Actor in Law

{{Short description|2016 Pakistani film by Nabeel Qureshi}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox film | name = Actor in Law | image = Actor in Law.jpg | caption = Theatrical release Poster | native_name = {{Infobox name module|ur|{{Nastaliq|ایکٹر ان لاء}}}} | director = Nabeel Qureshi | writer = Fizza Ali Meerza<br>Nabeel Qureshi | producer = Fizza Ali Meerza<br>Mehdi Ali | starring = {{plainlist| *Fahad Mustafa *Mehwish Hayat *Saboor Aly *Om Puri *Alyy Khan }} | cinematography = Rana Kamran | editing = Asif Mumtaz | music = Shani Arshad | studio = Filmwala Pictures | distributor = Urdu1 Pictures<br>'''Overseas'''<br>Fox Star Studios | released = {{Film date|df=y|2016|09|8|Dubai|2016|09|13|Pakistan}} | runtime = 1 h 56 min | country = Pakistan | language = Urdu | budget =  | gross = {{PKRConvert|300|m}} }}

'''''Actor in Law''''' is a 2016 Pakistani socio-comedy film directed by Nabeel Qureshi, co-written and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza along with Mehdi Ali. The film was released on Eid-ul-Adha 2016<ref>{{cite web |title='Actor in Law' is a romantic comedy that highlights social issues |url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148783/actor-in-law-is-a-romantic-comedy-that-highlights-social-issues |website=hip |date=11 January 2016 |publisher=Wajiha Jawaid |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115172846/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148783/actor-in-law-is-a-romantic-comedy-that-highlights-social-issues |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Om Puri's first Pakistani film to release on Eidul Azha |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1024090/om-puris-first-pakistani-film-to-release-on-eidul-azha/ |website=The Express Tribune |access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> by Urdu 1 Pictures. The film stars Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat in lead roles.<ref name="OmPuri" /> The cast also includes veteran Indian actor Om Puri in his first Pakistani film. On 19 April 2017, the movie received the Best Film award at the 16th Lux Style Awards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Imdad |first1=Fareeha |title=Lux Style Awards 2017 Winners, Highlights |url=https://fhmpakistan.com/lux-style-awards-2017-winners-highlights-big-moments/ |access-date=25 April 2017 |work=FHM (Pakistan) |date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811230641/http://www.fhmpakistan.com/lux-style-awards-2017-winners-highlights-big-moments/|archive-date=11 August 2018|url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Plot== Fahad Mustafa stars as an upcoming lawyer who employs theatrics and over-the-top one-liners in the courtroom. He aspires to become an actor, something which is met with disapproval from his father. His world is turned upside down when he is faced with a case that shakes the foundation of the country and threatens his career and family. Will he be able to use his theatricality and knowledge of the law to ensure justice?

The film also fictionally portrays the celebrities in Pakistan such as the model Ayyan Ali and news anchor Mubashir Lucman.

==Cast== *Fahad Mustafa as Shan Mirza *Om Puri as Rafaqat Mirza *Mehwish Hayat as Meenu Screwala *Lubna Aslam as Shan's mother *Saboor Ali as Annie Mirza *Alyy Khan as Muddasir Sultan *Irfan Motiwala as Fridge Man *Saife Hassan as Guddu Mamu *Saleem Mairaj as Mehboob Bhai * Anoushay Abbasi as Meenu's Friend *Kaizer Behram Irani as Meenu's Mother * Noor ul Hassan *Ahson Talish as a Politician

===Special appearance=== *Humayun Saeed as himself *Mahira Khan as herself *Nayyar Ejaz as a Lawyer *Rehan Sheikh as a Lawyer *Talat Hussain as a Judge *Atif Aslam as himself in music video "Dil Yeh Dancer Hogaya" *Nabeel Qureshi as himself in title song "Actor in Law" * Ali Zafar as himself on Billboard * Imran Abbas as himself on billboard * Ayeza Khan as herself on billboard *Annas Kashif as himself

