The Legend of Maula Jatt, a highly acclaimed Pakistani film starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, is set to make its debut in Indian cinemas. The film, which was a massive hit in Pakistan upon its release in 2022, is scheduled to hit theaters in India’s Punjab region on October 2, 2024.
Director Bilal Lashari and actress Mahira Khan took to Instagram to share the exciting news. Lashari expressed his anticipation, stating, “Releasing in India, Punjab on Wednesday 2nd Oct! Two years in, and still house full on weekends in Pakistan! Now, I can’t wait for our Punjabi audience in India to experience the magic of this labour of love.” Khan shared the film’s poster on her Instagram Stories with the caption, “Let’s go,” while Fawad Khan simply re-shared the announcement.
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A Milestone Release
This release marks the first Pakistani film to enter Indian theaters in over a decade. The film is a modern remake of the 1979 Pakistani classic Maula Jatt, and focuses on the intense rivalry between the brutal gang leader Noori Natt, played by Hamza Ali Abbasi, and the local hero Maula Jatt, portrayed by Fawad Khan.
The announcement has generated significant buzz among fans, who are eager to see a Pakistani film on the big screen after a prolonged absence due to a ban imposed on Pakistani artists following the 2016 Uri terror attack. The ban was in effect for several years, but a Supreme Court ruling in November 2023 dismissed a plea for a total ban on Pakistani artists performing or working in India.
Background and Context
Both Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have previously worked in Indian cinema. Fawad appeared in popular films such as Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Kapoor & Sons, and Khoobsurat, while Mahira made her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Raees.
The return of Pakistani films to Indian theaters is seen as a significant cultural moment, and The Legend of Maula Jatt is expected to rekindle interest and open doors for more cross-border collaborations in the future.
