pakistan.[hindustantimes+5]
The post quickly gained traction, with many internet users reacting to the open display of pirated content. Jokes referencing the popular meme "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan," which originated with the first "Dhurandhar" film, flooded social media platforms. Some users also criticized Khalid Mehmood Khalid for openly promoting piracy, calling his actions unprofessional and disrespectful to the filmmakers. The post triggered a heated debate about the film industry's struggle to curb piracy.[hindustantimes+2]
Film Banned But Widely Accessed
"Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge," starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, premiered in theaters worldwide on March 19, 2026. However, the film, like its predecessor, was officially banned in Pakistan and several Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Despite these official restrictions, the ban has not prevented Pakistani audiences from accessing the movie.[hindustantimes+4]
The film achieved significant box office success in India, recording a massive ₹102.5 crore opening and becoming the biggest Hindi opener ever. Itranked as the second biggest Indian opener overall, just behind "Pushpa: The Rule". The widespread availability of pirated versions in Pakistan underscores the difficulties faced by content creators in controlling distribution across international borders, especially when official channels are blocked.[thestatesman+3]
History of Piracy for Dhurandhar Franchise
This is not the first time the "Dhurandhar" franchise has faced extensive piracy in Pakistan. When the first "Dhurandhar" film was released in December 2025 and subsequently banned in Pakistan, it reportedly saw 2 million illegal downloads within just two weeks. Iteven became the most pirated film, surpassing titles like "Raees". Viewers in Pakistan accessed the film through various unauthorized methods, including Telegram channels, underground streaming sites, and VPN services.[thestatesman+3]
Pirated copies of the film were also openly sold in Pakistani markets. New Zealand-based YouTuber Karl Rock documented this phenomenon in a vlog from Karachi's Rainbow Centre in Saddar Bazaar, a known hub for black-market entertainment trade. Rock found pirated copies of "Dhurandhar" being sold for as low as Rs 50 on a USB drive and around Rs 300 for a DVD. Even after its release on Netflix on January 30, 2026, "Dhurandhar" surprisingly climbed to the number one trending spot in Pakistan, illustrating the strong local demand despite official bans.[thestatesman+5]
India's Legal Fight Against Piracy
In response to concerns over illegal distribution, legal measures were taken in India to protect "Dhurandhar: The Revenge." The Madras High Court, on March 18, 2026, issued an order to restrain the unauthorized broadcast and streaming of the film ahead of its theatrical release. This action followed applications filed by Reliance Industries Limited and its media division Jio Studios, the film's producers, who expressed worries about potential online piracy. This highlights the proactive steps taken by filmmakers to combat piracy, even as challenges persist globally.[timesnownews+1]
The "Day 1 as a Spy" Phenomenon
The "Day 1 as a Spy in Pakistan" meme gained significant traction following the release of the first "Dhurandhar" film in December 2025. The trend involves people role-playing as a spy in Pakistan, often depicting seemingly mundane activities with a dramatic, covert flair, set to the film's background song "Karwaan". The meme's popularity stemmed from the film's narrative of an Indian spy operating in Pakistan, resonating with audiences and inspiring thousands of adults to engage in this online role-play.[medium+1]
The viral trend contributed to the first "Dhurandhar" film's extended viewership and massive box office success, surpassing initial projections. Itshowcased an unusual form of organic publicity, with the role-play transcending age, gender, and nationality. The meme's resurgence with the sequel's pirated viewing in Pakistan further underscores the cultural impact and cross-border engagement, albeit through unauthorized means.[medium+3]
The incident involving the Pakistani reporter watching a pirated version of "Dhurandhar 2" in Lahore underscores the persistent global issue of film piracy and the challenges faced by content creators in protecting their work, particularly when geopolitical factors lead to official bans. Despite legal restrictions and production efforts to curb illegal distribution, the demand for popular films often finds alternative, unauthorized avenues.