==Development and production== The film is directed by Nabeel Qureshi and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza and Mehdi Ali, making it their second project after Na Maloom Afraad. The details about the film were unveiled by Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza at a press conference in Karachi on 9 January 2016. The press conference was also attended by Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat, Alyy Khan and Indian actor Om Puri, who made his Lollywood debut.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Buraq Shabbir |title=Om Puri in Town For Actor in Law |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/89780-Om-Puri-in-town-for-Actor-in-Law |website=The News International |access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Om Puri to star in Pakistani flick titled 'Actor-In-Law' |url=http://arynews.tv/en/om-puri-to-star-in-pakistani-flick-titled-actor-in-law/ |website=ARY News |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="OmPuri">{{cite web |title=A first: Veteran actor Om Puri to star in two Pakistani films |url=https://hindustantimes.com/bollywood/a-first-veteran-actor-om-puri-to-star-in-two-pakistani-films/story-TPHQuHyWAOTp6iyop0G2jJ.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=14 January 2016 |date=10 January 2016}}</ref> The producer Fizza also revealed that the film stars Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat in lead roles.<ref name="OmPuri" /> The cast also includes Alyy Khan, Saife Hassan, Saleem Mairaj, Saboor Ali, Anoushay Abbasi and Ahson Talish in important roles. Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Nayyar Ejaz, Talat Hussain, Rehan Sheikh, and Rashid Khawaja all made special appearances in the film.<ref>{{cite news |title=Om Puri set to star in Na Maloom Afraad duo's next film |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1174602 |access-date=11 January 2016 |work=DAWN Images}}</ref> Om Puri said he signed the film because the script was different and unique. He also stated that the title ''Actor in Law'' was suggested by him. "I didn't know this team personally when I was approached for the film. But I was aware of the fact that Pakistani films have improved a lot," said Puri.<ref>{{cite web |title=Actor in Law: Om Puri explains all about his Pakistani film |url=https://www.catchnews.com/bollywood-news/actor-in-law-om-puri-explains-all-about-his-first-pakistani-film-om-puri-latest-news-1452609681.html |website=Catch News |access-date=14 January 2016 |date=12 January 2016}}</ref> The director Nabeel Qureshi said the film is a different story just like Na Maloom Afraad. "Rather than telling jokes, I enjoy telling stories. And audience can expect the same with Actor in Law as well since it has a very unique story," said Qureshi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Om Puri's first Pakistani film to release on Eidul Azha |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1024090/om-puris-first-pakistani-film-to-release-on-eidul-azha/ |access-date=11 January 2016 |work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> Cinematography was done by Rana Kamran. It was distributed locally and internationally by Urdu 1 Pictures. It was the first film distributed by Urdu 1. The film was released on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in September 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Urdu 1 ventures into film distribution with 'Actor in Law' |url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148782 |website=hip |date=11 January 2016 |publisher=Wajiha Jawaid |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115131653/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148782 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Production==

===Filming=== The first spell of the film was shot in Karachi.<ref name="Filming and soundtrack" />

