Na Maloom Afraad (Urdu: نا معلوم اÙراد‎; meaning unknown persons) is a 2014 Pakistani comedy thriller film, directed and written by Nabeel Qureshi as his directorial debut, produced by Fizza Ali Meerza under the banner of Filmwala Pictures. The film features Pakistani television veterans Javed Sheikh, Fahad Mustafa, Mohsin Abbas Haider in lead roles along with Urwa Hocain, Kubra Khan and Salman Shahid. The story is based on turmoil and chaos in the city of lights Karachi.
The film was released on 6 October 2014 (Eid al-adha) by Hum Films and Eveready Pictures all across Pakistan. It grossed ₨4.5 million (US$42,000) on first day of release, competing O21 at box office it crossed the figure of ₨51.4 million (US$480,000) on 9th day of release leaving all competitors behind and became the super hit of the time. It collected 2,736 votes at Tribune's Film Awards, winning in categories Best Supporting Actor (Male), Best Actor, Best Debut and Best Editing.
Plot outline
Na Maloom Afraad is a story of three reckless poor struggling souls, running after their individual ambitions and desires, brought together by one incident which makes their not so simple life into a thrilling roller coaster ride of numerous ironic twist & turns. The three characters run around in the chaotic city of Karachi bringing out the craziest plan to save their love, lives and asses.
Cast
- Javed Sheikh as Shakeel Bhai
- Fahad Mustafa as Farhan
- Mohsin Abbas Haider as Moon
- Urwa Hocain as Naina
- Kubra Khan as Hina Merchant
- Salman Shahid as Gogi
- Irfan Motiwala as Polka
- Masood Khan as Jango
- Nayyar Ejaz as Samuel
- Salim Mairaj
- Amber Wajid as Shama
- Mehwish Hayat (special appearance)
Development, Production
The film is produced by Fizza Ali Meerza under the banner of Filmwala Pictures. Film's shooting started in early 2014 and was completed at the end of June which makes it first Pakistani film to be produced and release same year. Also, it's the second Pakistani film which is shot completely on the Arri Alexa state-of-the-art camera after Jalaibee. Post production phase started in July and the session ended in August.
Soundtrack
The music album was released on 5 September 2014 in a press conference held at PC Hotel, Karachi where the film's star cast along with production team was present. Lyrics are penned by Sabir Zafar & Mohsin Abbas Haider consisting of 9 tracks, with Shani & Kami composing 7 of them and Vicky Haider & Naqash Haider composing one track. Film's lead actor Mohsin Abbas Haider also wrote and sung one track Sapno Ki Mala. The film promotion started on 13 September, with release of its first video promo of song Darbaar. The most awaited item song Billi filmed on Mehwish Hayat, is sung by Saima Iqbal and written by Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi.
Track listing
Release
The theatrical trailer was released on June 27, 2014 on social media and later on television. was announced at a press conference held in Karachi that the film will be distributed by Hum Films and Eveready Pictures in cinemas across Pakistan on Eid ul-Adha 2014 At box office film competed Shaan Shahid’s Operation 021 and Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang on their release in Eid days. On November 23, 2014 Na Maloom Afraad had its New York premiere at South Asian International Film Festival.
Critical Reception
The film got overall positive critical reviews:
The film premiered on 29 September 2014 during a press event in Atrium Cinemas, Karachi. Film's lead cast along with film director and producer attended the screening event. Several journalists were also present to cover the story. Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune rated the movie 4/5 and wrote "Na Maloom Afraad is a smartly-crafted film, which guarantees a paisa-vasool (money earning) experience. From the item number to the one-liners, every scene has a purpose and reveals something about the ongoing social circus in the country."
Samra Muslim of Sunday wrote "Na Maloom Afraad is an out-and-out entertainer, which due to the catchy promos, strong word of mouth and excited audiences, all which will surely have the producers laughing all the way to the bank. Just what the Pakistani film industry needs!"
Maliha Rehman of DAWN.com rated 4.5/5 and â€"wrote "It’s an all-out, tongue-in-cheek, cleverly-crafted entertainer that leaves you pining for more movies of the same variety."
Box office
Na Maloom Afraad opened the lowest on Eid amongst all three releases O21, Na Maloom Afraad and Bang Bang on day one but picked heavily since and collected huge ₨1.77 crore (US$170,000) over first 3 Days of Eid which was slightly more than Bang bang but quite below O21. Move held extremely well and went on to collect massive ₨4.05 crore (US$380,000) over Eid Week from Monday to Sunday. Movie sustained supremely over the Weekdays and added another ₨2.2 crore (US$210,000) over the Weekdays to take 11 days extended week one to ₨6.25 crore (US$590,000) which is 2nd biggest of 2014 after Kick and 4th biggest of all time after Dhoom 3, Waar and Kick on their release in Pakistan. Movie continued its stable run in second weekend and collected ₨2.65 crore (US$250,000) which was even more than last weekend taking grand total to ₨8.9 crore (US$830,000) Film Show steady performance in 3rd weekdays as well and despite facing off with Happy New Year, collected ₨0.69 crore (US$65,000) on 3rd weekend.
First time records
- Nabeel Qureshi's directorial debut
- First Pakistani film to be produced and released same year
- First Film of Mehwish Hayat as an item girl
- Fahad, Mohsin and Urwa as debutants
See also
- List of highest-grossing Pakistani films
- List of Pakistani films of 2014
References
External links
- Na Maloom Afraad at the Internet Movie Database
- Na Maloom Afraad on Facebook
- Theatrical trailer on Vimeo
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