Director Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar emerged as one of India’s biggest box office hits in 2025. The film continued its successful run with its sequel, which released in March 2026.
Now, Pakistan’s Mera Lyari has created buzz after being allegedly pegged as the country’s response to Dhurandhar. The Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar was set in Lyari, a town in Pakistan, where an Indian spy infiltrates powerful local gangs.
Mera Lyari crashes at Pakistani box office
According to reports, Mera Lyari was released in Pakistani theatres on May 8, 2026. However, Pakistani media reports claim that the film suffered a disastrous box office opening, selling just 22 tickets on its first day.
The weak response reportedly led several theatres to pull the film almost immediately. The film is said to have been washed out even before completing a week in cinemas. Social media users have also picked up on the reports, with many trolling the makers online.
Mera Lyari is reportedly inspired by the lives of young girls from Lyari and their fight against deeply rooted conservative norms as they attempt to carve out an identity in society. However, despite its socially relevant theme, reports suggest the film failed to strike an emotional chord with audiences.
Reports further claim that although Dhurandhar was officially banned in Pakistan, pirated copies of the film circulated widely and were viewed by many. The controversy surrounding its release is believed to have sparked efforts to promote homegrown cinema like Mera Lyari and bring local narratives into the spotlight.
Netizens react to Mera Lyari
Many took to social media to react to the film and its poor respone in theatres.
A X user wrote, “You mean to tell me Sindh gov gave them 9cr to make #MeraLyari and everyone that`s watched the film is saying it looks like it was made in somebodies damn basement. What did they use the money for (sic)?”
“Film Mera Liyari failed because they barely promoted it , I got to know about it when I saw pics of celebrities at its premier,” wrote another X user.
Reviewing the film, a user shared on X, “I am sitting in cinema watching #MeraLyari…It feels like a 2-hour-long Play rather than a movie. Excellent cinematography and acting. Good plot but bad story telling full of sluggish moments. The director should understand the difference between TV play and a movie for cinema”.
Government backing and ensemble cast fail to deliver
Directed by Abu Aliha, Mera Lyari featured a notable ensemble cast including Ayesha Omar, Dananeer Mobeen, Samiya Mumtaz, and Trinette Lucas.
Despite strong pre-release buzz and reported backing, the film struggled to attract audiences, reportedly selling just 22 tickets on opening day before being removed from several cinemas.
