In a bold move that blends entertainment with regional pride, the Sindh government has officially announced the production of a new feature film, Mera Lyari (My Lyari). Announced on December 13, 2025, by Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, the project is a direct response to the Indian spy-thriller Dhurandhar, which has sparked outrage in Pakistan for its “hyper-nationalist” portrayal of Karachi’s historic neighborhood.
While Dhurandhar (starring Ranveer Singh) depicts Lyari through the lens of gang wars, violence, and espionage, the Pakistani response aims to reclaim the narrative. As Minister Memon put it on X:
Indian movie Dhurandhar is yet another example of negative propaganda by the Indian film industry against Pakistan, especially targeting Lyari. Lyari is not violence—it is culture, peace, talent, and resilience. Next month Mera Lyari will release, showing the true face of Lyari:… pic.twitter.com/v2FsVMfWsB
— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) December 13, 2025
A Star-Studded Defense
To ensure the film has the creative weight to challenge international perceptions, a powerhouse team has been assembled. The film is written and directed by Abu Aleeha (known for the gritty social realism of Taxali Gate) and produced by actor Ayesha Omar.
The film features a “Gen Z” favorite, Dananeer Mobeen, alongside seasoned veterans like Samiya Mumtaz, Nayyar Ejaz, and Adnan Shah Tipu.
Reclaiming the “Mini Brazil”
Rather than focusing on the “war zone” aesthetic often seen in foreign media, Mera Lyari is set to highlight the neighborhood’s actual claim to fame: its status as the “Mini Brazil” of Pakistan. The film will reportedly lean heavily into Lyari’s deep-rooted football culture, its thriving underground hip-hop scene, and the legendary resilience of its people.
The controversy isn’t just limited to the screen; a legal petition was also filed in a Karachi court this week against the makers of Dhurandhar for the unauthorized use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto and PPP party flags, alleging the film misrepresents the political fabric of the region.
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Mera Lyari is slated for a January 2026 release. It stands as a pivotal moment for Pakistani cinema, an attempt to prove that the best way to fight a story you don’t like is to tell a better, more authentic one of your own.
The Sindh government has announced the release of a new film titled ‘Mera Lyari’ in response to the Indian propaganda movie Dhurandhar, which has drawn criticism for its negative portrayal of Pakistan and Lyari area. pic.twitter.com/FVpgTBPHCJ
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) December 14, 2025
