Laal Kabootar

Laal Kabootar was filmed in Karachi.[15] Ahmed Ali Akbar confirmed that the film was shot in Karachi.[16] The director Kamal Khan also confirmed the shooting areas. The film was shot in various parts in Karachi.

Laal Kabootar had the World Television Premier on 31 August 2019 on Geo Entertainment at 8:00 PST.

After its first week it earned 1.30 crores,[17] while the numbers went to 2.11 after its second week,[18] 2.41 at the end of the third week,[19] and 2.91 Cr at the end of the fourth week.[1]

Critics praised the performance of Ahmed Ali Akbar

Laal Kabootar opened to roaring applause and critical acclaim from both the audience and critics alike.[20]

Rahul Aijaz of Express Tribune rated 5 out of 5 stars. While praising the film's cast he wrote, "Akbar and Pasha make a formidable on-screen pair. The former's finally getting the limelight he deserves and the latter is only beginning to tap into her potential." He further praised the direction and cinematography and marked, "Khan, on the other hand, oversees the project to perfection and let the film breathe on its own. Stunningly shot by acclaimed cinematographer Mo Azmi, the film shows how camera can play an active ‘character’ in the film." and concluded that "Laal Kabootar will make you regain your faith in Pakistani cinema. Must watch!."[21]

Hamna Zubair of Images Dawn mentioned that "The film walks a knife's edge between stirring up hope and raising a mirror to Karachi's harsh, gritty realities". While giving a positive review, she further elaborated, "Laal Kabootar has many strengths, and one of them is its neatly plotted script.Screenwriter Ali Abbas Naqvi has proved himself skilled." She further praised the acting mentioning that "Laal Kabootar is incredibly well-cast. It depends on lesser-known acting talent to flesh out its ranks, proving that big names don't necessarily equal good films." and especially praised Akbar and Pasha writing that "Mansha Pasha and Ahmed Ali Akbar are A-plus. Mansha plays Aliya with great restraint, which is on point" and "Ahmed Ali Akbar brings a grit and authenticity that is equal to what Karachi's streets demand of men. I can't imagine anyone else playing these roles."[22]

Ifrah Salman of Oye Yeah gave a positive review and remarked, "Strong and intense performances come on the back of a well written story by Abbas Ali Naqvi and superb direction by Kamal Khan." Galaxy Lollywood gave the film 3.5/5 stars and praised its acting, direction and cinematography and wrote, "The film definitely gives the not-so-explored genre of crime thrillers in Pakistan, a remarkable boost, with almost everything well-done."[23] Seerat Kamran of dailytimes.com.pk praised the film and wrote, "brilliant acting makes you forget the slow pace of the film." The writer of Karachista thoroughly praised the film and remarked that, "Laal Kabootar should rightly be the first hit to come out of our industry this year."