Mah-e-Mir is a story that follows the struggle of a contemporary poet and draws parallels with events in Mir’s life.
Mah e Mir is a 2016 Pakistani biographical film directed by Anjum Shahzad, produced by Khurram Rana, Sahir Rasheed, Badar Ikram and written by Sarmad Sehbai. The film is based on the life of the famous poet Mir Taqi Mir, role played by Fahad Mustafa. Film also stars Iman Ali, Sanam Saeed, Alyy Khan and Manzar Sehbai in lead roles. 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.
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 (faithfully adapted from Mir’s biography).
Directed by Anjum Shahzad, Sarmad Sehbai
Produced by Sahir Rasheed, Khurram Rana, Badar Ikram
Written by Sarmad Sehbai
Story by Sarmad Sehbai
Based on Meer Taqi Meer
Starring Fahad Mustafa, Iman Ali, Sanam Saeed, Alyy Khan, Manzar Sehbai
Music by Syed Shahi Hasan
Cinematography Rana Kamran
Production company Miraqsm Media
Distributed by EverReady Pictures, Hum Films
Release date 6 May 2016
Running time 150 minutes
Country Pakistan
Language Urdu
Box office Rs2.65 crore
Music:
The music album launch ceremony was held in Dubai on April 14, 2016. The first song promo namely Us ka Kharam Dekh Kar was released the very next day. The second song Jaag Musafir was launched on April 28 at Beaconhouse National University followed by next song Ye Dhoan Sa was released on Soundcloud on May 2.
Production:
Marketing
The teaser trailer of film was released on May 9, 2014. On March 23, first look poster of film was revealed followed by theatrical trailer the same night. 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 November 6, 2015 but it was postponed and was released on May 5, 2016 in U.A.E and in Pakistan on May 6. The film was premiered in Karachi. It was given a Universal (U) rating by the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC).
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 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”.
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”.
Awards
Mah-e-Mir was awarded the Best Narrative Film Award at the Guam International Film Festival in 2016. The film also won two awards in the Best Film and Best Music categories at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, which was held in Delhi in 2017.