Ever since its blockbuster release on December 5, 2025, Dhurandhar has dominated conversations online and in cinemas alike. This gripping spy thriller, helmed by Aditya Dhar, has brought back discussions on one of Pakistan’s most debated historical issues: the mafia-controlled era of Lyari. Featuring Ranveer Singh in a high-intensity undercover role, along with Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna, the movie vividly recreates the brutal gang conflicts in Karachi’s infamous Lyari area that shook Pakistan during the early 2000s.
Akshaye Khanna delivers a standout performance as the menacing gangster Rehman Dakait, while Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas to the character of SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan – the officer who neutralised Dakait in a police operation. By blending factual elements with dramatic storytelling, Dhurandhar has left audiences eager to learn about the actual Chaudhry Aslam Khan. Known as a modern-day action hero for his bold fight against crime, he also faced criticism for his involvement in encounter-style operations in Pakistan. Here’s a closer look at his remarkable journey:
Who was the real-life SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan?
Chaudhry Aslam Khan served as a high-ranking officer in the Sindh Police, recognised as one of Pakistan’s toughest anti-crime warriors. Born in 1963 in Arghushal village, Mansehra district, to lawyer Akram Khan, he hailed from the Swati tribe’s Arghushal clan. After completing early schooling, Aslam relocated to Karachi with his family – the city where he would later confront Rehman Dakait.
He entered the Sindh Police in 1984 as an Assistant Sub-Inspector. With his determined approach, Aslam climbed the ladder quickly, reaching Inspector rank and heading to Gulbahar police station as SHO in 1987. His momentum built in 1999 with a promotion to Deputy Superintendent of Police in Nazimabad.
In the 2000s, he occupied crucial roles, advancing to Superintendent of Police in 2005. By 2010, he led the Anti-Extremism Crime Wing within the Criminal Investigation Department. From 2005 to 2013, Aslam directed major actions against gang members, extremists, and assassins tied to outlawed groups.
How did he lock horns with Rehman Dakait?
The rivalry between SP Chaudhry Aslam and Rehman Dakait forms one of Karachi’s bloodiest and most debated sagas, now dramatised in Dhurandhar. In the 1990s, Aslam built his name as an encounter expert through aggressive operations, though he endured suspensions and probes before returning stronger in 2004 to target assassins. Leading the Lyari Task Force, he plunged into a fierce battle for control against Rehman Dakait.
The inevitable clash escalated. In 2006, Aslam faced arrest linked to a gangster’s death but secured bail that year. The feud climaxed in 2009 when Rehman Dakait died in a police encounter. Authorities described it as self-defence, but many claimed it was premeditated. Dhurandhar reimagines this tense confrontation, mixing justice, law enforcement, and revenge in Lyari’s dangerous streets.
A key difference draws debate: the film shows Ranveer Singh’s Hamza Mazari collaborating with Aslam to take down Rehman. Historical accounts, however, point to Chaudhry Aslam personally leading the operation that ended the notorious figure.
What happened to SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan after Rehman Dakait’s death?
After Dakait’s elimination, Chaudhry Aslam remained deeply involved in Karachi’s ongoing battle against crime, gaining even greater prominence. He pushed hard to clear out remaining threats from the troubled area. Success, though, attracted dangerous foes from militant networks he’d challenged over the years.
On January 9, 2014, vengeance struck. An explosives-packed vehicle targeted Aslam’s convoy on the Lyari Expressway in Essa Nagri, Karachi. The explosion claimed Aslam, two fellow officers, his guard, and driver. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan accepted blame, naming him a priority enemy. Disturbingly, probes uncovered that his driver and bodyguard had informed the attackers of his route.
Pakistan blames India for SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan’s assassination
Authorities in Pakistan quickly connected Aslam’s killing to India’s RAW agency. In 2017, they alleged that detained Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav, accused of spying and sabotage in Balochistan, facilitated the operation.
ISPR, the military’s media arm, shared a video of Jadhav allegedly admitting that RAW orchestrated the hit under ex-chief Anil Dhasmana. India rejected these accusations outright, labelling the statement forced, manipulated, and coerced, while charging Pakistan with exploiting the tragedy for propaganda.
Who knows, perhaps Dhurandhar Part 2, set for release next year in March 2026, will touch on such intrigue.
What do you think about SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan’s character in Dhurandhar? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
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