“It’s a story we truly believe in.”
The trailer for the movie Mera Lyari has been released, and it promises to be a very emotional journey.
This film is being described as the answer from Pakistan to the popular and high-energy movie titled Dhurandhar.
It is written and directed by Abu Aleeha, and it centres on the famous historic Karachi neighbourhood of Lyari.
The story explores the deep love that young girls in this area have for the sport of professional football.
Audiences can expect the film to be released in Pakistan on May 8, 2026, following its premiere in the United Kingdom.
It was first showcased at the UK Asian Film Festival, where it received attention for its very powerful narrative.
The plot follows Ayesha Omar as a coach who suffered a bad injury likely caused by domestic abuse.
After escaping the area, she returns to Lyari to teach young girls how to play the game of football.
Among her students are Afsana, played by Dananeer Mobeen and Kashmala, who is portrayed by the actress Trinette Lucas.
These young characters train with their coach in secret to escape various troubles they face within their own homes.
The trailer highlights how the father of Afsana subjects her to abuse when he finds out she plays football.
Her father is angry because he sees his daughter “wearing pants and playing football” during her secret training sessions.
In contrast, the mother of the young girl remains very supportive of her daughter and her athletic football dreams.
Ayesha Omar also serves as the executive producer for this project under her own banner called Hawks Bay Studios.
She stated that the team was happy because “It’s a story we truly believe in” for the local audience.
Ayesha called it “a story of resilience, identity and the courage to rise, even when the odds are stacked against you.”
She said the film was “extremely close to our hearts” and she was glad to share the whole journey.
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The director Abu Aleeha mentioned that the greatest strength of this movie is its high level of social authenticity.
It was shot entirely in Lyari by people who actually live there and understand the local culture very well.
About eighty percent of the cast includes local inhabitants who are actual members of the neighbourhood football teams there.
This includes many supporting actors and even the leading man, Shoaib Hassan, who is a resident of Lyari.
Ayesha Omar believes that this project is much more than just a typical movie for her and her team.
It aims to give a voice to the voiceless girls who want to break free from their societal chains.
The emotional depth of the trailer suggests that Mera Lyari will resonate deeply with many viewers across the country.
Fans are excited to see Dananeer Mobeen take on a serious role that is different from her previous work.
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