Building Lyari From Scratch: Inside the 20 Day Miracle Behind Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar
For Dhurandhar, the makers recreated Pakistan’s iconic Lyari town not in Karachi but in Bangkok. In just 20 days, a 500 member workforce transformed bare land into a living, breathing neighbourhood that mirrors the grit, chaos and soul of Lyari. Here is how the team pulled off one of Hindi cinema’s most ambitious set builds.
A Vision Rooted in Reality
Lyari is not just a location, it is an emotion. Known for its narrow lanes, stacked houses and raw street life, the area demanded authenticity rather than a stylised set. Director and production designers were clear that CGI alone would not deliver the lived in feel required for Dhurandhar. The brief was simple but daunting recreate Lyari so convincingly that the camera forgets it is on a set.
Why Bangkok Became Karachi
Shooting in Pakistan was not an option due to logistical and security challenges. Bangkok emerged as the perfect alternative thanks to its large studio spaces, skilled local crews and flexible construction timelines. An empty stretch of land on the outskirts of the city was chosen and within days it began to resemble a Karachi neighbourhood.
500 Hands, One Deadline
Over 500 workers including carpenters, painters, electricians and prop artists worked around the clock. Many had never seen Lyari in person, so the art department relied heavily on archival photos, documentaries and street level videos. Walls were deliberately left uneven, balconies were stacked close together and wires were allowed to hang messily to capture the town’s visual clutter.
Details That Brought the Set Alive
What set the recreation apart was its attention to small details. Faded political posters in Urdu, chipped staircases, dented water tanks and hand painted shop signs were added layer by layer. Even the dust on the roads was colour matched to Karachi soil tones. Local Thai artists were trained to replicate South Asian textures, creating a seamless illusion.
Ranveer Singh Steps Into Lyari
When Ranveer Singh first walked onto the set, the transformation reportedly stunned him. The immersive environment helped him slip into character effortlessly. Scenes were blocked to allow natural movement through lanes and rooftops, letting the set become a silent performer in the film.
A Testament to Old School Craft
In an age dominated by green screens, Dhurandhar’s Lyari stands as a tribute to physical filmmaking. Built in just 20 days, the set proves that scale, speed and soul can coexist when vision meets craftsmanship. It is not just a backdrop, it is a world created brick by brick.
