Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s The Legend of Maula Jatt Breaks a Decade-Long Drought in Indian Theatres
Pakistani cinema is returning to Indian screens on a grand scale it has no less than Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan to lead it! The Legend of Maula Jatt 2022 is to be released in cinemas in India on 2nd October 2024 in the state of Punjab, the first in over ten years. After years of anticipation, fans on both sides of the border are buzzing with excitement to witness this cultural phenomenon.
Director Bilal Lashari and Mahira Khan couldn’t help but rejoice as they took to social media to share the good news. Lashari posted, “Releasing in India, Punjab on Wednesday 2nd Oct! Two years in, and still house full on weekends in Pakistan!
Now, I’m all the more eager to see the magic unfold in front of our Punjabi fans in India. Mahira, always exuding effortless cool, posted the poster of the film on Instagram Stories with a simple but enthusiastic caption, “Let’s go.” Fawad, in his habitual understated manner, simply re-shared a post, letting the news speak for itself. This is monumental not only for Pakistani cinema but the artistic bridge that the two countries share. Coming off the heels of the 2016 ban on Pakistani artists working in India, post the Uri terror attack, this is the first time a project from Pakistan will grace Indian screens. And it’s more than just a film—it’s a historic moment for art, culture, and cinema. The Supreme Court of India dismissed an application in 2023 seeking a permanent ban on Pakistani artists. This paved the way for this release and what fans hope could be a leap of more collaborations into the future.
Legend of Maula Jatt is the remake of the 1979 classic Maula Jatt, a movie that has deep roots in Pakistani pop culture. It’s the heroic wrestling Maula Jatt, in this retelling by Fawad Khan, tormented in the present by flashbacks of his past. He heads straight to Punjab to take on Noori Natt played by Hamza Ali Abbasi. This wonder boy whose takings alone make Punjab shudder with fear; is the son of the evil queen Mumtaz. Good and evil, hero and villain are both brought to life through the electrifying action sequences and emotion-filled performances.
The entire cast has been appreciated for their power performances, such as Mukhoo Jattni performed by Mahira Khan, Daaro Nattni by Humaima Malick, and Maakha Natt by Gohar Rasheed. “The story of the film is rich in action, drama, and raw emotion over a rural Punjab landscape.”.
For the Indian audience, this film feels like a long-delayed reunion with two stars they have grown to love.
Fawad Khan gained people’s hearts in Bollywood with his performances in Kapoor & Sons, Khoobsurat, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Mahira marked a memorable appearance on the Bollywood silver screen, opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, instantly garnering a place in fans’ hearts. Their return to the Indian silver screen with The Legend of Maula Jatt is not just a cinematic event; it’s an event that celebrates talent beyond boundaries.
And the thrill does not stop at theatres. The Indian rights of the film have been acquired by Zee Studios, and there is a good buzz that The Legend of Maula Jatt will soon be available for streaming on Zee5. Though there is no official word from the platform yet, expect more updates in the days to come. Since its release in October 2022, The Legend of Maula Jatt has been breaking records to be the highest-grossing film in Pakistan. Now that it’s set for its Indian release, it is bound to break a couple more records and bring the magic of Pakistani cinema to an entirely new audience. October 2 is already around the corner, and suspense is at a record level. The wait has come to an end; it is time to watch the legend, the action, and pure cinematic brilliance come in The Legend of Maula Jatt.
