Pakistan Announces ‘Mera Lyari’ in Response to Bollywood Film ‘Dhurandhar’
The Sindh government explains the Dhurandhar narrative as 'Negative portrayal' of Lyari; 'Mera Lyari' aims to rectify it.
Pakistan’s Sindh government has announced the release of a new film titled Mera Lyari, seen as a response to the recent Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar. Pakistani officials describe the Indian spy thriller as offering a “negative portrayal” of Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood.
Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun, has been making headlines across South Asia since its release on 5 December 2025. The film is receiving widespread acclaim and strong box office returns worldwide, despite geopolitical controversies and bans in several Gulf nations over alleged anti-Pakistan content.
While praised globally for its storytelling and action, Dhurandhar has faced criticism in Pakistan for depicting Lyari as a hub of crime, including gang wars, drug trafficking, arms trade, fake currency production, and terrorism. The character Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna, is shown entering the world of crime from a young age. Locals often refer to Lyari as the “Mother of Karachi.”
Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh’s Senior Minister for Information and Broadcasting, criticised the film on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “another example of negative propaganda by the Indian film industry against Pakistan, especially targeting Lyari.” He stressed that Lyari represents culture, peace, talent, and resilience—qualities largely ignored in Dhurandhar. He said the upcoming film Mera Lyari will depict the “true face of Lyari: peace, prosperity, and pride.”
The Sindh government tweeted, “Misrepresentation cannot erase reality. Lyari stands for culture, peace, and resilience—not violence. While Dhurandhar spreads propaganda, Mera Lyari will tell the authentic story of pride and prosperity. #MeraLyari releasing January 2026. Indian propaganda against Lyari will never succeed.”
Scheduled for January 2026, Mera Lyari will feature renowned Pakistani actors Nadeem Ejaz, Samina Ahmed, and Dananeer Mobeen, with production by Ayesha Omar and direction by Abu Aleeha.
The announcement highlights a new form of soft power rivalry between India and Pakistan, with audiences anticipating contrasting portrayals of the same locale, reflecting broader social and political narratives.
The article has been autjored by S. Krishna Kumari Patro, an intern at Deccan Chronicle
