Junagadh: Tension gripped Gujarat’s Junagadh city on Thursday as hundreds from the Baloch and Makrani (Siddhi) Muslim communities blocked roads, burnt tyres and attempted to storm cinema halls screening the new Bollywood film Dhurandhar, starring Ram Charan.
The flashpoint: a single dialogue in the film where the hero allegedly says, “Baloch-Makrani log sirf do cheez ke liye famous hain – lootmaar aur bekari (Baloch-Makrani people are famous only for two things – robbery and unemployment).”
Community leaders called the line “deeply derogatory and racist”, claiming it stereotypes an entire historic community that traces its roots to African soldiers brought by the Nawabs centuries ago.
By afternoon, protesters gathered outside Himalaya Cinema and other theatres waving black flags and shouting slogans demanding an immediate nationwide ban. “We have given memoranda to the collector, SP and even the Censor Board. If the dialogue is not deleted in 24 hours, we will intensify the agitation,” warned Yusuf Makrani, president of the All India Baloch-Makrani Jamat.
Police resorted to a mild lathicharge and detained 27 persons after some youths tried to set a poster on fire. Internet services were briefly suspended in sensitive pockets to prevent rumours.
Film producer Vikas Bahl defended the scene, saying it was “contextual and not meant to hurt anyone”, but they agreed to discuss possible edits with community representatives. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi assured a high-level meeting on Friday.
As #BanDhurandhar trended locally, elders recalled how the community has produced doctors, teachers and police officers, and asked, “Is this how Bollywood repays our loyalty to the nation?”