Aag Lagay Basti Mein () is a 2026 Pakistani Urdu-language crime comedy film written and directed by Bilal Atif Khan. The film stars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan as a struggling married couple who become involved in crime, with Jawed Sheikh and Tabish Hashmi in supporting roles.
The film was released theatrically in Pakistan during Eid al-Fitr 2026. The film grossed over Rs. 101.06 crore worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing Pakistani film ever behind The Legend of Maula Jatt and the second Pakistani film to join the Rs. 100 crore club.
Premise Barkat is an honest but financially struggling cleaner who lives with his wife Almaas. Almaas is frustrated by their poverty and dreams of escaping their circumstances by moving to Dubai. Their modest life changes when the couple decide to steal money, believing that petty crime can improve their situation.
Their initial theft leads to a chain of escalating problems involving rival criminals, kidnapping, ransom and violence. As Barkat and Almaas are drawn deeper into the criminal world, their relationship is tested by greed, mistrust and the consequences of trying to find a shortcut out of poverty.
Cast Fahad Mustafa as Barkat Mahira Khan as Almaas Jawed Sheikh as Marble Seth Tabish Hashmi as Changaiz Salahuddin Tunio Ali Abdullah Samra Shehzadi Hafiz Raza Ahmed Osama Ateeq Khizr Ansari Ali Abdullah Durrani Shabbir Jan Shamim Hilaly Ashraf Khan Ayub Khoso Mohammed Ehteshamuddin
Production Aag Lagay Basti Mein was written and directed by Bilal Atif Khan. Pre-release coverage described the film as a commercial entertainer combining comedy, action and romance, centred on the strained relationship between Barkat and Almaas. The teaser presented the story through the fable of a hen that lays golden eggs, using it as a metaphor for greed and unintended consequences.
The film was produced by Big Bang Films and Salman Iqbal Films and presented by ARY Films. It marked the second film collaboration between Mustafa and Khan after Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad. The film also marked Mustafa's first on-screen appearance with his father, veteran actor Salahuddin Tunio, who confirmed that he had a brief role in the film.
Mahira Khan said that Almaas was different from her earlier roles and required her to play against her usual nature. Debuting artists in the film also include the social media influencers Samra Shehzadi, Hafiz Raza Ahmed, Khizr Ansari, Ali Abdullah Durrani, and Osama Ateeq.
Abid Rizvi served as the cinematographer, and he also used wide-angle camera lenses ranging from 18mm to 35mm. Rasheed Khan, Salman Noorani, and Bilal Atif Khan as well served as the film editors.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album for Aag Lagay Basti Mein was released on various music streaming services on 14 March 2026.
Release The film's teaser was released on 3 January 2026. Its official trailer was released in February 2026. Dawn reported that the film was part of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr release slate alongside Bullah and Delhi Gate.
The film was also released in overseas markets. Daily Times reported that its international listings included cinemas in the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Australia.
Reception Box office Pakistani Cinema reported that Aag Lagay Basti Mein grossed in Pakistan during its opening weekend and from overseas markets including North America, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Australia. 24 News HD later reported that the film had grossed more than worldwide, including more than in Pakistan and from international markets.
On 17 April 2026, Pakistani Cinema reported that the film had grossed worldwide, including in Pakistan and overseas. The same report stated that the film had become ARY Films highest-grossing release worldwide and the second-highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time, unadjusted for inflation. The film eventually grossed over during its lifetime theatrical run, becoming the second highest-grossing Pakistani film ever behind the The Legend of Maula Jatt and the second Pakistani film to join the Rs. 100 crore club.
Box Office Mojo reported a worldwide gross of from its tracked markets, comprising from the United States and Canada and from other international markets. Its listed overseas breakdown included from the United Arab Emirates, from the United Kingdom and from Australia.
Critical response Eefa Khalid of Images wrote that the film was aimed clearly at Pakistani audiences and praised its local humour, stylised look and comic situations by acknowledging it as a "comedy of errors" and "situational dark comedy" instead of having a tightly structured narrative. She highlighted Mahira Khan's performance as a departure from her usual screen image and said Tabish Hashmi handled his role well.
Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn also praised by calling it a "whip-smart, well-rounded film" whose "screenplay was polished well before it went on set".
Sadiq Saleem of Khaleej Times praised Khan's performance, called her a "revelation", and that she led the film's comic chaos. He described Mustafa as the "film's anchor", while adding that his characterisation was close to roles he had already played in his earlier films.
Yousuf Mehmood of Pakistani Cinema praised the supporting characters, and called Hashmi the film's "best thing". He also praised Khan for playing against type and singled out the song "Dil Bechara" as a highlight, but criticised the film's length, slow first half, familiar romantic subplot and repeated moralising.
Muhammad Suhayb of Youlin Magazine criticised the casting of television actors in leading roles, compared the film climax with that of the 1998 film Enemy of the State as "copy pastes" with "little logic and lots of bullets", and praised the soundtrack. He concluded by calling it "a success" with "fallen" standards.
See also List of highest-grossing Pakistani films List of Pakistani films of 2026
References
External links