Actor in Law

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 portraits the celebrities in Pakistan such as Ayyan and news anchor Mubashir Lucman.

• 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

• 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

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 veteran actor Om Puri, who made his Lollywood debut.{{cite web |author1=Buraq Shabbir |title=Om Puri in Town For Actor in Law |url=http://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}}{{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}}{{cite web |title=A first: Veteran actor Om Puri to star in two Pakistani films |url=http://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}} The producer Fizza also revealed that the film stars Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat in lead roles. 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 appearance in the film.{{cite news |title=Om Puri set to star in Na Maloom Afraad duo's next film |url=http://images.dawn.com/news/1174602 |access-date=11 January 2016 |work=DAWN Images}} Om Puri told that he signed the film because the script is different and unique. He also told the title Actor in Law is 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.{{cite web |title=Actor in Law: Om Puri explains all about his Pakistani film |url=http://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}} The director Nabeel Qureshi said that this 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.{{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}} Cinematography was done by Rana Kamran. It was distributed locally and internationally by Urdu 1 Pictures. It was the first film distribution by Urdu 1. The film was released on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in mid 2016.{{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}}

The first spell of the film was shot in Karachi.

Title poster of film was released in February 2016 while the first look poster was revealed on 24 June 2016 via social media.{{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}}{{cite web |title=Actor in Law's first look leaves us with a lot of questions |url=http://images.dawn.com/news/1175681 |website=DAWN Images |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=26 June 2016}} Director claimed that, Indian actor Om Puri will also come to Pakistan for the promotional purpose of his debut Pakistani film.{{cite web |title=Om Puri will be in Pakistan for Actor-in-Law promotions, shares director Nabeel Qureshi |url=http://images.dawn.com/news/1175642 |website=DAWN Images |date=20 June 2016 |publisher=Irfan ul Haq |access-date=26 June 2016}} 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.{{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}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Actor in Law

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Shani Arshad

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 1 August 2016{{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}}

| recorded = 2016

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Filmi Soundtrack

| length = {{Duration|m=17}}{{Soundcloud|user-513673802/sets/actor-in-law}} by Filmwala Pictures.

| language = Urdu

| label =

| producer = Fizza Ali Meerza{{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}}

| 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{{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}}

}}

}}

{{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

}}

Actor in Law released in UAE, UK, and Middle East on 8 September 2015.{{cite news |title=Om Puri's 'Actor in Law' out this weekend |url=http://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/news/om-puri-s-actor-in-law-out-this-weekend-1.1892581 |access-date=7 September 2016 |work=Gulf News}}{{cite web |title=Om Puri wants to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan |url=http://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}} 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.

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

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

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.{{cite web |url=http://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}} By 18 September 2016, the film had grossed {{PKR|100 million}}, domestically.{{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}} 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.

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".{{cite web |url=http://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}} 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.{{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}} 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".{{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}} Sami Saayer, also writing for Express Tribune, was more encouraging of the film, comparing it to "Manmohan Desai's brand of Cinema".{{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}}

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."{{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}}

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."{{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}}

• List of Pakistani films of 2016

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|5333612}}

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Category:2016 films

Category:Courtroom films

Category:Pakistani comedy-drama films

Category:2010s 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