According to ANI, the much-anticipated Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt, featuring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, will not be released in Indian cinemas as initially planned. Originally scheduled for an October 2, 2024 release, the film has been delayed due to ongoing political and social tensions between India and Pakistan.
The film was expected to make history as the first Pakistani movie to be shown in India in over a decade. However, its release has been blocked, with sources pointing to Pakistan’s ban on Indian films, which has been in effect since 2019, as a major obstacle. This ban has made it difficult for Pakistani films to gain entry into the Indian market.
Bollywood Life reports that Thackeray had earlier issued a warning before the film’s expected release, stating, “Allowing Pakistani cinema into Maharashtra will be costly.” His statement raised doubts about whether the film would be screened in certain parts of India.
Thackeray’s concerns were linked to the film’s release timing, coinciding with the Navratri festival in Maharashtra. He highlighted the potential for unrest, saying, “Navratri will begin around the time this movie is set to release, and I don’t want any conflict in Maharashtra.”
The controversy surrounding The Legend of Maula Jatt, which became one of Pakistan’s highest-grossing films since its 2022 release, has cast a shadow over what could have been a historic moment. Indian fans were eagerly awaiting the movie, as it would have marked the first Pakistani release in Indian theaters in more than 10 years.
Director Bilal Lashari, along with Mahira Khan, had expressed their excitement on social media. Lashari announced, “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 a time when Fawad Khan, who is widely popular in India, is rumored to be returning to Bollywood. Having previously impressed Indian audiences with roles in Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Fawad is reportedly set to star in a romantic comedy with Ridhi Dogra, with filming expected to begin later this year and a release anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026.
