Speaking to journalists at the movie’s premiere in London, Mobeen was asked if the project served as a response to the Indian propaganda film, to which she said it should be defined by external comparisons instead.

“It’s a disservice to think of this movie as response to another film,” Mobeen said. She added that the movie’s core was extremely special as makers explored a number of themes including women in sports.

Directed by Abu Aleeha, Mera Lyari follows the lives of female footballers in Lyari, focusing on the hardships faced by women pursuing careers in sports.

“There are so many layers in this story so watching the film from one angle would be injustice. We all should watch this movie from bird’s eye view. It’s a beautiful film, it’s a beautiful image of Lyari,” Mobeen said when asked about comparisons between her new movie and the Bollywood flick that presented a fictitious version of the Lyari gang war.

The actress also spoke about her experience filming in the Karachi neighbourhood, noting that she felt welcomed. “I didn’t feel that there’s something totally different as Pakistan overall is a very hospitable country,” she said.

While fans are praising Mobeen’s maturity, saying she “speaks sense”, the actor’s red-carpet attire has also drawn attention for its cultural symbolism.

Wearing a traditional Baloch shalwar paired with a structured corset featuring illustrations of girls playing football, Mobeen also had jewelry and nail art specifically referencing Lyari and her character Afsana Baloch.

Read more:Dananeer Mobeen Gets Real About Her Skin Struggles and Acne

Shakun Batra’s critically acclaimed family drama Kapoor & Sonshas completed a decade since its release. In a recent interview, the filmmaker looked back on the film’s challenging journey, revealing that multiple actors initially turned it down due to discomfort with its subtle portrayal of a closeted gay character, causing a two-year delay between the script’s completion and the start of filming.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Shakun Batra said, “There was a two-year gap between when the film was written and when it got made. A lot of actors turned it down in the beginning. Actors weren’t comfortable playing homosexuals back then, and at one point I thought I needed to move on-I’d never get to make the film. Fawad loved the script and called me to ask, ‘Is homosexuality a whisper or a shout?’ I told him it was a whisper, and he was on board. That’s the only conversation we had-that homosexuality would be presented in a subtle manner, without saying it out loud.”

He added, “There are little hints, like tangerine shoes or self-conscious moments with his mother. We wanted families to connect to the film and feel this person could be part of their family, and it does not change anything. We didn’t show anything that would be off-putting. I remember watching the scene where Fawad Khan breaks down in front of Ratna Pathak Shah, saying he isn’t the perfect son, and I haven’t been so touched by any other scene. I watched it from the lens of an audience, not a filmmaker.”

The filmmaker furthermore revealed how there wasn’t a single day on set when there wasn’t an argument with the late Rishi Kapoor.

Shakun Batra said, “But he showered me with so much love after watching the movie. He invited me for dinner at Royal China, and it was a weird date where he let his guard down and told me how much love he received for the character.”

He said, “Greg Cannom, the Oscar-winning makeup artist who had done Benjamin Button’s look for Brad Pitt, was in India, and he agreed to do Rishiji’s makeup. At that point, there were very few artists doing that quality of silicone prosthetics. Neetuji (Kapoor) could not recognise him in his getup.”

Read more: Who will be Mahira Khan’s next co-star: Fawad Khan or Shah Rukh Khan?

“Overwhelmed and so emotional. Thank you Berlinale for the love. Tonight we celebrate Lali and the maestro behind it.”

With those words, actress Meher Bano captured a career defining moment as she stepped onto the global stage at the Berlin International Film Festival 2026.

The Pakistani star, who plays the wise and layered character of Bholi in Lali, has been documenting every second of the whirlwind experience from red carpet glam to behind the scenes chaos and fans back home can’t get enough.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, Lali has created history as the first all Pakistani feature to screen at Berlinale, premiering in the prestigious Panorama section.

Set in Sahiwal and described as a darkly comic fever dream, the film follows newlyweds Zeba and Sajawal as superstition, tragedy, and societal pressure collide in hauntingly poetic fashion.

But while the film was busy winning applause, Meher was quietly fighting a different battle Berlin fashion struggles.

In her social media updates, the actress candidly shared the chaos behind pulling together her festival looks in a foreign city. From last minute fittings to navigating freezing Berlin weather, it wasn’t all seamless glamour.

Yet, in true star style, she turned pressure into polish. For the big night, she wore a lovingly crafted custom ensemble by CollectedXX, embracing understated elegance with a distinctly Pakistani touch.

“I will be bombarding my page with Berlinale posts for the next few days, so bear with me,” she joked and seemingly no one’s complaining.

The premiere itself, held between February 14-19, marked an emotional milestone not just for the cast but for Pakistani cinema at large.

As cameras flashed and audiences responded warmly to the film’s bold storytelling, Meher’s pride was evident. Her tribute to the maestro behind it  Khoosat, reflected the collective effort that brought Lali to life.

The film also stars Mamya Shajaffar and Channan Hanif in leading roles, with a dynamic supporting cast including Rasti Farooq. Produced under Khoosat Films in collaboration with Enso Studios, the project’s soundtrack features music by Abdullah Siddiqui and Punjabi hip-hop artist Star Shah.

As Berlinale celebrations continue, one thing is clear, this isn’t just a festival appearance. It’s a defining chapter.

Meher Bano is a Pakistani actress, singer, and creative force known for her bold artistic choices and powerful screen presence.

Over the years, she has carved a niche for herself by taking on unconventional roles and speaking candidly about the realities of the entertainment industry.

Read more: Mehar Bano Breaks Silence on Harassment in Showbiz