The much-anticipated release of Pakistan’s blockbuster film The Legend of Maula Jatt in India’s Punjab has been put on hold following a court-ordered stay, preventing the screening from moving forward.
Nadeem Mandviwalla, the film’s distribution holder, confirmed that an Indian ministry secured the stay order. He explained that political opposition and certain interest groups in India had played a role in the delay. Despite holding exclusive distribution rights in Pakistan, Mandviwalla noted that Zee India had been working to bring the film to Indian audiences.
Starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, The Legend of Maula Jatt was scheduled to premiere in Indian Punjab on October 2, 2024, marking the first Pakistani film to be shown in India in over a decade. The last film to cross the border was Bol in 2011. However, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pulwama incident in 2019, leading to a ban on Pakistani films in India. Pakistan responded with its own ban on Indian films.
In September, director Bilal Lashari had excitedly announced the film’s release in India in partnership with Zee Studios and Zindagi. However, the opposition quickly gained momentum, particularly from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Ameya Khopkar, President of the MNS Cinema Wing, expressed strong objections, saying, “We will not entertain any Pakistani film or actors in India,” and warned of protests if the film was shown. He cited border tensions and questioned the need for Pakistani talent when India had plenty of its own.
Despite these obstacles, Mandviwalla remains optimistic, highlighting the film’s overwhelming success. The Legend of Maula Jatt has already grossed Rs 400 crore both domestically and internationally. A release in India could mark a significant achievement for Pakistani cinema and foster a rare cultural exchange between the two nations.
For now, the future of the film’s release in India hangs in the balance, with fans on both sides of the border eagerly awaiting further developments.
