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Malaal
Malaal
Malaal
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Malaal
Opening title screen
GenreFamily drama
Romance
Written byUmera Ahmad
Directed byMehreen Jabbar
StarringFaisal Rehman
Sarwat Gilani
Deepti Gupta
Imran Abbas Naqvi
Tania Kazi
Adeel Ahmed
Opening themeBehti Naar by Rushk
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of episodes15
Production
ProducerMomina Duraid
Production locationsKarachi, Pakistan
New York City, USA
Running time40-45 minutes
Production companyMoomal Productions
Original release
NetworkHum TV
Release9 October 2009 (2009-10-09) –
13 March 2010 (2010-03-13)

Malaal (Urdu: ملال, lit. 'Regret') is a Pakistani drama television series that premiered on Hum TV on October 9, 2009.[1][2] Produced by Momina Duraid, Malaal is a story that shows how wrong decisions can affect everyone's lives and how being self-serving gets you nowhere.[3]

The series marked the return of the duo, writer Umera Ahmad and director Mehreen Jabbar,[4][5] who previously collaborated on the hit serial Doraha.[6]

Plot

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The storyline revolves around Zinia and Danish, who have been close friends for ten years and live in the US. Both are secretly in love with each other. But when Danish goes to Pakistan to meet his mother, Afia, she rejects Zinia as she is too old to be married. Then Danish is married to a very young woman, Mahi, due to his mother's insistence. She happily marries him, and they both go to the US. Mahi also has an Internet friend, Saifi, who falls in love with Mahi and Savera her maternal cousin and best friend. When they arrive in the US, Mahi and Zinia become good friends, and Zinia moves on.

Zinia makes friends with Jawad, who turns out to be Mahi's cousin. Mahi, Zinia, and Jawad start meeting frequently, and so Jawad realises that he is in love with Zinia, although she is a decade older than him. Zinia frequently meets with Jawad, which upsets Danish and he starts fighting with Jawad and Mahi. But Zinia warns him and tells him not to interfere in her personal life as he is married now. Mahi conceives and is pregnant.

One time, Zinia's best friend Lily came to visit Zinia with her brother. Mahi also comes at the same time. Her brother is none other than Saifi. He now starts blackmailing Mahi and calling her. She disconnects the wire, which causes disputes between Danish and her. One time, Zinia also heard her phone call, and so Mahi begged her not to say anything to Danish. She agrees.

Meanwhile, Jawad proposes to Zinia, to which she reluctantly disagrees, as she is older than him by 8 years and his mother won't allow this marriage. She also starts liking him, but she is scared as she can not hear another rejection. He says that he will convince her mother. Lily also thinks that Jawad is a perfect choice for Zinia. Danish tells Mahi that Zinia will never marry Jawad because she used to love him, making Mahi upset.

On the other hand, Saifi has sent all the emails to Danish and now Danish, knows that Mahi previously had a boyfriend. He divorces her. He doesn't listen to anyone. Even Lily asks for forgiveness, but he divorces Mahi. But now Mahi starts to hate him after learning that he loves Zinia and that he wanted an excuse to leave her, and she is also able to convince her mother Aliya and her father.

Jawad comes to Pakistan. Aliya's sister and Jawad's mother also tell Savera that Aliya wouldn't have done Mahi's marriage with Danish. Danish also proposes to Zinia, but Zinia starts hating him now. Danish sees a card on which Mahi has written Happy birthday Danish. He goes to Pakistan to convince Mahi, but Mahi rejects him because she knows that he is a selfish person and is doing as Zinia had rejected him.

On the other hand, when Jawad expresses feelings for Zinia to her mother, she rejects them and starts shouting at him. She doesn't listen to her husband, Ibrahim. She talks to Afia about the same. But when Jawad says that he will only marry Zinia and that he will marry her only if his mother is convinced, She is convinced but gives a condition. He goes back to New York to meet Zinia, and so she tells to him that she has married Danish, and he says that his mother has rejected her. After few days they meet each other where Zinia says she hadn't married Danish and had lied because she knew that Jawad's mother has rejected her. Jawad says that he also lied. His mother had given Zinia the condition to Zinia that she had to leave New York. She can work in Pakistan. Zinia accepts, and they end the show together.

