The makers of Indian film Dhurandhar have muted the word “Baloch” and altered a dialogue following protests from the Baloch community. The move comes after objections over a line deemed offensive and hate-oriented. India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the changes, and the revised version is now showing in cinemas.
The controversial dialogue, spoken by Sanjay Dutt’s character, compared Baloch people to crocodiles, triggering outrage. Protests erupted in Junagadh, and community leaders filed complaints demanding legal action against the actor, writer, and director. The petition warned of approaching the Gujarat High Court if the authorities did not act.
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Earlier, lawyer Nabil Baloch issued a legal notice asking the filmmakers to apologise publicly and censor defamatory references. He argued that the line violated principles of equality, dignity, and respect, promoting social disharmony. The Gujarat High Court sought evidence of defamation from petitioners before further action.
Distributors emailed theatres on December 31, confirming the replacement of the digital cinema package (DCP) to mute the offending words. The revised version includes minor dialogue changes to address community concerns while retaining the overall story and narrative.
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Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar continues to break records at the box office. The film has generated approximately INR 7.4 billion in 29 days, surpassing previous high-grossing releases. Experts note Bollywood’s focus on spectacle, nationalism, and state-aligned narratives drives commercial success even amid public criticism.