Na Maloom Afraad

Na Maloom Afraad

Fahad Mustafa (front) holding bike, Javed Sheikh (mid) holding bag of money & Mohsin Abbas Haider (back) holding fire lighter

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Nabeel Qureshi
Produced by Fizza Ali Meerza
Mehdi Ali
Written by Nabeel Qureshi
Fizza Ali Meerza
Starring Fahad Mustafa
Javed Sheikh
Mohsin Abbas Haider
Urwa Hocane
Salman Shahid
Kubra Khan
Irfan Motiwala
Saleem Mairaj
Zaheen Tahira
Amanullah Khan
Music by Shani & Kami
Vicky Haider
Cinematography Rana Kamran
Edited by Asif Mumtaz
Production
company
Distributed by Hum Films
Eveready Pictures
Release dates
  • October 6, 2014 (2014-10-06) (Pakistan)
  • May 22, 2015 (2015-05-22) (U.K.)
Running time
 137 minutes
Country Pakistan
Language Urdu
Budget ₨9 crore (US$860,000)[1]
Box office Rs12.50 crore (US$1.25 million) (Worldwide) [2]

Na Maloom Afraad (Urdu: نا معلوم افراد‎; meaning Unidentified Persons), is a 2014 Pakistani comedy thriller film co-written and directed by Nabeel Qureshi as his directorial debut.[3] It stars Javed Sheikh, Fahad Mustafa, Mohsin Abbas Haider with supporting cast of Urwa Hocane, Kubra Khan and Salman Shahid.[4] The story follows Shakeel (Sheikh), Farhaan (Mustafa) and Moon (Haider), three poor struggling individuals who chase every possible means of becoming rich, all getting into trouble as they struggle to fulfill their desires and ambitions through questionably moral ways.[5]

Most of the Na Maloom Afrad shots were filmed in real locations of Saddar Town, maintaining the authenticity of scenes and staying true to actual content; many elements of post-production required consideration before principal photography.[6] The script was written years before the shooting, the cast went through meticulous rehearsals,[7] and it became the one of few films that is developed completely in Pakistan.[8] The film was shot in Karachi during January 2014 with a budget of ₨9 crore (US$860,000) jointly franchised by Hum Films, Filmwala Pictures and Eveready Pictures.[9][10] It premiered the following year in November where it closed the South Asian International Film Festival 2014.[11]

Na Maloom Afraad had a wide theatrical release in Pakistan on October 6, 2014 at Eid al-adha, followed by a release in UK on May 22, 2015 [12][13] which has grossed ₨14.0 crore (US$1.3 million) worldwide. The film garnered wide critical praise. At 3rd Hum Awards film was awarded Hum Honorary Special Recognition Award to Nabeel and Fizza. The film became the most nominated film of the Lux's 14th annual awards ceremony in film section with total of seven nominations in four categories, ultimately winning Best Film for Fizza, Best Director for Nabeel and Best Actor for Javed.[14]

It became first Pakistani film since 2007 to make a milestone of longest running film for 165 days (22 weeks) breaking the record of Waar who previously held for 163 days.[15][16]

Plot

Farhan (Fahad Mustafa), is a sales representative at IFU life insurance company in Karachi and is fired after he fails to materialize any deal in a year. Moon (Mohsin Abbas Haider), who hails from Punjab (Faisalabad), has a dream of going to Dubai, but ends up coming to Karachi while his family continues to believe he is living in Dubai and Shakeel bhai (Javed Shaikh), an honest man who works as a government servant and owner of homemade pickle business 'Shama Achar' is under pressure to get his younger sister Naina (Urwa Hocane) married, but can't manage to do so due to financial constraints. Farhan is a paying-guest of Shakeel and is in love with his sister.

