While he initially took pride in the character during the first film’s release in late 2025, the sequel's massive twist has turned his "dabangg" image into a source of cross-border mockery.
The "Spy" Twist That Flipped the Script 🕵️♂️
The Shocking Reveal: In Dhurandhar 2, the cunning Jameel Jamali (played by Rakesh Bedi) is unmasked as a high-level R&AW operative who has been embedded in the Pakistani political system for decades.
The Trolling: Because Nabil Gabol had previously claimed the character was based on his tenure as the MNA of Lyari, Indian social media has been flooded with memes asking if the "real" Gabol is also waiting for a call from New Delhi.
The "Silent" Phase: Gabol had been uncharacteristically quiet since the film’s March 19 release, leading to the viral hashtag #WhereIsJameelJamali.
The Announcement: 'Lyari Ka Gabbar' 🎬
Speaking to a digital content creator yesterday, Friday, March 27, Gabol delivered a fiery response to the "lies" propagated by director Aditya Dhar:
The Counter-Film: He announced he will produce his own movie titled 'Lyari Ka Gabbar'.
The Mission: Gabol stated the film will tell the "real story" of Lyari and its people, countering the "Indian propaganda" that portrays their politicians as foreign agents.
The Stance: "The truth is they cannot fight Pakistan on the battlefield, so they create movies," Gabol remarked. He also took a jab at the casting, questioning why a "comedian" like Rakesh Bedi was chosen to play his "dabangg" (fearless) persona.
Rakesh Bedi’s "Safety First" Response 😂
The veteran actor, whose dialogue "Baccha Hai Tu Mera" is now a national catchphrase, has been quick to distance himself from the real-life heat:
The Disclaimer: Bedi clarified that while he studied several Pakistani politicians for the role, Jameel Jamali is a composite character and not a direct biopic of Gabol.
The "Prediction": Before the sequel released, Bedi had cheekily predicted that once Gabol saw Part 2, he would "hand-deliver a letter saying the character has nothing to do with him!"
Lyari Under Lockdown? 🚫
The controversy has moved beyond cinema screens. Reports from Karachi suggest that the "Dhurandhar Effect" has led to increased local scrutiny in Lyari, with viral clips showing heightened security as the "spy suspicion" from the film bleeds into real-world tensions.
SantaBanta Verdict:
When a movie is so impactful that a sitting politician feels the need to start a film production house just to "reply" to it, you know you’ve moved beyond entertainment into a cultural phenomenon. Whether Lyari Ka Gabbar ever hits the screens remains to be seen, but for now, the box office belongs to the "spy" Jameel Jamali!