Cast

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Broadcast and release

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Malaal was dubbed in Arabic with name "حب و ندم" and was broadcast by MBC in the Middle East. It was also aired in India on Zindagi, premiering on 19 October 2015. The show ended its run in India on 4 November 2015.[7] The television serial was also made available on streaming platform MX Player.

Accolades

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Malaal

View on Grokipedia
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Malaal is a 2019 Indian -language romantic drama film written and directed by in his Hindi directorial debut, produced by , and starring debutants and in the lead roles of Shiva and Aastha, respectively. Set against the backdrop of late 1990s life, the film depicts the budding romance between a rowdy local youth and a demure newcomer from a contrasting socioeconomic background, tested by class divides and familial opposition. It serves as an official remake of the 2004 Tamil film 7G Rainbow Colony, adapting its core narrative of innocent yet turbulent love to a context with nostalgic elements of urban . The story unfolds in a bustling Mumbai chawl, where Shiva, a brash and carefree resident aligned with local politics, encounters Aastha, whose North Indian family has recently relocated, sparking an unlikely attraction amid cultural and class tensions. Hadawale's direction emphasizes the vibrancy of 1990s street life, incorporating period-specific details like cassette tapes and public transport to evoke nostalgia, while the screenplay explores themes of regret (malaal in Hindi/Urdu) and the innocence of young love. The film's soundtrack, composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shreyas Puranik, and Shail Hada, with lyrics by A.M. Turaz and others, features notable tracks such as "Ek Malaal" and "Naad Khula," which complement the emotional arc and received praise for their melodic appeal. Released theatrically on 5 July 2019 by T-Series, Malaal marked the screen debut of Jafri (son of actor ) and Segal (niece of Bhansali), both of whom underwent training to portray their contrasting characters authentically. Produced under Bhansali's banner, the film had a budget of approximately ₹16 and aimed to capture the raw energy of its Tamil predecessor while infusing Bollywood sensibilities. Upon release, it garnered mixed reviews for its performances and direction but was noted for its sincere portrayal of inter-class romance, eventually becoming available on streaming platforms like .

Synopsis

Plot summary

Malaal is set in a bustling Mumbai chawl during the late 1990s. Shiva More (), a brash, jobless young Marathi man often involved in local brawls and aligned with nativist politics, lives a carefree life with his family. His world changes when Aastha Tripathi (), a demure and educated North Indian woman from a family that has recently fallen on hard times due to financial losses, moves into the neighboring flat. Shiva falls in love with Aastha at first sight and persistently woos her, despite her initial rejection and their stark differences in background and temperament. Aastha, working as a , recognizes Shiva's underlying goodness and motivates him to reform by quitting smoking and drinking, pursuing , and finding stable employment. Over time, Aastha reciprocates his affection, and they share moments of innocent romance amid the vibrant life. However, their relationship faces strong opposition from Aastha's family, who arrange her to a wealthier suitor to restore their social standing. Shiva struggles with his insecurities and the cultural-class divides, but the couple remains determined to be together. On the day of Aastha's arranged wedding, she attempts to elope with Shiva but tragically dies in a road accident. Devastated by her loss, Shiva deliberately causes an accident and dies shortly after. The film concludes with their souls reuniting, symbolizing eternal love beyond death.

