Pakistan Counters Bollywood's 'Dhurandhar' with 'Mera Lyari'

Pakistan’s Sindh provincial government has announced the upcoming release of a new Pakistani film, Mera Lyari, as a direct response to the controversial Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar, officials confirmed this week. The decision marks a notable moment in cultural and cinematic discourse between the neighbouring film industries. 

Senior Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon unveiled posters for Mera Lyari on social media platform X, describing Dhurandhar as “yet another example of negative propaganda by the Indian film industry against Pakistan.” According to Memon, the Pakistani production will aim to present “the true face of Lyari: peace, prosperity and pride,” challenging what officials and critics see as the Indian film’s depiction of the Karachi neighbourhood as a violent war zone. 

Dhurandhar, released in India on 5 December 2025, sparked debate across Pakistan and beyond due to its portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari district and its storyline centring on espionage and gang conflicts. Indian reports indicate the film had not received clearance for release in several Gulf countries — including Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE — amid concerns over its themes and depiction of Pakistan. 

The cast for Mera Lyari includes Pakistani actors Ayesha Omar, Dananeer Mobeen, Samiya Mumtaz, Nayyar Ejaz, Trinette Lucas, Paras Masroor, Adnan Shah Tipu and Shoaib Khan.

The film is written and directed by Abu Aleeha and is executive produced by Omar under her banner, Hawksbay Productions. While details about its plot remain limited, the team and government officials have stressed that Mera Lyari will highlight the neighbourhood’s cultural wealth, community resilience and everyday life beyond stereotypes. 

The announcement follows vocal criticism within Pakistan of Dhurandhar’s narrative. Alongside government responses, a constitutional petition was filed in a Karachi court alleging that the Indian film used imagery related to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former chairperson Benazir Bhutto without authorization and portrayed the PPP in a misleading manner. 

Analysts and film-goers have noted that Dhurandhar’s release provoked mixed reactions, with some audiences praising its production and performances while others objected to its perceived political messaging and interpretation of events. 

Mera Lyari is expected to premiere in early January 2026, providing a homegrown cinematic perspective on Lyari’s vibrant culture — a stark contrast to the conflict-centred depiction audiences saw in Dhurandhar.

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