New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- The gritty spy-action thriller Dhurandhar has captivated audiences not only for its high-octane narrative and ensemble cast but also for its evocation of real-world criminal networks - particularly those rooted in Pakistan's notorious Lyari district.

While the filmmakers have not officially confirmed biographical sources for every character, one of the film's most compelling figures - a feared gang leader portrayed in the movie - is allegedly based on Rehman Baloch, also known as Rehman Dakait, a name that once struck fear through the labyrinthine alleys of Lyari. The character is portrayed by Akshaye Khanna.

Lyari, one of Karachi's oldest and most densely populated quarters, gained a reputation over decades as a h...