KARACHI – Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Nabil Gabol has addressed Indian veteran actor Rakesh Bedi regarding his portrayal of ‘Jamil Jamali’ in the controversial Indian propaganda film Dharandhar. The film, which features characters based on real-life figures like Rehman Baloch and Chaudhry Aslam, has sparked intense discussion in India and Pakistan. Gabol’s counterpart in the movie, ‘Jamil Jamali’, has gained significant notoriety, leading to a surge in Gabol’s popularity across the border.
The Lyari Connection and Cultural Exchange
In a recent interview with Indian content creator Navin Giri, Nabil Gabol highlighted the diversity of his constituency, Lyari. He stated that Lyari is often called ‘Mini Pakistan’ as it is a melting pot where Hindus, Christians, and people of all faiths coexist, though the Baloch and Kutchi communities form the majority. Reflecting on the historical influence of Bollywood in Karachi, he shared that in 1974, his father brought the first VCR to Karachi and people used to flock to his house to watch Indian films, noting that Sholay ran at their place for an entire month.
On Indo-Pak Relations and ‘Aman ki Asha’
Addressing the “Aman ki Asha” initiative, the MNA emphasized that peace is a two-way street. He criticized the Indian government’s habit of blaming Pakistan immediately after any incident in Kashmir without investigation. Gabol asserted that Pakistan never wants war, but if war is imposed upon the country, the world must remember that Pakistan is a nuclear power.
Message to Rakesh Bedi
Responding to Rakesh Bedi’s comment that he “doesn’t know who Nabil Gabol is” and simply studied various political characters for the role, Gabol offered a direct rebuttal. He pointed out that the character Jamil Jamali is depicted as the MNA of Lyari in 2007, and since he was the actual MNA of Lyari from 2002 onwards, one cannot play such a role and then claim ignorance.
While Gabol expressed deep respect for Bedi as a senior artist, he critiqued the portrayal of his character as a sycophant. He maintained that he is a ‘Dabang’ (bold) person in reality and it would have been better if the role had reflected that bravery instead of a negative shade.
Box Office Phenomenon
The discussion comes as Dharandhar 2 continues its record-breaking run at the box office, reportedly crossing the 1,000 crore mark globally. Despite its propaganda labels, the film has undeniably put the spotlight back on the complex political landscape of Lyari and its representatives.