===Marketing=== The title poster of the film was released in February 2016 while the first look poster was revealed on 24 June 2016 via social media.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unveiled: First poster of Om Puri's debut Pakistani film |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1129867/revealed-first-poster-om-puris-debut-pakistani-film/ |website=The Express Tribune |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Actor in Law's first look leaves us with a lot of questions |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1175681 |website=DAWN Images |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> The director claimed that, Indian actor Om Puri will also come to Pakistan for the promotional purposes of his debut Pakistani film.<ref>{{cite web |title=Om Puri will be in Pakistan for Actor-in-Law promotions, shares director Nabeel Qureshi |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1175642 |website=DAWN Images |date=20 June 2016 |publisher=Irfan ul Haq |access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> On 28 June 2016, the trailer launch event was held in PC Hotel, Karachi where character posters were also unveiled. According to the Pakistani box office reports, the Lollywood movie Actor in Law collected over 100 million in just 5 days in Pakistan, which is the second best performance by a Pakistani movie after Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aijaz |first1=Rahul |title=Box office: 'Actor in Law' leading, 'Janaan' and 'Maalik' catching up |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1185025/box-office-actor-law-leading-janaan-maalik-catching/ |access-date=25 April 2017 |work=Express Tribune |date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Actor in Law | type = soundtrack | artist = Shani Arshad | cover = | alt = | released = 1 August 2016<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1154404/actor-law-soundtrack-launched-atif-aslam/ |title='Actor in law' soundtrack launched by Atif Aslam |date=2 August 2016 |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=8 February 2017}}</ref> | recorded = 2016 | venue = | studio = | genre = Filmi Soundtrack | length = {{Duration|m=17}}<ref>{{Soundcloud|user-513673802/sets/actor-in-law}} by Filmwala Pictures.</ref> | language = Urdu | label = | producer = Fizza Ali Meerza<ref name="Filming and soundtrack">{{cite news |title=From the makers of 'Na Maloom Afraad' comes 'Actor in Law' |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1026119/from-the-makers-of-na-maloom-afraad-comes-actor-in-law/ |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=14 January 2016 |date=12 January 2016}}</ref> | prev_title = Jawani Phir Nahi Ani | prev_year = 2015 | next_title = Na Maloom Afraad 2 | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{Singles | name = | type = Soundtrack | single1 = Dil Dancer | single1date = 28 August 2016<ref>{{cite web |via=YouTube |last=Atif Aslam |author-link=Atif Aslam |date=28 August 2016 |access-date=15 August 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DPF__irLfs |title=DIL YEH DANCER}}</ref> }} }} {{track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | all_music = Shani Arshad | total_length = {{Duration|m=17}} | title3 = Dil Dancer | extra3 = Atif Aslam | lyrics3 = Shani Arshad, Nabeel Qureshi, Fizza Ali Meerza | length3 = 3:44 | title1 = Khudaya | extra1 = Rahat Fateh Ali Khan | lyrics1 = Mohsin Abbas Haider | length1 = 3:58 | title4 = Actor in Law | extra4 = Shani Arshad | lyrics4 = Nabeel Qureshi, Fizza Ali Meerza | length4 = 3:09 | title2 = Funkaraan | extra2 = Asrar | lyrics2 = Nadeem Asad | length2 = 3:00 | title5 = Actor in Law | note5 = Reprise | extra5 = Junaid Younis | lyrics5 = Nabeel Qureshi, Fizza Ali Meerza | length5 = 3:09 }}

==Release== Actor in Law released in UAE, UK, and Middle East on 8 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Om Puri's 'Actor in Law' out this weekend |url=https://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/news/om-puri-s-actor-in-law-out-this-weekend-1.1892581 |access-date=7 September 2016 |work=Gulf News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Om Puri wants to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/om-puri-wants-to-bridge-the-gap-between-india-and-pakistan |website=Khaleej Times |publisher=Arti Dani |access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref> The film was released nationwide on 13 September (Eid al-Adha) alongside Azfar Jafi's romantic comedy Janaan and Anjum Shahzad's romantic drama Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay.

===Broadcast Rights=== The broadcast rights of the movie were syndicated Urdu1 & Star Gold Middle East.

===Home Video=== The movie has been made streaming available on Amazon Prime Video.

==Reception== thumb|From left to right, Fizza Ali Meerza, Om Puri, Nabeel Qureshi, Fahad Mustafa, and Mehwish Hayat promoting the film in 2016

===Box office=== Actor in Law opened to full houses on 13 September 2016. The film managed to exceed expectations and mint {{PKR|16 million}} on its first day. Numbers continued to grow on 14 September and the film minted {{PKR|23.5 million}} on its second day. Film managed to register mark of {{PKR|57.4 million}} at the end of its first weekend. On 16 September 2016, Urdu 1 pictures announced that the film had collected a total of {{PKR|60 million}} over the 3-day Eid Holiday.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nation.com.pk/entertainment/16-Sep-2016/actor-in-law-rules-box-office-with-rs-60-million-business |title=Actor-in-Law rules box office with Rs 60 million business |date=16 September 2016 |publisher=Nation.com.pk |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> By 18 September 2016, the film had grossed {{PKR|100 million}}, domestically.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/actorinlawthefilm/photos/a.565141296978726.1073741828.564842943675228/657647211061467/?type=3&theater |title=Actor in Law – The Film – Timeline |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> On 25 September 2016, Urdu 1 Pictures announced the film had grossed {{PKR|180 million}} worldwide.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

On 4 October 2016, it was announced that the film had grossed {{PKR|240 million}} in Pakistan and Rs 60 million in overseas.

===Critical response=== The film received mainly positive reviews upon its release with many reviewers praising the blend of social commentary and comedy. Praise was also directed at the performances of Fahad Mustafa and Om Puri.

