Pakistani feature film Mera Lyari is set to make its international debut at the 28th UK Asian Film Festival on May 2, 2026, with a screening scheduled at the British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank in London.
The film, positioned by its makers as a response to the controversial Indian box-office success Dhurandhar, seeks to present what it describes as a more grounded and positive portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari district, often associated in mainstream media with violence and gang-related crime.
Executive producer and actor Ayesha Omar announced the premiere on Saturday, confirming that tickets for the London screening are already available. She said the film is intended to introduce the “spirit of Lyari” to an international audience.
Directed by Abu Aleeha, Mera Lyari reportedly underwent multiple delays before reaching completion. The filmmaker has emphasized the project’s reliance on on-location shooting in Lyari and participation of local residents to enhance authenticity.
According to the production team, nearly 80 percent of the cast, including supporting roles, consists of local football players and residents from the area.
The ensemble cast includes Naeer Ejaz, Parsa Masroor, Samiya Mumtaz, Dananeer Mobeen, Adnan Shah Tipu, and Shuaib Hassan, along with international model Trinette Lucas, who makes her film debut in the project.
The story follows a physically challenged football coach, played by Ayesha Omar, who returns to Lyari to conduct trials for young girls aspiring to play football. Two central characters Afshan, portrayed by Dananeer Mobeen, who resists her father’s strict control, and Kashmala, played by Trinette Lucas, who seeks to escape an arranged marriage — discover football as a path to personal freedom.
The filmmakers describe the narrative as a counterpoint to stereotypical depictions of Lyari, often framed solely through conflict. Instead, Mera Lyari highlights sport, resilience, and youth ambition in a district that has also been dubbed “Little Brazil” for its strong football culture.
The film will premiere at BFI Southbank before its planned theatrical release in Pakistan.