The Sindh government in Pakistan has come up with a film, ‘Mera Lyari’, which will highlight the culture, talent, and resilience of Karachi’s ‘Lyari’ area. This move of theirs comes in light of the immense popularity of the Bollywood film ‘Dhurandhar’, which is directed by director Aditya Dhar and features Ranveer Singh, and is soon going to join the ‘Rs 300 crore club’.
Dhurandhar sparks continue
Based on real events and crime syndicates in Lyari, Dhurandhar highlights India’s struggle against terrorism in Pakistan. Although apparently well-accepted by the Indian film audience and stars, the government in Sindh states it promotes negative ideology regarding Lyari.
Sharing images of Mera Lyari on X, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated, “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: peace, prosperity, and pride. #MeraLyari."
Sindh Information Department also post on X, writing, "Misrepresentation cannot erase reality. Lyari stands for culture, peace, and resilience—not violence. While Dhurandhar spreads propaganda, Mera Lyari will soon tell the authentic story of pride and prosperity. #MeraLyari movie releasing in January 2026. Indian propaganda against Lyari will never be successful."
Netizens slam ‘Mera Lyari’ announcement
The news got mixed reactions on social media sites. Some netizens criticised the government of Sindh, saying that it is a ‘lame response’ and “The response will badly fail”.
One netizen commented, "Who watch but Mera Layari. Pakistani bhi Dhurandar enjoy kr rhe Mera Layari jaisi movie koi free mai bhi nhi dekhega (Who would even watch Mera Lyari? Even Pakistanis are enjoying Dhurandhar, and a movie like Mera Lyari wouldn’t be watched for free either.)"
Some netizens were in support of Dhurandhar and commented, " I am going to watch Dhurandhar. Seems like a movie showing reality."
Another user commented, “As usual you will show terrorists as your heroes.”
Also Read | ‘Dhurandhar’ banned in 6 Gulf countries over political sensitivities - a complete list
Pakistani audience appreciates Dhurandhar
Ironically, Dhurandhar has gotten a very positive response from Pakistani cinema-goers. A social video on X contains comments from Pakistani civilians abroad. A woman in this video stated, “Movie must-must watch hai. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki acchi acting kisne ki hai. Aur itni acchi movie, mere khyaal mein maine kabhi pehle nahi dekhi. Go and watch it, don’t miss it.” Later, a man from this crowd added, " To all my Pakistani fellows, yeh movie dekhne aayein. Bilkul anti-Pakistan movie nahi hai. History dikhayi gayi hai, facts dikhaye gaye hain...”
With Dhurandhar winning increasing accolades and another film, Mera Lyari, lined up for a release next month, a controversy over the screen image of Lyari’s picture has squarely come into focus in Indian-Pak cinema.
