'The Legend of Maula Jatt' faces roadblock in India release

Ban on Pakistani artists, protests from MNS halt screening

According to ANI, the highly anticipated Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt, starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, will not hit Indian cinemas as scheduled. The 2022 film, originally set for release on October 2, 2024, has been stalled due to political and social tensions between the two countries.

The film was expected to mark a historic moment as the first Pakistani release in India in more than a decade. However, the film's release has now been blocked, with sources citing the ongoing ban on Indian films in Pakistan as a key factor. The ban has been in place since 2019, and any Pakistani films attempting to enter the Indian market face significant opposition.

As per Bollywood Life, in an earlier statement, Thackeray issued a warning ahead of the film's proposed release in early October. "Allowing Pakistani cinema to enter Maharashtra will be costly," he declared, raising questions about whether the film would even see the light of day in certain parts of India.

Thackeray's grievances are rooted in the timing of the release, coinciding with the Navratri festival in Maharashtra. He emphasised the potential for unrest: "Navratri festival will start around the time when this movie will be released. I don't want any conflict to happen in Maharashtra."

The controversy has cast a shadow over what was otherwise set to be a momentous occasion. The Legend of Maula Jatt, which originally hit cinemas in Pakistan in 2022, has become one of the country's highest-grossing films. Now, fans in India were eagerly awaiting its release, especially given that this will be the first Pakistani film in over a decade to hit Indian theatres.

Director Bilal Lashari, along with Mahira, had shared their excitement on social media, with Lashari announcing, "Releasing in India, Punjab on Wednesday October 2. 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."

This controversy comes at an interesting time for the Fawad, who has long been one of the most beloved Pakistani stars to cross over into Bollywood. His previous appearances in hit films like Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil left a lasting impression on Indian audiences. Now, rumours are swirling about his return to Bollywood, with Hindustan Times reporting that he is set to star in a romantic comedy alongside Ridhi Dogra. According to sources, the project will begin filming at the end of this year, and the movie is expected to release in late 2025 or early 2026.