Actor Dananeer Mobeen has emphasized that her upcoming film Mera Lyari should not be viewed as a reaction to any other project, urging audiences to appreciate its broader cultural and social themes.
Speaking at the UK Asian Film Festival held at BFI Southbank, Mobeen addressed online speculation suggesting the film is a response to Dhurandhar. She firmly rejected the comparison, calling it a “disservice” to the film’s deeper message.
“It’s a disservice to boil this movie down to a response to another film. The core and crux of this movie is so special,” she said during the discussion.
Mobeen explained that Mera Lyari explores multiple layered narratives, including the cultural identity of Lyari, women’s participation in sports, and the rise of female football culture within South Asian communities.
“There are so many themes that we have explored in this film. We have explored Lyari, football culture, female football culture, women in sports, South Asian women in sports,” she added.
She further urged viewers to approach the film with a broader perspective rather than focusing on comparisons or external narratives. “There are so many layers in this story so to see it from this angle, I think will be a disservice,” she noted, encouraging audiences to adopt a “bird-eye view” of the project.
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Mobeen also described the film as a tribute to the spirit and resilience of Lyari and its communities, particularly highlighting the role of women in shaping its sporting and cultural identity.
“It’s a beautiful film. It was a beautiful image of Lyari, all the women we have shown and what we have seen over there,” she said, adding that the full context of the story will be best understood once audiences watch the film.
Set to release on May 8, Mera Lyari aims to present a nuanced portrayal of a historically rich neighborhood through the lens of sport, gender, and community life.