WEBDESK — Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, is winning praise from critics and audiences alike, but one of the film’s biggest talking points has little to do with its performances or plot twists.
Although the story unfolds in Lyari, one of Karachi’s most recognisable neighbourhoods, the film was not shot there. In fact, it wasn’t filmed in either of the countries most viewers assume.
The truth? The gritty streets, narrow alleys and weathered facades of Lyari seen on screen were entirely recreated thousands of kilometres away.
Lyari, rebuilt far from home
Skipping both South Asia entirely, the makers of Dhurandhar recreated Lyari on a custom-built six-acre set in Bangkok, Thailand. The neighbourhood shown in the film does not exist as a real location but was painstakingly designed from scratch under the supervision of production designer Saini S Johray.
A behind-the-scenes video shared on social media last week offered a rare glimpse into the ambitious build, revealing how the fictional Lyari was constructed in record time.
Research over shortcuts
To achieve authenticity, the art department immersed itself in extensive research. Old Pakistani films, archival newspaper images, headlines, and online footage were studied to replicate Lyari’s lived-in character. Everything — from wall textures and signage to window grills and street layouts — was designed to feel authentic.
With a largely Thai crew on board, special care was taken to remove any visual cues that could reveal the set’s true location.
Why Thailand made sense
Initially, the plan was to build the set in Mumbai, but unpredictable monsoon rains and space limitations forced a rethink. No studio in Mumbai could accommodate a six-acre outdoor set, making Thailand the most practical option.
According to Johray, the entire set was completed in just 20 days, thanks to close collaboration with local Thai artists. Nearly 500 Indian and Thai crew members worked day and night to meet the deadline.
Craft beyond borders
The result is a Lyari that feels real, raw and immersive — even though it exists only on a film set. The recreated neighbourhood has emerged as one of Dhurandhar’s most impressive achievements, proving that with enough research, scale and commitment, storytelling can convincingly cross borders.
For audiences, it’s a reminder that cinema’s greatest illusions often begin far from where the story is set — and that authenticity is sometimes built, brick by brick, in the most unexpected places.
