The highly anticipated Pakistani film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt,’ starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, is set to become the first Pakistani movie in over a decade to hit Indian theatres. The film is scheduled for release on October 2, 2024, across cinemas in Punjab, India, PTI reported.
Directed by Bilal Lashari, the film has already made waves globally, becoming Pakistan’s highest-grossing movie, raking in over Rs 400 crore. The film’s team took to social media to announce this milestone, with Lashari expressing his excitement, stating, “I can’t wait for our Punjabi audience in India to experience the magic of this labor of love.”
The movie is a remake of the 1979 cult classic ‘Maula Jatt’ and tells the gripping story of the rivalry between Maula Jatt, played by Fawad, and his nemesis Noori Natt, portrayed by Hamza Abbasi. Released in Pakistan in 2022, the film has enjoyed uninterrupted success for two years, selling out shows even on weekends.
The Indian release is made possible through a collaboration between Zee Studios and Zindagi, which earlier brought Fawad back to Indian audiences through the show ‘Barzakh.’ This marks the first release of a Pakistani film in India since 2011, when ‘Bol’ graced the screens.
With the legendary pairing of Fawad and Mahira, known for their hit Pakistani drama ‘Humsafar’, the film is expected to generate significant buzz in India. Industry insiders are optimistic, with one commenting, “India is a massive market for films, and we are confident that ‘Maula Jatt’ will be appreciated by Indian audiences.”
The release comes after years of strained relations between the Indian and Pakistani film industries, following a spate of political tensions that led to the banning of films from each country. Despite this, Fawad and Mahira have maintained a strong fanbase in India, with Fawad’s career taking a hit after the controversy surrounding his role in ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ in 2016.
Originally slated for a December 2022 release, ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ faced delays but is now poised to make its Indian debut.
Key Highlights:
- ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ will be the first Pakistani film in over a decade to release in India, hitting theatres on October 2, 2024.
- Starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the film is a remake of the 1979 classic and is Pakistan’s highest-grossing movie.
- The movie has already earned over Rs 400 crore globally and continues to perform strongly in Pakistan.
- The film’s Indian release is expected to generate excitement, especially given the popularity of its lead actors.