Dhurandhar, a notorious figure in Pakistan’s criminal underworld, rose to prominence after inheriting the gang once led by the infamous Rehman Dakait, following Dakait’s encounter with law enforcement. Known for his ruthless and shocking acts, Dhurandhar’s reign became infamous not just for organized crime but also for the brutality he displayed.
One of the most chilling episodes from his criminal career involved gangster Arshad Pappu. Reports suggest that Dhurandhar, in a display of extreme cruelty, reportedly used Pappu’s severed head as part of a macabre act, drawing widespread shock and horror.
Dhurandhar’s life reflects the violent and lawless nature of Karachi’s gang wars, where succession in criminal empires often comes with extreme brutality. His story continues to serve as a grim reminder of the dangers of organized crime and the terror it brings to communities.
Dhurandhar 2 Teaser and the Real-Life Story of Uzair Baloch
The Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar concluded on a gripping note, with Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman Dakait meeting his end at the hands of Ranveer’s Hamza, in collusion with Sanjay Dutt’s Chaudhry Aslam Khan. In the film’s emotional climax, Rehman’s brother Uzair, portrayed by Danish Pandor, arrives at the hospital unaware that Hamza has killed his older brother. He breaks down in Hamza’s arms, leaving viewers anticipating what comes next. Fans will get the answer in Dhurandhar 2, set to release in March.
While the film portrays Uzair as a tragic figure, the real-life story of Uzair Baloch is far darker. Following Rehman Dakait’s death, Uzair Baloch emerged as one of Lyari’s most feared gangsters. He took control of Rehman’s gang and was allegedly responsible for the brutal killing of gangster Arshad Pappu. Reports from Lyari suggest that Uzair and his associates desecrated Pappu’s body, with some even claiming that they were seen playing football with his severed head.
Uzair Baloch’s Rise in the Criminal World
Uzair was Rehman Dakait’s cousin, and his entry into crime was shaped by personal tragedy. In 2003, Arshad Pappu kidnapped Uzair’s father, Faiz Muhammad, demanding ransom, and later killed him brutally. Following this, Uzair joined Rehman’s gang, which dominated Lyari at the time. Uzair not only inherited Rehman’s criminal empire but also continued his cousin’s conflicts, including the long-standing rivalry with Arshad Pappu.
Uzair Baloch’s story highlights the grim realities of Lyari’s gang wars, where personal vendettas and brutal acts of violence shaped the underworld. While Dhurandhar dramatizes these events for cinema, the real-life accounts remain chillingly intense.
Akshaye Khanna plays the crime kingpin Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar who is killed in a staged encounter.
It was around the same time that Uzair was also arrested by Chaudhry Aslam Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt, in Dhurandhar, but was later released, thanks to Rehman’s connections with politicians. But, even this took two years as Uzair was imprisoned in the Karachi central prison.. As per a report by Dawn, Uzair was not interested in joining Rehman’s gang at first, but he was persuaded since they had a common enemy.
Uzair Baloch’s dominance after Rehman Dakait’s encounter
Rehman Dakait was killed in an encounter in 2009 and while many eyebrows were raised about who was behind the murder, Uzair Baloch decided to take charge of the gang since he was the de facto leader at this point. He also took over Rehman’s political party, People’s Aman Committee (PAC), which had a strong hold on Lyari elections. Much like the film, Uzair and Rehman had a connection with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and after Rehman’s death, PPP continued to protect Uzair till 2012.
In 2011, PAC was dissolved under the Anti-terrorism Act in Pakistan. Uzair could not contest elections under his party now, but posters of his face, and his dominance in Lyari continued.
Rivalry between Nabil Gabol and Uzair Baloch
Rakesh Bedi’s character Jameel Jamali is loosely based on the Pakistani politician Nabil Gabol and as per Vice News’ 2012 documentary on Lyari, ‘Guide to Karachi’, it is obvious that Nabil and Aslam had joined hands, and their main mission was to get rid of Uzair. It was in 2012 that PPP and PAC were completely at war with each other, and this reportedly started the ‘Lyari grand operation’ in 2012, led by Chaudhary Aslam.
The Vice documentary shows that Nabil, who was the local elected representative of the are, had not visited Lyari in 4 years. Nabil and Uzair are completely at odds with each other at this point. The locals described Uzair as “Robin Hood” and questioned Nabil’s absence. Nabil’s first visit in Lyari had him carrying a gun as he said that Lyari had a “Chicago-like mafia.” Uzair, who was being targeted at this point, said that this was happening because of the local good that he had done in the area.
Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is set in Pakistan’s Lyari.
Uzair Baloch’s multi-storey house with swimming pool in Lyari
The area of Lyari in Karachi is known for the local gang wars but it is often stated that the locals here struggled for clean water, and wages. In such a place, Uzair, who was known for his extortion rackets and drug dealings, built himself a 4-floor mansion with a swimming pol.
Arshad Pappu’s killing on the streets
In 2013, years after the death of Rehman Dakait, Uzair Baloch got hold of Arshad Pappu and killed him. It is said that parts of his body were mutilated and burnt on the streets of Lyari. Some eyewitnesses claim that Arshad’s head was used as a football by Uzair and his men after they killed him on the streets of Lyari. In the film, Arshad Pappu makes a small appearance when Rakesh Bedi’s Jameel plans to get Rehman Dakait killed via Chaudhry Aslam. Here, Arshad is shown as a co-conspirator. It appears that his character will significance in the sequel.
Sanjay Dutt plays Chaudhary Aslam in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar.
By 2014, there were over 50 cases of extortion against Uzair and he was also involved in killings of many gangsters and police officers. The government issued a warrant against him but before his arrest, he managed to leave the country. In 2015, he was arrested by Interpol at Dubai International Airport and brought back to Pakistan.
In 2020, Uzair was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and sent to Karachi Central Jail. Just a few days ago, Uzair was acquitted in a 2012 arms case due to lack of evidence. He continues to be in prison.
