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Crime thriller

Laal Kabootar (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Laal Kabootar (2019) movie poster

Laal Kabootar is a 2019 crime thriller directed by Kamal Khan, starring Ali Kazmi as Noman Malik, Mansha Pasha and Ahmed Ali Akbar. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes. Its Echo Score is 85/100.

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Laal Kabootar (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Kamal Khan
Genres
Crime , Thriller
Original language
Urdu
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Laal Kabootar About?

The premise of Laal Kabootar without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Thief In Search Of Thief. He’s looking for a way out of the city. But his only escape is through a woman looking for revenge.

Laal Kabootar Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • escape
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Cast & crew

Laal Kabootar Cast & Characters

Ali Kazmi leads the cast as Noman Malik, with Mansha Pasha as Aliya Malik and Ahmed Ali Akbar as Adeel Nawaz. Directed by Kamal Khan; 12 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Laal Kabootar Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (94) and weakest in story & flow (74).

85 /100

Laal Kabootar Echo Score Breakdown

Laal Kabootar garners strong acclaim for its ambition, positioning it as a notable step forward for Pakistani cinema. Reviewers highlight the film's confident direction, compelling performances, and vivid portrayal of Karachi, while noting occasional shortcomings in narrative depth and character development. The consensus points to a film that largely succeeds in delivering an engaging thriller with lasting impression, despite some uneven elements.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 94

    In terms of direction and visual execution, critics repeatedly commend Kamal Khan's confident debut and Mo Azmi's striking cinematography, citing realistic Karachi streets and vibrant color palettes. Editing and production design are described as polished, contributing to a cohesive visual experience. The collective appraisal indicates a high level of craft excellence.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When evaluating performances, reviewers praise the leads—Ahmed Ali Akbar and Mansha Pasha—for nuanced portrayals, and note standout antagonists. However, some comments point to limited character depth and uneven emotional resonance across the ensemble. The overall sentiment reflects strong acting overall, tempered by concerns about character development.

  • Story & Flow 74

    Regarding plot and pacing, the film is recognized for its fast‑paced, thriller structure and originality in depicting Karachi's underworld. Critics appreciate its deviation from formulaic narratives, yet a few cite insufficient story depth and reliance on familiar tropes. This yields a generally positive but moderately mixed evaluation of the narrative.

  • Sensory Experience 92

    The sensory dimension receives high marks, with reviewers highlighting Taha Malik's top‑notch soundtrack, immersive sound design, and Mo Azmi's meticulous shot composition. The visual style is described as both atmospheric and richly textured, reinforcing the film's gritty tone. Consensus places sensory experience among the film's strongest assets.

  • Rewatch Factor 84

    In terms of rewatch value, many reviewers label the film a must‑see and a benchmark for future Pakistani projects, suggesting lasting appeal and encouraging repeat viewings. Some note occasional pacing issues that may affect subsequent enjoyment, but the overall sentiment indicates strong replay potential.

Plot

Laal Kabootar Plot Summary

What happens in Laal Kabootar from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Karachi, Alia Malik is crushed by grief when her husband, Noman Malik, is gunned down in a brutal target killing. The crime exposes more than personal loss—it reveals a lazy justice system and a social landscape that makes life especially hard for a single woman. With a steady, quiet determination, she stubbornly pursues the truth, rewiring her life around questions that others would rather leave unanswered. Each step pulls her deeper into a web of power, corruption, and fear, where every ally could be a danger and every lead a potential trap. Her resolve is unyielding, and she refuses to let the case fade into a statistic, even as the city’s din and danger ratchet up around her.

Full summary

The whole story of Laal Kabootar, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Laal Kabootar Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Laal Kabootar | Official Red Band Trailer | 22nd March 2019
  • Featurette Sawaal Jawaab Feat. Cast of 'Laal Kabootar' | Ahmed Ali Akbar and Mansha Pasha
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Laal Kabootar?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Alia's husband who is murdered at the beginning of the film?

Details

Laal Kabootar Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “حمامة حمراء” and “红鸽”.

Also known as
  • حمامة حمراء
  • 红鸽
  • The Red Pigeon

Seen Laal Kabootar?

FAQ

Laal Kabootar FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Laal Kabootar, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Laal Kabootar?

Laal Kabootar runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Laal Kabootar released?

Laal Kabootar was released on March 22, 2019.

Who directed Laal Kabootar?

Laal Kabootar was directed by Kamal Khan.

Who is in the cast of Laal Kabootar?

Laal Kabootar stars Ali Kazmi as Noman Malik, Mansha Pasha as Aliya Malik and Ahmed Ali Akbar as Adeel Nawaz, among 12 credited actors.

Does Laal Kabootar have a post-credit scene?

No. Laal Kabootar has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Laal Kabootar in?

The original language of Laal Kabootar is Urdu.

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