Moon becomes the new tenant of Shakeel, after gets kicked out by his landlady (Shehnaz Pervaiz) for not paying rent on time. Jobless Farhan and Moon come up with a plan to take a life insurance to open an account in a bank and then burn it in Karachi strike, posing as 'Na Maloom Afraad', so that they claim desired amount of money in the claim from insurance company. Meanwhile, a proposal came for Naina and they ask for a car as dowry; devastated with his situation Shakeel went to break his fixed deposit, but he realized that he had already withdrawn it in 1998 for his mother's (Zaheen Tahira) operation. Thinking of mortgaging his home, Shakeel is revealed that the government has given them a one-month notice for leaving their houses due to bridge construction over the area. With all these difficulties, Shakeel tries to commit suicide but is saved by the police. Both Moon and Farhan revealed their plan to Shakeel, of which first he refused to part of it, but due to his problems he reluctantly agrees. Farhan went to Gogi (Salman Shahid) a local mobster, to lend money for their plan. Gogi gives him three lacks, which Farhan agrees to return with interest of six lacks. Shakeel and Farhan posing as husband wife opens an account but the bank and they gets robbed. Moon falls in love with the bank worker Hina (Kubra Khan).

All fake themselves as a rich individuals and then get an insurance policy to own a fake claim. Moon who has also lent money from Gogi earlier for going Dubai, is running from him due to the drugs he saw in a doll which he gave him to transfer to another mobster in Dubai. After Jumma prayer all three get jammed in a strike and try to burn the bank but are caught on camera and merely escape from police. Looking at every plan going wrong, Shakeel borrows money from Gogi by giving his house on mortgage. Gogi reaches them and asks Moon for the drugs, unable to get them he gives them one week to give him a crore. All blamed each other for their situation. Shakeel gets unconscious and on the way to the hospital they get stuck in the strike, however later it is revealed that it was a part of plan so they get escape from strikers. They provoke strikers to burn the bank but only then they get to know that bank is empty. Later an IFU insurance inspector Samuel (Nayyar Ejaz) came to give them claim of thirty lacks, and warns them that he knows about what they did.

They went to Gogi to offer him thirty-lack and ask him for a time, but is then gets into a fight with Dubai mobster and Gogi, both gets killed and All of three came home shocked. They find a phone ringing in a suitcase containing money and jewelry. It is then revealed that Hina robbed the bank before the strike for them. With the money all gets settled, Shakeel buy a new home and standardize his pickle business, Farhan happily marries to Naina and Moon fulfill his dream of going to Dubai.

Cast

Production

Development

In 2012, director of telefilms at a comedy-show Banana News Network Nabeel Qureshi had an idea of making a film with the producer and screenwriter Fizza Ali Meerza who was Qureshi's friend and colleague at National Academy of Performing Arts before dropping out.[19] According to directors account the idea originates in a casual conversation with Fizza about banks, lockers and their insurance which ends up with the final name of 'Na Maloom Afraad', the director said, "within the next 24 hours, we had our story." In 2013 before Ramadan, Nabeel and Fizza co-write the film. Fizza and her brother financed the film with the initial budget of ₨5 million (US$48,000) under the banners of their own production company Filmwala Pictures. To maintain the budget of film producer wanted to make a film in Canon EOS 5D without taking extra technicalities in shooting. But however the final budget of film was closed around ₨9 crore (US$860,000), becoming one of the biggest-budgeted films made in Pakistan. In early 2014, Hum TV came on board as media partner and by mid of year Eveready Pictures was in final negotiation for the Pakistan distribution rights.[20][21] Award winning cinematographer Rana Kamran (who previously work with Fizza on a film Armaan) was announced the director of the photography of the film.[22]

Casting

In 2013, after the finishing work on script Nabeel and Fizza themselves choose the cast. Javed Sheikh was the first person who was offered for the role of Shakeel Bhai, director recounts that "we had late Moeen Akhtar in our mind but after he passed away we for looked for the next best person and Javed Sheikh came to mind".[23] After reading the script sheikh accepted to do the film.[24]

