The Sindh government has announced the production of a new film titled ‘Mera Lyari’, positioning it as a response to the Indian movie Dhurandhar, which has faced criticism over its portrayal of Pakistan and Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood.

Since its release, the Bollywood movie has faced criticism for portraying Lyari as a conflict-ridden area. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the portrayal was misleading and part of what he described as a broader narrative against Pakistan.

“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, which is about peace, prosperity and pride,” Memon said in a post on social media platform X.

Dhurandhar, which was released on December 5, drew mixed reactions in India and is loosely inspired by the gang war in Lyari from nearly two decades ago. While some viewers defended the film, others criticised its depiction, leading to debate within and without the country.

Viewers in Pakistan called the movie propaganda and also questioned why local filmmakers had not previously highlighted real stories that reflected the nation's history and culture.

Memon, who also serves as Sindh's information minister, claimed that Dhurandhar misrepresents Lyari, which he described as an area renowned for social harmony and cultural diversity.

He added that Mera Lyari, the Sindhi-language film, aims to present the neighbourhood’s reality to both domestic and international audiences.

Separately, a constitutional petition was filed in a Karachi court against Dhurandhar over the alleged unauthorised use of images of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) flag, and party rally footage in the film’s trailer.

Muhammad Amir, a PPP activist, submitted a petition to the District and Sessions Court (South), Karachi, seeking the registration of an FIR [First Information Report] against those involved in the film’s production and promotion.