The Legend of Maula Jatt’s Indian release faces opposition from hardline nationalist party

Pakistani blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt, which is slated to release in India on October 2, is once again facing opposition from Indian political parties.

The Times of India reported that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has vowed that it will not permit the release of the movie.

Ameya Khopkar, the president of MNS’ cinema wing and a producer, told the publication, “We will not allow the release of Pakistani films, nor will we allow their artists to work in Indian films.”

In 2022, when the movie was originally scheduled to be released in India, Khopkar took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “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.”

Khopkar shared that on the orders of MNS Chairperson Raj Thackeray, they would not allow the release of the movie anywhere in India.

In a follow-up tweet, the producer-politician — who has made films like Lai Bhaari, Ye Re Ye Re Paisa and Bhonga — called Fawad’s Indian fans “traitors” and suggested they go to Pakistan to watch the film.

The Legend of Maula Jatt is not the only film that Khopkar and MNS have had issues with. The producer previously spoke against the release of Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Fawad, Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor and some party leaders opposed the release of Mahira Khan’s Raees alongside Shah Rukh Khan. MNS had also called for a ban on Pakistani artists working in India.

At the time of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’s release six years ago, Khopkar told India Today, “Nation comes first. We don’t care about losses faced by producers. There will be trouble in theatres if Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is released. Yes, we are threatening.”

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

The movie, directed by Bilal Lashari, made Rs1 billion at the domestic box office and $10 million at the worldwide box office, as of January 2023.

With its release in India, The Legend of Maula Jatt will be the first Pakistani movie in Indian cinemas in over a decade, after Shoaib Mansoor’s 2011 Bol.