For the role of Farhan, television actor Fahad Mustafa came on board marking his debut in the field, director said, "It was hard to convince him to do a film because he had rejected many offers but thankfully, he liked the story and agreed."[25] Finally for the third main lead role of Moon was given to Mohsin Abbas Haider, who was a long time friend and colleague of director from Banana News Network, Nabeel emphasize that "Mohsin and I go a long way back and I always had him in mind for the role of Moon; there was no other person approached for the role." Mohsin also mark his debut as a film actor. Television actor Saleem Mairaj was offered a role of Abd-ul-Qadir a drug addict, for which he was reluctant at first but after briefing, he accepts the role and veteran PTV actor Nayyar Ejaz confirmed to play the role of insurance company agent Samuel.[26] Irfan Motiwala and Masood Khan confirmed to play the roles of henchmen Polka and Jango respectively.[27][28] Waseem Abbas was offered the role of Gogi a local mobster and a drug dealer, but he refused to do a small role. Director then approached Salman Shahid who was also less interested for the role but after knowing that Nabeel has directed BNN's telefilms, was then willing to listen to the script, he eventually ended up agreeing to do the role.[24]

Ambar Wajid was selected to play the role of Shama as Shakeel's wife. Kubra Khan joined the cast to play the role of Hina, a bank work and love interest of Moon. Kubra marked her acting debut from the film, who previously worked on commercials. Television actress Urwa Hocane was selected to play the role of Naina, who in film is the sister of Shakeel and loves Farhan.[25] Hoccane also marked her film debut from Na Maloon Afraad. Actress Meera was selected to play the role of Billi in the early stages of film, when only Sheikh was confirmed for the cast. But she refused to do the role due to her skin disease at that time, later Mehwish Hayat came on board to do the role.[29][30] A special character of stray Dog was added, who was specially trained for the film by stunt director Mehboob Shah. In addition to the cast well known television starlets Shehnaz Pervez, Zaheen Tara, Ali Rizvi and Paras Masroor also plays minor roles as a landlady of Moon, mother of Shakeel, tea restaurant owner and as crime show host respectively.[24]

Filming

Principal photography began in January 2014 in Karachi. Filming took place around Saddar Town. The Saddar scenes involve an actual strike in a town; the production had to close the town for shooting; tyres and three to five cars were placed the night before the shooting to burn, in order to make scene like a strike. This was the first time in Pakistan a shooting for film took place on such a level.[6] Filming continued till June and completed in early July. Post-production and editing were completed between July and early August. It became the first Pakistani film to be shot and released in the same year, and the second Pakistani film which was shot completely on the Arri Alexa XT digital cameras with anamorphic lenses after Jalaibee.[31]

Music

Na Maloom Afraad
Soundtrack album by Sabir Zafar & Mohsin Abbas Haider
Language Urdu
Producer Fizza Ali Meerza
Mehdi Ali

The music album was released on 5 September 2014 in a press conference held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi where the film's star cast along with production team was present.[32] Lyrics are penned by Sabir Zafar & Mohsin Abbas Haider consisting of nine tracks, with Shani & Kami composing seven and Vicky Haider & Naqash Haider with one track. Film's lead actor Mohsin Abbas Haider also wrote and sung one track Sapno Ki Mala, which was the impromptu addition to film album. The film promotion started on 13 September, with release of its first video promo of song Darbaar.[33] The item song of film Billi is filmed on Mehwish Hayat and is sung by Saima Iqbal while it is written by Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi.

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Sapno Ki Mala"  Mohsin Abbas HaiderShaniMohsin Abbas Haider2:30
2."Darbadar"  Sabir ZafarVicky Haider
Naqash Haider		Sara Raza Khan3:54
3."Phurr Phurr"  Sabir ZafarShani & KamiSajjad Ali3:14
4."Billi"  Nabeel Qureshi
Fizza Ali Meer		Shani & KamiSaima Iqbal3:21
5."Makri Ka Jala"   ShaniShani 
6."Goli Teeti Main"  Mohsin Abbas HaiderShaniMohsin Abbas Haider1:20
7."Manga Tanga"  Sabir ZafarShani & KamiRajab Ali2:38
8."Mere Neher"  Sabir ZafarShaniN/AN/A
9."D.O.G"  N/AN/AN/AN/A

