Posters inspired by the Bollywood movie Dhurandhar, targeting Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and commending Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have surfaced in various areas of Lucknow and Amethi. These posters have stirred a political controversy ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The posters, prominently displayed outside the Amethi railway station and at strategic intersections, feature slogans along with images of Akhilesh Yadav and Yogi Adityanath. One slogan reads, “What do you want? Akhilesh’s Lyari rule,” while another proclaims “Dhurandhar CM” alongside Yogi Adityanath’s picture.
These posters make references to Lyari, a neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, known for gang conflicts and violence, as depicted in the movie Dhurandhar. Erected by a group named “Youth Against Mafia,” the billboards juxtapose instances of unrest and violence during Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership with the current administration’s efforts to combat crime under Yogi Adityanath.
Abhinav Tiwari, the group’s general secretary, stated that the campaign aims to educate Generation Z about the historical law and order issues in Uttar Pradesh. He clarified that their organization is comprised of students and is not affiliated with any political party.
Additionally, the posters showcase the names and pictures of the organization’s key members, including the executive president, general secretary, and Pratapgarh in-charge. Similar displays were also reported in several locations across Lucknow.
The Samajwadi Party has criticized this campaign, labeling it as a political vendetta. Amethi district spokesperson Rajesh Mishra accused the ruling BJP of “frustration and desperation” and claimed that the public is wise to such attempts to deceive voters.
Ravi Singh, in-charge of the Amethi police station, confirmed that authorities have been alerted about the posters, and a team has been dispatched to investigate the matter.