“There’s a real photo of Dawood from Karachi that nobody has seen…. “ - INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST

In this deep-dive episode of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience, host Prakhar Gupta engages investigative journalist Aditya Rajkawal in a sprawling, two-hour conversation that dissects the real-world inspirations behind the blockbuster film 'Dharamyudh' (referred to as 'Durandar' in the transcript). Rajkawal, a seasoned journalist with NDTV and a key research consultant on the film, reveals that 'Dharamyudh' is a docu-fiction blending verified intelligence operations with creative dramatization. He discusses the real-life figures behind fictional characters like Hamza Ali Mazari and Nabil Gabol—based on figures like Altaf Hussain and real operatives such as Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir—and confirms that the film's portrayal of Indian intelligence, counter-terrorism, and covert ops in Pakistan is grounded in truth. The conversation spans the mystery of Dawood Ibrahim’s unverified later-life photos, the role of ISI and Lashkar-e-Toiba, the use of 'unknown gunmen' in Karachi, and the broader geopolitical context of India-Pakistan relations. Rajkawal also shares personal stories of threats he’s received, the resilience of Kashmiri Pandits, and the evolving narrative around national security in India. He praises the film’s authenticity, its impact on Indian cinema, and the courage of its creators, while emphasizing that intelligence work is a silent, high-stakes game played far beyond the screen.