'The Legend of Maula Jatt' premieres in China

Pakistan's blockbuster film 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' premiered in China, marking a significant milestone in cultural cooperation between the two countries. According to a statement from the Pakistan embassy in China, the release of the film would mark a historic milestone in cinematic collaboration between Pakistan and China.

It stated that the Pakistan's Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi congratulated filmmaker Bilal Lashari on this landmark achievement and expressed appreciation to the China Film Administration, China Film Import and Export Corporation, and China Film Group for their valuable support in bringing the film to Chinese audiences.

"Hashmi noted that the release of the film coincided with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, saying that the film offered Chinese audiences a unique opportunity to experience the richness and vibrancy of Pakistani cinema while reflecting the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation between the film industries of the two countries," the statement said.

The ambassador further added that the film's release followed the Film Co-Production Agreement signed in June 2024 between Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the China Film Administration. "The agreement aims to promote exchanges between filmmakers and encourage joint productions that resonate with audiences in both countries," he said.

According to the statement, Hashmi said the country had over 200 million telecom subscribers, more than 200 television channels, and state-of-the-art cinema infrastructure. He also underscored Pakistan's growing international recognition in the film industry, with Pakistani filmmakers recently receiving accolades at the SCO Film Festival in China.

The ambassador noted that the premiere of the film was not only a proud recognition of Pakistani creative talent but also an important step forward in deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and China.

"He expressed confidence that more Pakistani films would reach Chinese audiences, while more Chinese films would find a home in Pakistan, further strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries," the statement added.

The statement further stated that the screening of the film represented a significant new chapter in Pakistan-China cultural cooperation and underscored the shared commitment of both countries to fostering deeper understanding through artistic and cinematic exchange.

Meanwhile, the Punjabi-language blockbuster is returning to cinemas in the UK this Eid. Director Bilal Lashari announced the news in an Instagram post, writing, "You asked for it - it's back! The Legend of Maula Jatt returns to UK cinemas this Eid - March 28! Catch the epic, history-making blockbuster one more time in theatres."

Bilal followed the announcement up with another post, which listed the 29 venues where the film would be screening. Fans in the UK should be able to see the titular protagonist wielding his gandasa on the big screens at Cineworld, VUE, and ODEON. The running period for the film has yet to be confirmed.

The film originally released worldwide in October 2022, spotlighting a star-studded cast including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hamza Ali Abbasi. Amid political tensions, it also secured an India release date in 2024. However, its delayed run in the neighbouring country was halted by September.

The action reboot was expected to mark a historic moment as the first Pakistani release in India in more than a decade. However, the film's release was 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. His grievances were 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 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.