Release

The theatrical trailer was released on June 27, 2014 on social media and later on television.[1][34] was announced at a press conference held in Karachi[35] that the film will be distributed by Hum Films and Eveready Pictures in cinemas across Pakistan on Eid ul-Adha 2014[12][13] At box office film competed Shaan Shahid’s Operation 021 and Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang on their release in Eid days.[36][37][38] On November 23, 2014 Na Maloom Afraad had its New York City premiere at South Asian International Film Festival.[39] The film released on limited screens in U.K. on May 22[40] and in U.A.E. on September 3, 2015.[41] The film had its t.v premiere on Hum TV as an Eid special on July 19, 2015. The film was released in DVD on August 13, 2015.[42]

Box office

Na Maloom Afraad opened on approx 78 screens,[36] the lowest on Eid among other two releases O21 and Bang Bang[36] on day one but picked heavily since and collected ₨1.77 crore (US$170,000)[43] over first 3 Days of Eid which was slightly more than Bang bang but quite below O21. It collected ₨4.5 million (US$43,000) on first day of release, competing O21 at box office it crossed the figure of ₨51.4 million (US$490,000) on 9th day of release leaving all competitors behind and became the super hit of the time. Move held extremely well and went on to collect massive ₨4.05 crore (US$390,000) over Eid Week from Monday to Sunday.[43] 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$600,000) 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.[44] 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$850,000).[45] Film showed steady performance in 3rd weekdays as well and despite facing off with Happy New Year, collected ₨0.69 crore (US$66,000) on 3rd weekend.[46] On its release in UK, the film was disappointing at box office[47] collecting £5,377 (8.44 crore PKR) from seven sites.[48]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Express Tribune
Dawn News
Rotten Tomatoes

Critical response

The film got overall positive critical reviews, The film premiered on 29 September 2014 during a press event in Atrium Cinemas, Karachi.[49] Film's lead cast along with film director and producer attended the screening event. Several journalists were also present to cover the story.[50] 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."[51][52] 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!"[53] Maliha Rehman of DAWN.com rated 4.5/5 and –wrote "It’s an all-out, tongue-in-cheek, cleverly-crafted entertainer that leaves you pining for more movies of the same variety."[54]

Accolades

In Online winning race, It collected 2,736 votes at Tribune's Film Awards 2014, winning in most of categories both by critics and readers.[55]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref(s)
Hum Awards May 23, 2015 Special Honorary Recognition Award Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza Won [56]
Lux Style Awards September 30, 2015 Best Film Mehd Ali and Fizza Ali Meerza Won [57]
Best Director Nabeel Qureshi Won
Best Actor Fahad Mustafa Nominated
Javed Sheikh Won
Mohsin Abbas Haider Nominated
Salman Shahid Nominated
Best Actress Urwa Hocain Nominated

