Indian court halts 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' release amid legal challenge

The highly anticipated release of the Pakistani blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt has been halted in India due to a court petition, its distributor confirmed on Wednesday.

The film, starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, was scheduled for release today in the Indian state of Punjab but faced opposition from a far-right Hindu party.

Speaking to Indian media, the film’s distributor, Nadeem Mandviwala, stated that a petition had been filed in an Indian court, preventing the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt.

“Unfortunately, the release of the film has been delayed once again due to legal proceedings, and nothing can be done until the court issues its decision,” Mandviwala said.

The film was initially set to be a significant release for the Pakistani film industry in India, but its release has faced repeated delays.

Mandviwala expressed optimism, saying, “Whenever the release is possible, it will be a major success for Pakistani cinema.”

The decision to halt the release follows the 2016 ban on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood, a move imposed after the Uri attack. Both Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan had previously made their mark in Bollywood, with Fawad starring in Khoobsurat (2014) and Mahira in Raees (2017).

The Legend of Maula Jatt, released in Pakistan in October 2022, is a remake of the 1979 Pakistani classic. The film explores the rivalry between the local hero Maula Jatt and his nemesis Noori Natt.

Despite the delays, there remains hope that the film may eventually screen in Indian cinemas, bringing cross-border entertainment back to the forefront.