Ayesha Omar unveils first posters of ‘Mera Lyari’, calls it a labour of love
Actor-producer Ayesha Omar has officially kickstarted the buzz around her upcoming film Mera Lyari by unveiling its first set of covers on social media. The newly released visuals mark the first public look at the project, which is slated to be released soon.
The first cover features Ayesha Omar alongside Dananeer Mobeen, followed by individual character covers spotlighting Samiya Mumtaz, Nayyer Ejaz, Adnan Shah Tipu and Sania Sohail Khan.
The posters maintain a restrained, serious tone, hinting at a story rooted in realism rather than spectacle.
Sharing the covers, Ayesha penned an emotional caption that underscored the personal significance of the project for her.
“Alhamdolilah.
My first baby coming after an intense labour of love, hardwork and commitment.
Releasing soon.”
Mera Lyari arrives at a politically and culturally charged moment.
The film has been positioned as a direct response to India’s recent spy thriller Dhurandhar, which sparked controversy in Pakistan for its depiction of Karachi’s Lyari area as a violent war zone.
Pakistani officials and commentators criticised the film for reinforcing negative stereotypes and engaging in what they described as propaganda storytelling.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon had earlier announced Mera Lyari as a counter-narrative, stating that the film aims to present the “true face of Lyari: peace, prosperity, and pride.” He criticised Dhurandhar for misrepresenting the area and said Pakistan needed to reclaim its own stories through authentic filmmaking.
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:… pic.twitter.com/v2FsVMfWsB
— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) December 13, 2025
Written and directed by Abu Aleeha, known for Taxali Gate, Mera Lyari is executive produced by Ayesha Omar under her banner Hawksbay Productions.
The cast includes Dananeer Mobeen, Samiya Mumtaz, Nayyer Ejaz, Trinette Lucas, Paras Masroor, Adnan Shah Tipu and Shoaib Khan.
The controversy around Dhurandhar has continued to escalate.
Reports last week suggested that the Indian film was not cleared for release in several Gulf countries due to its anti-Pakistan themes. In Karachi, a constitutional petition has been filed alleging the unauthorised use of Pakistan Peoples Party flags, rally footage and the likeness of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in the film’s trailer. The petition also claims the PPP was portrayed as sympathetic to terrorists.
Further objections were raised by the family of Shaheed SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan, a revered anti-terrorism officer who was martyred in 2014. His widow, Noreen Aslam, publicly objected to the trailer’s portrayal of her late husband, warning of legal action if his legacy is misrepresented.
Against this backdrop, Mera Lyari is expected to focus on Lyari’s cultural richness, resilience and everyday life, challenging its repeated portrayal as a hub of violence. While plot details remain under wraps, the release of the first posters signals that the film’s messaging is deliberate, timely and rooted in reclaiming narrative space.