Possible sequel

In an interview with The Express Tribune, film producer commented about sequel as "We don’t know if it’s going to be a proper sequel or a spiritual successor through which we’ll tell a different story this time".[58]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Trailer's out: Namaloom Afraad shows blockbuster potential". DAWN.com. Madeeha Syed. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.boxofficedetail.com/view_post.php?value=6350
  3. ↑ "Nabeel Qureshi: 'Fard' behind 'Namaloom Afraad'". HiP. Khayyam Baig. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Did you know?: Na Maloom Afraad to reveal identities post-Ramazan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad- Pakistani Movie on Karachi's Turmoil to Release in August". Brandsynario. Maheen Nusrat. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Na Maloom Afraad: The known unknowns". Madeeha Syed. Dawn News. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  7. ↑ "From Na Maloom To Being Somebody! - Nabeel Qureshi talks about his successful journey into films". Omair Alavi. The News on Sunday. December 21, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad is 100% Pakistani". Mehreen Hassan. The News International. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad by Filmwala pictures". The Express Tribune. October 3, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad by Filmwala pictures". The Pakistani Films. November 13, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ ""Dukhtar" and "Na Maloom Afraad" to be screened at international film festival". Dawn News. November 8, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Na-Maloom Afraad set to hit screens on Eid-ul-Azha". DAWN.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Na Maloom Afraad set to be released on Eidul Azha". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Lux Style Awards 2015: 'Na Maloom Afraad' declared best film, Javaid Sheikh best actor and Ayeza Khan best TV actress". Daily Times. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad is Pakistan's longest running film since 2007". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad becomes longest running film of all time". BOD. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Labor of love: Mehwish Hayat on her upcoming item number". DAWN.com. Mahjabeen Mankani. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Mehwish Hayat prominent among 'Na Maloom Afraad'". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Film is about story telling-Nabeel Qureshi". The News Sunday. December 28, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Na-Maloom Afraad set to hit screens on Eid-ul-Azha". Awaz Today. September 6, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad- A Pakistani Entertainer". EbuzzToday. October 3, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  22. ↑ "NMA-A possibble game changer-Director Nabeel Qureshi along with DOP Rana Kamran during filming of Na Maloom Afraad.". Gulf Times. October 5, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Fahad Mustafa and Javaid Sheikh working in film Na Maloom Afraad". Reviewit.pk. Rashid Nazir Ali. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  24. 1 2 3 "From Na Maloom To Being Somebody!-Nabeel Qureshi talks about his successful journey into films". The News Sunday. December 21, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  25. 1 2 "Na Maloom Afraad ft. Fahad Mustafa and Urwa Hocain". News Media 247. Nimra Alam. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "NMA A must watch movie with an amazing cast". ARY News. October 11, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Erfan Motia Wala in Na Maloom Afraad". Movies.com.pk. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Masood Khan as Jango in Na Maloom Afraad". Movies.com.pk. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Labor of love: Mehwish Hayat on her upcoming item number". Mahjabeen Mankani. Dawn News. July 8, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  30. ↑ Saima Salman (November 24, 2014). "Mehwish Hayat: 'Purr'fecting her act". Dawn News. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Filmwala Pictures to release 'Na Maloom Afraad' post Ramazan". Daily Times. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  32. ↑ "Na Maloom Afrad's Music Release and News Conference". Pakium. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  33. ↑ "'Darbadar': Na Maloom Afraad's new teaser is out". DAWN.com. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  34. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad theatrical trailer released". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  35. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad to release on Eid ul Azha". Instep - The News. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  36. 1 2 3 "Na Maloom Afraad all set to do some damage at the box office". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  37. ↑ "'Na Maloom Afraad' to release on Eidul Azha". Daily Times. Haroon Ishaq. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  38. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad set to release on Eid". The Nation. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  39. ↑ "'Dukhtar' and 'Na Maloom Afraad' to be screened at international film festival". DAWN.com. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  40. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad set to take UK by storm today". Daily Times. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  41. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad made for cinema, hope does great in UAE". Khaleej Times. Yousuf Saifuddin Kapadia. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  42. ↑ "'Na Maloom Afraad' DVD hits stores". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  43. 1 2 "1st Week collections are out; Operation-021 and Na Maloom Afraad both score big numbers". Galaxy Lollywood. Momin Ali Munshi. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  44. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad extended week one business". BOD. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  45. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad and O21 2nd Weekend Business". BOD. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  46. ↑ "NA MALOOM AFRAAD TOTAL COLLECTION IN PAKISTAN". BoxOffice Asia. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  47. ↑ "Pakistani release disappoints at box office in UK". Biz Asia. Raj Baddhan. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  48. ↑ "UK box office from May 22-24". The Guardian. Charles Gant. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  49. ↑ "'Na Maloom Afraad' premieres in Karachi". Daily Times. Afrah Jamal. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  50. ↑ "Namaloom Afraad: A case for unknown persons". DAWN.com. Peerzada Salman. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  51. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad: the game-changer". The Express Tribune. Rafay Mahmood. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  52. ↑ "Pakistani film Na Maloom Afraad a possible game-changer". Gulf Times. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  53. ↑ "Movie review: Na Maloom Afraad". Sunday. Samra Muslim. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  54. ↑ "Review: Na Maloom Afraad". DAWN.com. Maliha Rehman. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  55. ↑ "Tribune's Film Awards 2014". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  56. ↑ "Winners of Hum Awards 2015". correspondent. Dawn News. April 10, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Winners of the 14th Lux Style Awards 2015". DesiBlitz. Aisha Farooq. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  58. ↑ "Na Maloom Afraad to hit the road again". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
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