The Legend of Maula Jatt’s Indian release stalled again

Reports quoted a Hindu nationalist party from Maharashtra as threatening violence against movie halls showing the Pakistani blockbuster in India.

Our Correspondent

04 Oct, 2024

The Indian release of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer The Legend of Maula Jatt has been stalled for a second time in two years, apparently over threats of trouble from right-wing nationalists. No official reason has been given in this regard.

The movie was due to be released this time in India’s Punjab state on October 2, which coincided with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

Reports quoted a Hindu nationalist party from Maharashtra as threatening violence against movie halls showing the Pakistani blockbuster in India. It was also claimed that the move to stall the second attempt to release the film may have been due to the ban on Indian films in Pakistan.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been especially outspoken against the film’s release. Earlier this month, Ameya Khopkar, President of the MNS Cinema Wing, said: “We will not entertain any Pakistani film or actors in India,” and called on others nationwide to join their protest.

Khopkar emphasised the emotional weight behind this stance, citing ongoing tensions at the borders. “Our soldiers are dying. Why do we need Pakistani actors here? Don’t we have enough talent?” he asked.

Pakistani artists were banned in India after the Uri attack in 2016. Despite legal challenges to the ban, the Supreme Court rejected a petition in November 2023 that aimed to remove restrictions on Pakistani artists working in India.

The movie was originally released in 2022. It was initially scheduled to release in December 2022, in India. However, its release was indefinitely delayed, leaving the fans disheartened. The previous proposed release coincided with the brief stalling of Shahrukh Khan starrer Pathaan.

Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Prasoon Joshi said at the time the makers of Pathaan have been asked to implement “advised changes…including the songs and submit the revised version”.

The move came days after one of the movie’s songs, ‘Besharam Rang’, featuring Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini, faced social media backlash allegedly for “hurting Hindu sentiments”.

Zee Studios had acquired the distribution rights of the movie, which was to have a limited release in Delhi and Punjab.

Originally published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024

Comments

Jamil Soomro Oct 04, 2024 05:07pm

It is amazing how the visionary the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan knew during the British India that the Right Wing Hindu Nationalists would create problems for Muslims and it has come true. But there is some good news the Hindustan(India) FM is finally coming to Pakistan like Mohandas Gandhi.

Recommend

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Oct 04, 2024 07:08pm

As expected.

kash Oct 04, 2024 07:47pm

Good, they dont want to watch our film and we should ban theirs. Just release it on amazon prime or netflix. Those in India who want to see it can watch it on there.

Taj Ahmad Oct 04, 2024 09:14pm

This only a film to watch by South Asian communities in India and Pakistan, I don’t understand why some people are playing politics on it, please try to understand, dirty politics often play by toxic mindset politicians in India and Pakistan but not by general public on both sides of the border. Please don’t listen to them and be friends to each other’s as always. Thanks to all.

Asif Naim Oct 05, 2024 03:17am

Politics is the death of sports and entertainment industry.

Gurpreet Singh Oct 05, 2024 08:46am

Good decision. A vast majority of Indians have absolutely no interest in watching this movie. Cultural exchanges & bilateral sports events can only happen after all hostilities end. Country comes first.

Gurpreet Singh Oct 05, 2024 07:32pm

@TAJ AHMAD — You seem like a good person and the kind of Pakistani that I & many Indians could be friends with. The issue that most Indians like me have, is not with Pakistanis but with Pakistan the country and particularly its military establishment. We have tried to have good relations with Pakistan many times but were always stabbed in the back. The Mumbai 26/11 attacks were the breaking point for many Indians like me. We realized that no matter how hard we tried, Pakistan will not change its ways. So its best to have no relations with Pakistan and focus on more important issues and countries. That thinking has worked well for us.

Gurpreet Singh Oct 05, 2024 08:39pm

@JAMIL SOOMRO — You guys love talking about right wing politics in India but Pakistan’s very creation was based on a right wing Muslim movement. While I agree there are right wing entities in India almost every country in the world today including western nations, have right wing movements. And despite everything the fact remains that India is constitutionally secular and a Muslim has the same rights as any other Indian and can hold the highest offices in the country (which they have in the past). Is that also the case in Pakistan?