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Ayesha Omar says filming in the old area showed a community that’s much kinder and friendlier than its history suggests.
BY Mahnoor | 08-May-2026
KARACHI:
Lyari’s story is usually told through police reports, political clashes, and sad TV clips. But the ‘Mera Lyari’ team says their film will show a different side of this old Karachi area – one with kindness, sports, laughter, and a strong sense of community.
Actress Ayesha Omar, while promoting something in Karachi, said filming in Lyari changed her. She found the area more friendly and lively than people think.
“I was never afraid in Lyari,” she said at a gathering in Karachi. She remembered working there for months without any guards. “The news and what people thought made Lyari seem scary,” she added. “But it was actually much nicer than I expected.”
Before its release on May 9, the film’s actors, producers, and team members gathered for an event. Omar spoke about filming in Lyari, saying it changed how she saw the area.
Omar said she often went to Lyari while filming and always felt safe. She didn’t even need security because the people were very kind and lively.
The actor mentioned the movie was filmed in very harsh weather, as filming continued during Karachi’s hot summer. She stated, “Filming was done in extreme heat, making it hard to keep working.” Although it was challenging, Omar is thrilled about the movie’s release in Pakistan.
Filming started in May and ended in July. The movie includes Lyari’s football scene in its story. Omar said the football team in the movie is made up of real young men from Lyari, making the project more real.
Omar mentioned seeing an unrealistic movie about similar communities in India and stopping it midway. She said ‘Mera Lyari,’ however, allowed her to personally witness “the real life and people of Lyari.”
She also said the project’s creative direction changed many times during its making. Omar mentioned the first version of the movie was done last year. It was first called ‘Behnaz’ but was later changed to ‘Mera Lyari’.
The actor thanked the Sindh government for their help with the movie, which included money and support. She said the government made things easy and even promoted the film online.
Producer Waqar Rizvi spoke about Lyari’s love for sports, saying it now has 36 football fields. Girls use them in the morning, and boys play in the evening. He also mentioned they’re planning to build three more football stadiums there.
Omar discussed women’s safety in entertainment, stating she actively works to ensure female crew members on her sets feel safe and shielded from harassment or unease.
Dananeer Mobeen, the main actor in ‘Mera Lyari,’ went to its showing at the UK Asian Film Festival in London this week. She clarified that the film isn’t a reaction to the Indian movie ‘Dhurandhar.’ Instead, it’s meant to be an encouraging story about Lyari and its diverse culture.
It’s wrong to say this movie is just a reaction to another film. The heart of this movie is unique. We touched on many topics: Lyari, football, women’s football, women in sports, and South Asian women in sports, she said.
The actor also mentioned that the movie’s complex story shouldn’t be understood in only one way. He said, “There are many layers to this story, so focusing on just one aspect would be a mistake.” Dananeer added, “We should look at the film from a broader perspective and remember all the important ideas.”
Dananeer encouraged viewers to appreciate the whole movie, saying, “It’s a lovely film. It beautifully shows Lyari, the women in it, and what we’ve seen there. You need to watch it to understand.”
