The upcoming sequel to the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is set to reveal the fate of a controversial character played by Sanjay Dutt. His role, Chaudhary Aslam, is not just a cinematic creation but is based on a real-life senior Pakistani police officer whose life ended violently. The film's narrative intertwines with a murky history of gang wars, terrorism, and even allegations of foreign intelligence involvement.
The Real Chaudhary Aslam: From Cop to Target
In reality, Chaudhry Aslam Khan was a prominent and feared figure in the Karachi police, especially in the volatile Lyari area. He rose to prominence after 2006, leading aggressive campaigns against militants and alleged suicide bombers. However, his methods were widely criticized. He was notoriously accused of conducting fake encounters, where suspects were killed in staged gunfights instead of being brought to trial.
His relentless pursuit made him a prime target for terrorist groups, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In 2011, the TTP attacked his home with an explosion, killing eight people. Aslam defiantly stated he would not bow to terrorists. His luck ran out on January 9, 2014. A powerful car bomb targeted his convoy in the Essa Nagri area of Karachi. Aslam and two others were killed instantly. The TTP swiftly claimed responsibility, with spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan stating they had finally sent him "towards his end" for his actions against their militants.
The RAW Allegation and a Shadowy Confession
While the TTP's claim was clear, a twist emerged in 2017. A Pakistani news outlet, ARY News, aired a video confession of an arrested Indian national. This individual alleged that Aslam's assassination was carried out on the orders of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The Indian agency firmly rejected this claim. This allegation adds a layer of international intrigue to Aslam's death, suggesting his enemies were not only domestic.
The film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, mirrors this complex reality. In the first film, set in Pakistan's Lyari, Sanjay Dutt's Aslam collaborates with Ranveer Singh's character Hamza to corner and kill the gang lord Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna). The sequel, slated for release three months from now, will explore what happens next to this morally ambiguous cop.
Legacy of Controversy and the Upcoming Sequel
Chaudhry Aslam's legacy remains deeply controversial. To many in the establishment, he was a brave officer fighting terrorism. To human rights groups and the families of those he allegedly killed, like Rehman Dakait's wife who filed a court case, he was a symbol of police excess. Even Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned his killing as a "cowardly" terrorist act.
The Dhurandhar sequel now has the task of fictionalizing this explosive real-world saga. With the first film ending with Aslam's victory over Dakait, the sequel must navigate the historical truth: the real Aslam was assassinated in 2014. How the screenplay merges cinematic narrative with harsh facts—including the fake encounter accusations and the shadow of RAW—will be a key point of interest for audiences when the film releases.
