Former Pakistani lawmaker Nabil Gabol has voiced his displeasure with his depiction in the recently released Bollywood film Dhurandhar. The spy thriller, which stars Ranveer Singh and is directed by Aditya Dhar, has stirred considerable conversation across the Indian subcontinent, with some praising its technical aspects and performances, while others have criticized it for allegedly promoting hateful propaganda.

Dhurandhar weaves a narrative set in Pakistan's Lyari Town, blending fictional elements with real-life incidents and incorporating characters based on actual individuals. Rakesh Bedi portrays Jameel Jamali in the film, a character inspired by Nabil Gabol, a former Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Minister of State for Ports and Shipping.

Gabol has criticized the film, particularly his own portrayal. He believes that Bedi failed to accurately capture his "dabbang" (audacious) personality. Gabol stated that the filmmakers did not portray his role properly. He also claimed that the film attempts to depict Lyari as a terrorist hub, which he strongly denies. According to Gabol, "Agar inka koi agent Lyari aa jata toh woh zinda-salammat Lyari se nahi jata (If their agent had come to Lyari, he would not have left Lyari alive)".

Rakesh Bedi, in an interview, acknowledged that the character of Jamali was based on a real-life politician but refrained from naming Gabol. Bedi mentioned studying Gabol's visuals, body language, and speeches to prepare for the role. He described the character as a fox-like figure who manages to stay in power regardless of the ruling government, suggesting that such individuals exist in India as well.

When asked about potentially seeking an international ban on Dhurandhar, Gabol stated that he lacks the financial resources to do so. He also criticized the film for tarnishing Pakistan's image. Despite this, Dhurandhar has reportedly become popular in Pakistan through torrent downloads. Several Middle Eastern countries have banned the film due to its alleged anti-Pakistani content.

Dhurandhar, released on December 5, 2025, has reportedly grossed ₹739.5 crore in 15 days, including ₹160 crore from overseas screens and ₹579.5 crore in gross domestic collection. The net domestic collection had surpassed ₹500 crore by Day 16.

Nabil Gabol was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 2024 Pakistani general election as a candidate of the PPP from constituency NA-239 Karachi South-I.