Nayab is a 2024 Pakistani coming-of-age sports drama film, directed by Umair Nasir Ali in his directorial debut. Set in Karachi, it features Yumna Zaidi in the title role, an aspiring cricketer desiring to play in the Cricket World Cup. Jawed Sheikh, M. Fawad Khan, and Noreen Gulwani appeared in prominent roles. It released theatrically in Pakistan on 26 January 2024, and on 2 February internationally.
Synopsis Nayab is an aspiring cricketer, with zeal to play the world cup as a national team member. However, she needs the help and support of her family, especially the elder brother. Akka, a middle-class girl from Karachi, Pakistan, rebels against her parents' expectations of becoming something else.
Cast Yumna Zaidi as Nayab Jawed Sheikh as Shahid (Nayab's father) M. Fawad Khan as Akber Usama Khan as Zain Huma Nawab as Piyari Baji Noreen Gulwani as Sadia Hani Taha Shaheera Jalil Albasit Mahdi Qasmi as Bazil Faryal Mehmood as Dancer Mohammed Ehteshamuddin as Yawar Kazmi Adnan Siddiqui as Sikander Malik
Production The film was announced by Kenneyz Group on 4 January 2023, in collaboration with NUM Films. Umair Nasir Ali was the director, making his debut role. Though Yumna Zaidi, who played the lead character, has rejected many films offered to her. However, she said it was interesting not to decline the role since the film has a better storyline.
For the filming, she went to many cricket tutorials and practices, and proceeded filming after Tere Bin. The motion poster and trailer was released on 2 and 10 December 2023 respectively.
Reception Box office The film initially collected 46 lacs PKR, and later 22 lacs PKR. In its forth week, it totally grossed 67 lacs Film has collected almost 15 million in its total run in cinema's.
Critical reception DAWN Images praised the film's script to showcasing the real issues and direction for attention to minor details. The Express Tribune praised the acting performances of Fawad Khan, Ehteshamuddin, Jawed Sheikh but was critical of Zaidi's performance who lacks the "conviction and mannerism" to make the character convincing. The reviewer further criticised the film's pace, the "hurried and rushed" climax and the romantic track of the lead, and noted the lack of impactful sports related scenes. The News International noted the banal of its story and humanising of the characters of the film.
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Result World Film FestivalMay 2024 Best Foreign Film Best First Time Filmmaker South Asian International Film Festival FloridaFebruary 2025Best Feature FilmBest Actress (Yumna Zaidi)SCO Film Festival Chongqing China 2025July 2025Special Jury AwardWinnerSouth Asian International Film Festival Montreal May 2025Special Jury Award WinnerListapad - Minsk International Film FestivalNov 2024Diploma Special Jury Winner
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