India once again banned the release of the Pakistani smashing hit ‘The Legends of Maula Jatt’. The film starring Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Hamza Ali Abbasi in lead roles was in the process of being released in the cross-border Indian Punjab. The film will no longer be released in India following the latest ban by the government.
The film was expected to be released in cinemas across Indian Punjab on October 2nd, 2024. However, the officials in Delhi denied the permission for the release of the movie.
Film distributor Nadeem Mandivalla speaking with Press Trust of India asserted that the release of the movie has been halted in India following a stay order by the Indian court on the plea by the ministry.
Read more: Pakistani Blockbuster ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ Set for Historic India Release
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India has not given a clear reason behind denying it permission.
In over a decade, this would have been the first Pakistani film to hit Indian screens. Back in 2022, Bilal Lashari announced the film would be released in India soon. Produced by Ammara Hikmat and directed by Bilal Lashari, the movie marks a major milestone for cross-border cinema. Lashari took to social media to share the exciting news, expressing pride that, even after two years, The Legend of Maula Jatt continues to fill cinemas in Pakistan, especially on weekends.
“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 labor of love!” he had written on his Instagram account.
A remake of the 1979 Maula Jatt, The Legends of Maula Jatt is the highest-grossing Pakistani movie. The news of the release of the movie sparked protests in the Indian Maharashtra state where the regional Maharashtra Navnirman Sena political party said that it won’t allow the release of the Pakistani film “under any circumstance”.