The highly anticipated release of The Legend of Maula Jatt, Pakistan’s highest-grossing film, has been indefinitely put on hold in India. The screening, initially planned for the northern state of Punjab, would have marked the first time in over a decade that a Pakistani film hit Indian theaters.
The decision came after India’s information and broadcasting ministry denied permission for its release, as confirmed by a source from Zee Studios, the film’s Indian distributor. The ministry has yet to provide an official reason for the move.
The Legend of Maula Jatt, a remake of a 1979 Punjabi classic, stars Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, two of Pakistan’s biggest actors who have previously gained popularity in India through both Pakistani TV dramas and Bollywood films. Directed by Bilal Lashari, the film tells the story of a folk hero who battles a rival clan leader.
Originally slated for release in 2022, the film faced several postponements. However, Lashari announced last month that it was finally set to release in Indian theaters, sparking excitement among fans.
Yet, the news faced backlash, particularly from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party in Maharashtra state, home to India’s Bollywood industry. The MNS protested the film’s release, citing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
In response to the protests, Zee Studios had limited the film’s planned release to Punjab, a state that shares cultural and linguistic ties with Pakistan’s Punjab province. Despite ongoing political tensions, there has long been a mutual appreciation for art and culture between India and Pakistan, with Bollywood films enjoying popularity in Pakistan and Pakistani series finding audiences in India.
However, cross-border artistic collaborations ceased after Bollywood stopped casting Pakistani actors in 2016, and Pakistan subsequently banned Indian films in 2019. The recent attempt to release The Legend of Maula Jatt signaled hope for renewed cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The film’s makers had been optimistic that its immense success globally would appeal to Indian audiences, especially since its lead actors had already garnered a strong fan base in India. Despite the indefinite postponement, the cultural significance of the film’s release remains a point of interest, as it reflects the ongoing complexities of India-Pakistan relations.
Related topic:
Did Anyone Survive The Titanic By Swimming?
Who Died in the Titanic Movie? [Revealed]