Dawn Images

Indian political party MNS may have opposed the release of Bilal Lashari’s The Legend of Maula Jatt in India but the Punjab censor board may go forth with it anyway. As per Indian media, the Punjabi-language film starring Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick and Gohar Rasheed will hit the big screen on December 30 in Punjab.

A source told Indian portal Bollywood Hungama, “The Legend Of Maula Jatt will be released in India on December 30, 2022. It’ll be the last major release to hit Indian screens. It was released in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world on October 13, 2022, and it has crossed the Rs200 crore mark at the worldwide box office. It is the first film from Pakistan to achieve this feat. Hence, a lot of people in India, especially the fans of the lead cast, are looking forward to seeing the film and it can have healthy box office numbers.”

They also disclosed that Zee Studios is behind the release of the film in Delhi and Punjab. The source reasoned that The Legend of Maula Jatt is a Punjabi film and will have the maximum chance of success in the Northern belt of India which is why it’s releasing in Delhi and Punjab. “A clear decision on this aspect will be taken later on,” said the source.

Another source, an industry expert, hopes that Zee Studios would release the film in rest of the country after the “word of mouth spreads” or for limited screenings in central cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Additionally, PVR Cinemas, located in Gurgaon, has the film banner up on their website in their coming soon section with a countdown for the film screening. It is currently set to seven days. YouTube channel Punjabi Screen Entertainment also reported that cinemas in Punjab have started screening the trailer with the release date at the end.

Previously, MNS leader Ameya Khopkar tweeted that on orders of party chairperson Raj Thackeray, they will not let the film release anywhere in India. “There are plans to release Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt in India. It is most infuriating that an Indian company is leading this plan.” His reaction was based on speculations of the film getting the go-ahead to be screened in India.

The Legend of Maula Jatt is a reboot of the 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt, reimagining Punjab’s own superhero for a world audience. The film also stars Faris Shafi, Ali Azmat, Raheela Agha, Babar Ali, Saima Baloch, Shafqat Cheema, Nayyar Ejaz and Resham.

As of November, the film made $8.95 million at the worldwide box office. The Legend of Maula Jatt made $3.58 million at the domestic box office and $5.37 million internationally. The film continues its box office run both domestically and internationally.

Images has reached out to the Maula Jatt team for a comment.