Mah e Mir | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Anjum Shahzad |
Written by | Sarmad Sehbai |
Story by | Sarmad Sehbai |
Based on | Meer Taqi Meer |
Produced by | Sahir Rasheed Khurram Rana Badar Ikram |
Starring | Fahad Mustafa Iman Ali Sanam Saeed Alyy Khan Manzar Sehbai Syed Fazal Hussain |
Cinematography | Rana Kamran |
Music by | Syed Shahi Hasan |
Production company | Miraqsm Media |
Distributed by | Eveready Pictures Hum Films Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 150 minutes |
Country | Pakistan |
Language | Urdu |
Mah e Mir (Urdu: ماہ میر, lit. 'Moon of Mir') is a 2016 Pakistani biographical film directed by Anjum Shahzad, produced by Khurram Rana, Sahir Rasheed, Badar Ikram and written by Sarmad Sehbai.[1] The film is based on the life of the famous poet Mir Taqi Mir,[2] role played by Fahad Mustafa.[3][4][5] Film also stars Iman Ali, Sanam Saeed, Alyy Khan and Manzar Sehbai in lead roles.[6] It was the official submission by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee as the country's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards but it was not nominated.[7]
Mah-e-Mir [8] is a story that follows the struggle of a contemporary poet and draws parallels with events in Mir's life.[9] The film was co-distributed by Hum Films and Eveready Pictures on 6 May 2016 nationwide.[10]
Plot
The film's story focuses on the life of a modern-day poet named Jamal (Fahad Mustafa) going through a rough patch. The movie tries to draw parallels between Jamal's and Mir Taqi Mir's life with the story jumping from present day to Jamal's mind as he imagines himself to be Mir Taqi Mir in Lucknow focusing on the trials and tribulations that Mir once experienced (adapted from Mir's biography).[11] His conflict with the royal court, his romance with a tawaif, his ideals of bringing Urdu poetry to the people in the streets and his eventual madness in full moon; all reflected in his poetry.[12]
Cast
The film cast includes:[9]
- Fahad Mustafa as Ahmad Jamal/Mir Taqi Mir
- Iman Ali as Mysterious girl/Mahtab Bai
- Sanam Saeed as Naina Kanwal
- Manzar Sehbai as Dr. Kaleem
- Huma Nawab as Kaleem's ex-wife
- Alyy Khan as Nawab Sahab
- Paras Masroor as Siraj [13]
- Syed Fazal Hussain as Karam Elahi
- Rashid Farooqui as Nawaz
Music
The music album launch ceremony was held in Dubai on 14 April 2016.[14][15] The first song promo namely Us ka Kharam Dekh Kar was released the very next day. The second song Jaag Musafir was launched on 28 April at Beaconhouse National University followed by next song Ye Dhoan Sa was released on SoundCloud on 2 May.
Production
Marketing
The teaser trailer of film was released on 9 May 2014.[16] On 23 March, first look poster of film was revealed followed by theatrical trailer the same night.[17][18] The MaheMir team ran a decent promotional campaign visiting several institutes including Iqra University, Indus University and shows which includes Jeeto Pakistan, Morning Show Sitaray Ki Subah, Jago Pakistan Jago
Release
Earlier, the film was scheduled to release on 6 November 2015 but it was postponed and was released on 5 May 2016 in U.A.E and in Pakistan on 6 May.[19] The film was premiered in Karachi.[20] It was given a Universal (U) rating by the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC).[21]
Reception
Box office
According to BOD's prediction film might not have good business prior to film's big cast, as it was releasing opposite to Captain America: Civil War the same weekend.
Critical response
The film received huge praise for its creativity as The Express Tribune described it as "once in a blue moon film".
The film received good reviews from critics. Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune rated film 4/5 stars and verdicts "Watch the film with your friends and family. It is worth your money and initiates a constructive discourse".[22]
Mehreen Hasan of Dawn Images gave the film 4/5 stars and describes the film as "a rather prescient work that anticipates its every challenge in the box office, yet refuses to pander to what sells".[23]
Lisa Tsering from The Hollywood Reporter stated," The men’s performances are strong throughout. Mustafa captures the inner fire of a misunderstood writer (though we never see him, you know, writing) and does a decent job in bringing the Urdu poetry-heavy dialogue to life. Sehbai adds gravitas to his role as the elder poetry professor, and Khan puts in a spirited performance as Nawab. The women do not fare as well — Saeed simpers through her annoyingly mannered performance as the empowered female poet, and Ali’s face seems frozen into one expression as she delivers her lines in an unnaturally low growl".
Awards
- Mah-e-Mir was awarded the Best Narrative Film Award at the Guam International Film Festival in 2016.[24]
Ceremony | Won | Nominated |
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16th Lux Style Awards [25][26] |
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3rd Galaxy Lollywood Awards[27] |
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47th Nigar Awards |
The awards were postponed and did not take place |
|
See also
- List of Pakistani films of 2016
- List of submissions to the 89th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Pakistani submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- ^ "The question of who Mir is became the theme of our film, says Mah-i-Mir writer Sarmad Sehbai". DAWN Images. Peerzada Salmaan. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Did you know?: Mah-e-Mir a film inspired by Mir unveiled". The Express Tribune. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "From Na Maloom Afraad to Mah-e-Mir". The News. Omair Alavi. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- ^ "Finding feet in films". The Express Tribune. Hasan Ansari. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir's promo leaves everybody star struck". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Upcoming Pakistani Movie Mah-e-Mir – Trailer". reviewit.pk. Saud. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir selected as Pakistan's official submission to 2017 Oscars". The Express Tribune. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
- ^ "Next in Pakistani cinema Mah e Mir". INCPAK. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ a b "New Pakistani Movie Mah-e-Mir". Fashions Town. Nida Ahmad. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Mah-e-Meer To Finally See The Light Of Day On May 6". The News. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir Movie Review: A Historical Masterpiece". brandsynario. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ Did you know?: Mah-e-Meer a film inspired by Mir unveiled,May 07, 2014
- ^ Tribune.com.pk (1 May 2017). "'Mah-e-Mir' wins big at Dada Saheb Film Festival in India". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "Curtain Raiser: Mah-e-Mir Promotional Tour Begins". The News. Sadiq Saleem. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir cast, song launched". The Nation. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir - Official Trailer 2014". brandsynario. Maheen Nusrat. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Fahad Mustafa, Imaan Ali's 'Mah-e-Mir' official poster, release date, trailer". The News Teller. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Mah-e-Meer trailer out with rich, cultured performances". Aaj News. Afshan Zahra. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "'Mah-e-Meer' to hit theatres on May 6". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Star-Studded Premiere of Pakistani Flick, Mahe Mir". Samaa TV. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ "'Mah-e-Mir', 'Civil War' cleared with Universal rating in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ "Review: 'Mah-e-Mir' is a once in a blue moon film". The Express Tribune. Rafay Mahmood. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ "Mah e Mir strongly criticises the commercialisation of the arts, but will anyone listen?". DAWN.com. Mehreen Hasan. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Mah-e-Mir wins big at the Guam International Film Festival". 21 November 2016.
- ^ "A complete list of LSA 2017 winners". The Express Tribune. 20 April 2017.
- ^ "'Baaghi' and 'Punjab Nahi Jaungi' stole the show at Lux Style Awards 2018". The Express Tribune. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ Lollywood, Galaxy (26 January 2017). "Galaxy Lollywood Awards 2017 Nominations".