Themes

Malaal explores the innocence and turbulence of young love against the backdrop of socioeconomic and cultural divides in urban . The narrative highlights how class differences and familial expectations can hinder personal happiness, drawing from the / concept of malaal () as characters reflect on missed opportunities and irreversible choices. Central to the story is the redemptive power of love, as the rowdy transforms through Aastha's influence, underscoring themes of personal growth and the clash between individual desires and societal norms. The film also touches on for 1990s Mumbai life, using period details to evoke a sense of lost simplicity amid urban chaos. Familial opposition and arranged marriages represent broader cultural pressures, leading to tragic consequences that emphasize the fragility of relationships. Secondary themes include the pain of unfulfilled potential and the eternal nature of true love, culminating in a bittersweet resolution that critiques how external forces can shatter youthful dreams. The chawl setting symbolizes community bonds juxtaposed with isolation in regret.

Cast and characters

Lead roles

Shiva More, portrayed by Meezaan Jafri in his film debut, is the brash and unemployed Marathi youth living in a Mumbai chawl. A final-year B.A. student aligned with local politician Sawant, Shiva initially clashes with Astha due to cultural differences but develops a deep attraction after shared experiences, leading to a confession of love. His arc involves confronting family opposition, a tragic accident, and eventual remorse symbolized by regret (malaal), transforming from a carefree rowdy to a man haunted by loss. Astha Tripathi, played by debutante , is the demure and educated young woman from a once-wealthy North Indian family that relocates to the after financial ruin. Tutoring Shiva's sister and participating in community events like , she navigates class tensions and familial pressure to marry her childhood friend Aditya. Her journey from initial hostility to reciprocating Shiva's feelings culminates in a brief intimate day together before her untimely death in a truck , revealed through her diary to have embraced their love fully.

Supporting roles

The supporting cast enhances the film's exploration of class divides, family dynamics, and life in 1990s . plays Sawant, the Marathi politician who recruits Shiva for local , influencing his rebellious behavior and providing through political maneuvering. portrays Rajni , Astha's protective mother, who opposes the romance due to Shiva's background and pushes for the arranged match with Aditya, highlighting intergenerational cultural clashes. Ishwak Singh as Aditya serves as Astha's affluent childhood friend and fiancé, representing the stable but unpassionate alternative to Shiva, whose engagement subplot escalates conflicts and underscores themes of mismatched expectations. Sanjay Gurbaxani depicts Umashankar Tripathi, Astha's father, who grapples with the family's downfall and supports traditional alliances. Anil Gawas and Chinmayee Surve play Shiva's parents, Prabhakar and Vijaya More, offering grounded chawl perspectives and mediating his impulsive decisions. Additional roles include Badri Chavan as Nandu, Shiva's loyal best friend aiding in mischief and support, and Prachi Kadam as Sonu More, Shiva's sister whose tutoring by Astha fosters initial bonds between the families.

Production

Development

Malaal is an official remake of the 2004 Tamil film 7G Rainbow Colony, directed by Selvaraghavan. The screenplay was written by Mangesh Hadawale, with additional contributions from Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Hadawale made his Hindi directorial debut with the film, having previously directed acclaimed Marathi films like Tingya (2008). The film was produced by under Bhansali Productions, in association with T-Series, with producers including , Krishan Kumar, and Mahaveer Jain. It marked the Bollywood debuts of lead actors (son of Javed Jaffrey) and (niece of Bhansali), who underwent acting training to prepare for their roles. The production aimed to adapt the original's story of youthful romance to a setting, emphasizing class and cultural divides.

Filming

Principal photography began in September 2018 with the first schedule in Mumbai, capturing the chawl life central to the story. A second schedule was shot in foreign locations to film key sequences. The production incorporated period details from the late 1990s, such as local transport and music cassettes. Filming wrapped up in March 2019.

Broadcast and release

Original broadcast

Malaal was released theatrically in on 5 by T-Series, following a promotional trailer released on 18 May 2019. The world television premiere aired on on 19 October 2019 at 8:00 PM IST. The film became available for streaming on starting 12 September 2019, and remains accessible there as of November 2025.

International distribution

Malaal had a limited international theatrical release, premiering on 4 July 2019 in the , , and the , followed by and other markets on 5 July 2019. Digital distribution expanded globally via from September 2019 onward, with availability in regions including the , , and . No official DVD or Blu-ray releases were noted.

