Na Baligh Afraad
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Na Baligh Afraad is an Urdu-language Lollywood feature film released in Pakistan in June 2024. A comedy film, it was directed by Nabeel Qureshi and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza.[1]
The film has debutant Samar Jafri, Aashir Wajahat and Rimha Ahmad in the lead roles.[2][3]
The title of the film is inspired by Qureshi's directorial debut, Na Maloom Afraad.[4]
Premise
[edit]In the 1990s in a lower middle-class Karachi neighbourhood, two teenage brothers, Mazhar and Fakhar, try to fast-track their growth to appear cooler. In their pursuit, they attempt to watch an adult film on VCR.
Cast
[edit]The cast includes:[5]
- Samar Jafri as Fakhar[5]
- Aashir Wajahat as Mazhar[4]
- Rimha Ahmad
- Mohammed Ehteshamuddin
- Saleem Mairaj
- Faiza Hasan
- Irfan Motiwala
- Aadi Adeal Amjad[6]
- Arzu Fatima
- Bilal Wajid
- Mani[7]
- Fahad Mustafa as Inspector Gulab Mughal
Production and development
[edit]The film was announced with the poster of the film being released on 28 May 2024 by Qureshi on his Instagram handle.[8] The trailer of the film was released on 12 June 2024.[9] The premiere of the film was held on 15 June 2024, at the Nueplex Cinema in Karachi.[10][11] The film was released across Pakistan on Eid-ul-Azha in June 2024.
Reception
[edit]In a review for Dawn Images Mohammad Kamran Jawaid praised the story of the film, performances of the actors and the depiction of the 1990s but was critical of the lack of powerful comic moments.[12] Maheen Sabeeh, of The News International, was critical of the film and noticed its flat writing, forced humour, unnecessarily long run time and predictable characters but praised the performances of the actors, including Mani, Ehteshamuddin and Mairaj.[13] Gaitee Ara Siddiqi, from the same newspaper, was more appreciative towards the film, and praised the story, Qureshi's direction and lead actors' performance.[14] In a review for the Express Tribune, Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui criticised the weak screenplay and poor execution but lauded certain comical moments and acting performances of Ehteshamuddin, Adeel and Mairaj but was a bit critical of the acting of the lead cast.[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Pakistani flick 'Na Baligh Afraad' channels '90s nostalgia for laughs this Eid". Arab News PK. 18 June 2024.
- ^ Shaikh, Sajeer (13 June 2024). "Samar, Aashir channel 90s nostalgia for 'Na Baligh Afraad'". The Express Tribune.
- ^ "'Na Baligh Afraad' features Samar Jafri's debut". Daily Times. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Pakistani flick 'Na Baligh Afraad' channels '90s nostalgia for laughs this Eid". Arab News PK. 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b "New Eid film 'Na Baligh Afraad' features Samar Jafri's debut". Samaa. 29 May 2024.
- ^ Shaikh, Sajeer (13 June 2024). "Samar, Aashir channel 90s nostalgia for 'Na Baligh Afraad'". The Express Tribune.
- ^ Mehmood, Yousuf (17 June 2024). "Movie Review: 'Na Baligh Afraad' Brings Fun Back to Pakistani Cinema". PakistaniCinema.Net.
- ^ "Nabeel Qureshi announces 'Na Baligh Afraad' with younger actors". The Express Tribune. 29 May 2024.
- ^ Khan, Alizee Ali (13 June 2024). "Na Baligh Afraad trailer promises lighthearted emotional ride". Aaj English TV.
- ^ Salman, Peerzada (17 June 2024). "Premiere for Na Baaligh Afraad held". DAWN.
- ^ Abdullah, Rao (16 June 2024). "Celebrities Dazzle at the 'Na Baligh Afraad' Movie Premiere". BOL News.
- ^ Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (24 June 2024). "Review: Na Baligh Afraad — of school boys and the perils of watching an adult film in the 90s". Dawn Images. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Maheen Sabeeh (June 30, 2024). "In the picture". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (June 30, 2024). "A laugh-a-thon". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Na Baaligh Afraad Review: Coming Of Age Cinema Comes To KarachI". The Express Tribune. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.