Mahira Khan is set to surprise audiences with a dramatically different avatar in the upcoming romantic action comedy “Aag Lagay Basti Mein,” stepping far outside her comfort zone to play a character unlike anything she’s portrayed before.
In the film, Mahira plays Almaas, a fed-up wife who believes her husband Barkat’s principled approach to life has brought them nothing but hardship. Initially working as cleaners, the couple decides to turn to petty crime in hopes of improving their financial situation, a move that appears to be driven largely by Almaas.
The trailer opens with Mahira Khan’s character, Almaas, urging her husband to commit a robbery, immediately setting a chaotic tone. This marks a stark departure from the graceful, dignified characters Mahira has become synonymous with throughout her illustrious career, from the innocent Khirad in “Humsafar” to the resilient Mukhtaran Mai in “The Legend of Maula Jatt.”
In “Aag Lagay Basti Mein,” Almaas is aggressive, greedy, and unapologetically bold. The montage hints at fractured trust and flashes of violence, including one scene where Khan bites an attacker’s arm, showcasing the raw, gritty side of the character.
For an actress known for portraying dignified, empowered women, playing someone driven by greed and willing to cross moral boundaries represents a significant artistic risk. The character challenges Mahira to tap into darker emotions and morally ambiguous motivations, far from the principled heroines she’s built her reputation on.
Directed by Bilal Atif Khan and produced by Big Bang Entertainment and Salman Iqbal Films, the film is scheduled to be released on Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, reuniting Mahira with co-star Fahad Mustafa in what promises to be a high-energy entertainer that showcases both stars in refreshingly unconventional roles.