Reception and impact

Critical response

Upon release, Malaal received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the debut performances of and , the nostalgic setting, and the soundtrack, but criticism for its predictable storyline as a remake of 7G Rainbow Colony and uneven direction. Rachit Gupta of Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, appreciating its "love soaked in old world charm" and the chemistry between the leads, while noting the screenplay's emotional depth. Devesh Sharma of Filmfare also gave it 3.5 out of 5, highlighting the vibrant Mumbai chawl backdrop and the film's sincere take on inter-class romance. In contrast, Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in awarded 2 out of 5 stars, criticizing it as a "bizarre love story that never takes flight" due to its lack of originality and timid exploration of themes. Anupama Chopra described it as "earnest but unoriginal," faulting the direction for not elevating the source material. The ensemble cast, including supporting roles by Sanjay Mishra and Kapur, received positive mentions for adding authenticity to the family dynamics. Overall, reviewers noted the film's appeal to audiences nostalgic for Bollywood romances, though it struggled to stand out in a competitive market.

Viewership and popularity

Malaal underperformed at the , earning a total nett collection of approximately ₹3.35 in over its theatrical run, with a worldwide gross of around ₹4.25 against a budget of ₹20 , resulting in a "" verdict. It opened to ₹0.45 on its first day (5 July 2019) and collected ₹2.25 over the opening weekend, failing to gain traction amid competition from other releases. On , the film holds a rating of 5.9 out of 10 based on 1,506 user votes as of November 2025. Despite the commercial disappointment, it developed a niche following for its heartfelt portrayal of young love and debutant leads, with some viewers appreciating the music by on and streaming platforms. The film became available for streaming on starting 12 September 2019, where it has attracted viewers interested in romantic dramas and Bhansali productions. In terms of cultural impact, Malaal marked significant debuts for Jafri (son of Javed Jaffrey) and Segal (niece of ), launching their careers in Bollywood, though it did not achieve widespread popularity or influence subsequent films noticeably.

Awards and nominations

Malaal earned nominations at the in 2020 for Best Male Debut () and Best Female Debut (), recognizing their promising screen presences in lead roles. Jafri also received a nomination for Best Male Debut at the 2020. No wins were secured, and the film did not receive broader industry recognition, aligning with its modest commercial and critical reception.

References

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/malaal/movieshow/69494903.cms
  2. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/something/2019/Jul/05/malaal-review-a-bizarre-love-story-that-never-takes-flight-12768.html
  3. https://scroll.in/reel/929469/malaal-movie-review-this-romance-struggles-to-get-the-sparks-going
  4. https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/malaal-movie-review-meezaan-sharmin-sehgal-and-a-film-you-ve-watched-before/story-6DEep3z5tsc5jwKsrNBjjK.html
  5. https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/malaal-movie-review-sanjay-leela-bhansali-launches-his-niece-and-jaaved-jaaferis-son-in-a-dreary-film-6941301.html
  6. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/Jul/06/malaal-movie-review-a-bizarre-love-story-that-never-takes-flight-1999984.html
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10305616/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10305616/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10305616/companycredits/
  10. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/trailer-of-malaal-starring-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-niece-and-jaaved-jaaferis-son-to-be-out-on-may-18/articleshow/69346781.cms
  11. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/070719/malaal-movie-review-a-love-story-with-no-heart.html
  12. https://filmeshilmy.com/2018/09/17/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-production-malaal-goes-on-floors/
  13. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/heres-when-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-malaal-will-release/articleshow/68449651.cms
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRuL6Ykrnrg
  15. https://www.sonypicturesnetworks.com/news-details/0/347/sony-max-presents-the-world-television-premiere-of-the-film-lsquo-malaal-rsquo
  16. https://www.netflix.com/title/81177238
  17. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/malaal
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10305616/releaseinfo/
  19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/malaal/movie-review/70083359.cms
  20. https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=5679
  21. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/malaal/box-office/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10305616/awards/
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