Nueplex starts screening 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' from today
After much controversy, The Legend of Maula Jatt is finally set to screen at Karachi's Nueplex cinemas, starting today. The exhibitors confirmed the news on their social media handles as they invite patrons to book their tickets for Bilal Lashari's cinematic masterpiece.
"Dear Patrons, The Legend Of Maula Jatt will start screening from tomorrow, Thursday, October 27 at Nueplex Cinemas," the Twitter handle shared on Wednesday. "Advance booking for the title will start from 8pm today." The decision was welcomed by the cast, distributors and crew of the film.
It is pertinent to note here that Nueplex had previously issued a statement regarding not screening the film, terming the distributor's terms 'out of the industry norms.'
The earlier statement by the cinema owners had shared, "We feel that it is highly unfortunate that the distributor of the title, The Legend of Maula Jatt asking for exhibition terms which are out of industry norms. Such rigid terms cannot be afforded by exhibitors, especially during times of economic instability."
Adding on, Nueplex shared, "We were hoping for a fairer approach in the future, as we are always here to welcome and screen any Pakistani film with open arms."
Last week, The Legend of Maula Jatt's distributor, Nadeem Mandviwalla, told The Express Tribune after a press conference that he won't rest until the film has screened in all cinemas across the country. Mandviwalla revealed that the negotiations with the other four cinema owners are still underway. "We aren't done yet," he shared.
"I won't rest until this film is screened in every cinema in Pakistan. We're trying to find a middle ground here. The Arena has started screening the film as of October 20, I'm hopeful that the rest of the cinemas will come onboard soon as well."
A reboot of Yunus Malik’s 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt, the film is a re-telling of the story of the rivalry between Maula Jatt and Noori Natt. Directed by Lashari, The Legend of Maula Jatt stars Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick, Mirza Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi, Ali Azmat, Nayyer Ejaz, Shafqat Cheema, Raheela Agha, Zia Khan and Saima Baloch.