''Dawn'''s Salima Feerasta rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, commenting that the film "makes a strong case for Fahad Mustafa's ascent as cinema's golden boy".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1176234 |title=Review: Actor in Law makes a strong case for Fahad Mustafa's ascent as cinema's golden boy |date=13 September 2016 |publisher=Images.dawn.com |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> Omair Alavi, writing for The News, commended the film for tackling social issues and praised the performances of Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat and Om Puri.<ref>{{cite web |last=Alavi |first=Omair |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/150022-A-social-drama-for-the-ages |title=A social drama for the ages |publisher=Thenews.com.pk |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> Rafay Mahmood of Express Tribune gave the film 3/5 stars. He felt the film delivered on several accounts but "[didn't] work on as many layers as NMA and [did] not have the same shock value".<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Rafay |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1181281/review-actor-flaw/ |title=Review: Actor in flaw? |date=12 September 2016 |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> Sami Saayer, also writing for Express Tribune, was more encouraging of the film, comparing it to "Manmohan Desai's brand of Cinema".<ref>{{cite web |last=Saayer |first=Sami |url=http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/40484/actor-in-law-manmohan-desais-brand-of-cinema/ |title=Actor in Law: Manmohan Desai's brand of cinema |publisher=Blogs.tribune.com.pk |date=2016-09-15 |access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref>

Shahjehan Saleem, writing for HiP, gave the film 4.5/5 and wrote, "Whether it is the language, which borders close to the ''Karachiwala'' slang, or the rustic urban sprawl of Karachi, where it's based, the film screams life in a metropolis."<ref>{{cite web |title=In Focus: Actor in Law is an intelligent comedy for the masses |url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1150690/in-focus-actor-in-law-is-an-intelligent-comedy-for-the-masses |website=hip |date=12 September 2016 |publisher=Shahjehan Saleem |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-date=16 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916153614/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1150690/in-focus-actor-in-law-is-an-intelligent-comedy-for-the-masses |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Hamza Shafique of Dubai Desi Reviews commented, "Playable Music, believable acting, laugh out loud comedy and stirring messages makes 'Actor in Law' a must go this Eid. I left cinema entertained, I go with 3 desi stars."<ref>{{cite web |title=Actor in law – Movie Review | date=10 September 2016 |url=http://dubaidesireviews.blogspot.ae/2016/09/actor-in-law-movie-review.html?m=1 |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>

==Accolades== {| class="wikitable" ! Ceremony ! {{Won}} ! {{Nom}} |- |16th Lux Style Awards | *Fizza Ali Meerza – Best Film *Nabeel Qureshi – Best Director *Fahad Mustafa – Best Actor *Atif Aslam – Best Playback Singer for "Dil Yeh Dancer Hogaya" | *Mehwish Hayat – Best Actress *Om Puri – Best Supporting Actor *Saboor Ali – Best Supporting Actress *Asrar – Best Playback Singer for "Funkaraan" |- |International Pakistan Prestige Awards 2017<ref>{{cite news |publisher=Brandsynario |date=11 September 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017 |url=http://www.brandsynario.com/international-pakistan-prestige-awards-nominations-revealed/ |title=International Pakistan Prestige Awards Nominations Revealed! |archive-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918230128/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1509586/fawad-khan-makes-list-100-handsome-faces-world/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=Brandsynario |date=18 September 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017 |url=https://www.brandsynario.com/actor-law-steals-limelight-ippa-awards-2017/ |title=Actor in Law Steals the Limelight at IPPA Awards 2017 |author=Alefyah Hasnain}}</ref> | *Fahad Mustafa – Best Actor *Mehwish Hayat – Best Actress *Om Puri – Best Supporting Actor *Fizza Ali Meerza – Best Film *Nabeel Qureshi – Best Director | *Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – Best Singer for "Khudaya" |- |Pakistan International Film Festival<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/02/piff-concludes-with-a-star-studded-awards-night/ |title=PIFF concludes with a star-studded awards night |work=Pakistan Today |date=2 April 2018 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> | *Fahad Mustafa – Best Actor (Male) *Mehwish Hayat – Best Actor (Female) | |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb title|5333612}}

Category:2016 films Category:Courtroom films Category:Pakistani comedy-drama films Category:2016 Urdu-language films Category:Pakistani legal films Category:2016 comedy-drama films Category:Lollywood films Category:Fox Star Studios films Category:Urdu-language Pakistani films Category:Urdu films remade in other languages Category:Films directed by Nabeel Qureshi