‘Mera Lyari’, Pakistan's Response To ‘Dhurandhar’, Sells Just 22 Tickets; Removed From Theatres Within Days: Reports
Pakistani film ‘Mera Lyari’, touted as a response to Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise, reportedly suffered a disastrous theatrical run after selling just 22 tickets on opening day.
In what can only be described as one of the most staggering box office contrasts in recent cinematic history, the highly discussed Pakistani feature film ‘Mera Lyari’ has met a shockingly abrupt end to its theatrical run. Directed by Abu Aleeha, the movie was heavily positioned and widely alleged to be Pakistan’s definitive cinematic answer to the Indian blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’. However, the final verdict from the audience has been delivered, and the numbers are nothing short of a theatrical catastrophe.
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According to reports, ‘Mera Lyari’ was unceremoniously removed from theatres within mere days of its release. The reason? A completely unprecedented lack of audience interest. On its opening day, the highly publicized counter-narrative managed to sell a dismal, almost unbelievable total of just 22 tickets. In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of entertainment and cinema, selling less than two dozen tickets on an opening day is a glaring red flag, prompting exhibitors and theatre owners to swiftly pull the project from their screens.
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The sheer magnitude of this debacle is best understood when placed directly alongside the monumental success of the film it was allegedly responding to. Aditya Dhar’s popular spy thriller franchise, ‘Dhurandhar’, has been tearing through the box office, rewriting records, and cementing its status as a global juggernaut. While ‘Mera Lyari’ struggled to find even a handful of viewers to fill a single row in a cinema hall, Aditya Dhar’s espionage masterpiece comfortably crossed the staggering Rs 1300 crore mark at the box office, while its sequel ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ crossing Rs 1700 crore mark worldwide.
For weeks leading up to its release, ‘Mera Lyari’ was the subject of intense chatter. It was touted not just as a movie, but as a direct response to the narrative and stylistic dominance of ‘Dhurandhar’. Audiences and industry watchers alike were curious to see how Abu Aleeha’s directorial vision would stack up against Aditya Dhar’s mammoth project. The anticipation suggested a potential showdown of narratives. Yet, when the doors finally opened, the theatres remained empty. The cinematic response fell entirely flat, completely rejected by the moviegoers.
Released on May 8, ‘Mera Lyari’ aimed to present a positive image of Karachi's Lyari town and is a sports drama centred on women's football. The movie starred actors like Ayesha Omar, Dananeer Mobeen, Samia Mumtaz, and Trinette Lucas. ‘Mera Lyari’ follows the story of a disabled football coach (Omar) who returns home to Lyari after a long absence to conduct trials for girls in the area. There, Afsana (Mobeen), in defiance of her strict father and Kushmala (Lucas), running from a forced marriage, find an escape in the beautiful game, training in secret with the coach for a shot at competing on a national level.
The film also garnered political interest, with Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon publicly supporting the project, framing it as a counter-narrative to what he described as "negative portrayals from India.
‘Dhurandhar’, directed by Aditya Dhar, is a spy thriller set in Karachi’s Lyari area. The film stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy who infiltrates the gang of Rehman Baloch during the mid-2000s. Through themes of crime, terrorism and espionage, the movie presents a gritty portrayal of Lyari.
To have a highly discussed project pulled from theatres within days is a massive blow to everyone involved. The swift removal underscores the harsh reality of the box office: hype and alleged rivalries cannot replace actual ticket sales. The 22-ticket opening day will likely go down as one of the most surprising commercial failures in recent memory.
