Why Dhurandhar Muted ‘Baloch’ Dialogue in Revised Theatrical Version

The makers of Dhurandhar have released a revised theatrical version after muting a specific dialogue that referenced the Baloch community, following objections and legal action over alleged derogatory portrayal. The change, however, is limited in scope and does not alter the film’s storyline or overall narrative, sources associated with the project have clarified.

Speculation around the revised cut began after audiences noticed muted portions in select scenes during screenings from January 1. Addressing the matter, people familiar with the development said the modification was made purely to avoid hurt sentiments and was not driven by political pressure or censorship of the film’s broader themes.

The controversy centred on a dialogue delivered by Sanjay Dutt, who plays SP Chaudhary Aslam in the film. The line — “Magarmachh pe bharosa kar sakte hai, par Baloch pe nahi” — triggered strong objections from members of the Baloch community, who argued that it stereotyped and demeaned an entire ethnic group.

Following the release, representatives of the community approached the Gujarat High Court, seeking action against the film’s producers for what they described as hate speech. In their petition, the dialogue was cited as portraying Balochs as inherently untrustworthy, which they said could reinforce prejudice and discrimination.

After the court proceedings, the filmmakers were advised to mute the specific word “Baloch” in the dialogue wherever it appeared to avoid further escalation. Acting on this guidance, the production team implemented a minimal audio change. As a result, theatres across India have been screening the revised version of Dhurandhar since January 1, with the contentious word muted while the rest of the dialogue remains intact.

Sources close to the film stressed that no scenes were deleted, no characters altered, and no narrative changes made. “It’s a very limited modification. The story, intent and character arcs remain exactly the same,” a source said, adding that the move was taken in good faith to respect community sensitivities.

Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar continues to enjoy a strong run at the box office. The spy thriller, headlined by Ranveer Singh, has crossed Rs 739 crore nett in India within 29 days of its release, making it one of the biggest commercial successes of the year. Ranveer’s portrayal of an Indian intelligence officer infiltrating a terror network in Pakistan has struck a chord with domestic audiences.

The film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi, along with several supporting actors in key roles. The performances, action sequences and nationalist undertones have largely driven its box office momentum.

Industry observers note that the episode reflects a growing trend where filmmakers opt for targeted edits rather than prolonged legal battles, especially when objections are linked to community representation. By choosing to mute a single word instead of contesting the issue aggressively, the makers of Dhurandhar appear to have aimed for damage control without compromising the film’s commercial prospects.

For now, the revised version remains in theatres, and the controversy has not visibly dented audience turnout. However, the incident has reignited debate around creative freedom, sensitivity in dialogue writing, and the responsibility of mainstream cinema when portraying communities in politically charged narratives.