From reel to real: Viral video puts spotlight on Lyari after Dhurandhar made it a household name

The conversation around Dhurandhar is still very active, even days after the film’s release. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has been performing strongly at the box office and is being counted among the biggest hits of 2025. Along with discussions around the film’s story and scale, another topic has quietly gained traction. The location where the story is set. Lyari Town in Karachi.

As viewers continue to engage with the film, curiosity around Lyari has grown steadily. This interest has now found a clear outlet on social media, where a video offering a look at the ‘real Lyari’ is going viral and being widely shared.

Dhurandhar brings focus to its setting

Dhurandhar has been smashing box office records left, right and centre. The spy drama has also brought attention to Karachi and its Lyari Town area, which is where the story is set. As a result, viewers have begun discussing not just the film, but also the place shown in it.

This interest has remained focused on understanding the setting better, especially through visual content available online.

Viral Instagram video offers a tour of ‘Real Lyari’

Amid this ongoing discussion, a video shared on Instagram by content creator Maryam Khatri has gone viral. Posted a few days ago, the video offers users a tour of what is described as the ‘real Lyari’.

The clip shows Maryam travelling through Lyari. The video highlights colourful walls, busy streets, and active markets. As she moves through the area, she also points out facilities present there, including a stadium. The focus of the video stays on everyday visuals and regular activity within the locality.

A look different from film portrayals

Lyari is one of Karachi’s oldest and most densely populated localities. Over the years, it has often been associated with gang wars, police crackdowns and the drug trade. These associations have shaped how the area is commonly portrayed in films.

The viral video presents visuals that appear different from this familiar portrayal. Instead of focusing on conflict, the clip shows streets, markets and public spaces that reflect daily movement and routine life. This contrast is what many viewers are noticing after watching Dhurandhar.

Was Dhurandhar shot in Lyari?

Although Dhurandhar is set in Lyari, the filmmakers did not shoot the film at the actual location. As reported by News18, Lyari was recreated on an elaborate set in Bangkok for Aditya Dhar’s film. Around 500 workers built a massive six-acre set within just 20 days, carefully designing narrow streets, busy market areas and the rugged look needed for the story.

This detail has also become part of online conversations, especially as viewers compare the recreated set with visuals seen in the viral video.

Disclaimer: The Times of India does not endorse or verify the authenticity of the viral video or the claims made in it. The views, opinions and claims expressed in the video are solely those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of The Times of India. The content is based on publicly available social media posts and is shared for information purposes only.
Thumb image: Instagram/ Maryam Khatri