Pakistan’s struggling film industry has reportedly suffered another embarrassing setback after Mera Lyari, a film promoted by some local commentators as Pakistan’s answer to action entertainers like Dhurandhar, was allegedly pulled from theatres following dismal ticket sales.

According to reports circulating in Pakistani media and social platforms, the film managed to sell only 22 tickets across multiple screenings before cinema operators decided to remove it due to poor audience response.

The reported collapse of Mera Lyari has triggered widespread ridicule online, with social media users mocking the gap between the film’s aggressive promotion and its apparent failure to attract viewers. Critics described the episode as another sign of the severe crisis facing Pakistan’s entertainment industry.

The film, which attempted to portray gang culture and street life in Karachi’s Lyari area, had been marketed as a gritty action drama aimed at reviving interest in Pakistani cinema. However, analysts say weak storytelling, poor production quality and limited audience confidence in local films continue to haunt the industry.

Pakistan’s cinema sector has struggled for years due to financial instability, shrinking theatre infrastructure, censorship concerns and competition from foreign content. Several cinema halls across the country have either shut down or drastically reduced operations amid falling footfall.

Industry observers argue that repeated commercial failures are exposing deeper structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s entertainment ecosystem. Producers often struggle with limited budgets, inadequate technical resources and a lack of strong distribution networks.

The reported failure of Mera Lyari has also reignited debate about whether Pakistan’s film industry can realistically compete with regional cinema industries, particularly India’s Bollywood and South Indian productions, which dominate audience interest across South Asia.

Many Pakistani social media users sarcastically compared the film’s alleged 22-ticket sale figure to private family screenings, while others blamed the country’s worsening economic conditions for keeping audiences away from theatres altogether.

Critics say the episode reflects not only the declining state of Pakistan’s film business but also a broader cultural and economic downturn affecting creative industries in the country. Neither the filmmakers nor cinema operators officially confirmed the exact ticket sales figures, but reports of empty theatres have continued to circulate widely online.

Disclaimer : This image is taken from Firstpost.