The release of the blockbuster Pakistani film *The Legend of Maula Jatt* has been delayed in India after officials in Delhi denied permission for its screening, as confirmed by the BBC. A remake of a 1979 Punjabi film, this 2022 movie is the highest-grossing film in Pakistan’s history. It was set to debut in the northern Indian state of Punjab on Wednesday, marking the first Pakistani film to reach Indian screens in over a decade.
The relationship between the South Asian neighbors is often strained, which frequently impacts cultural exchanges. A source close to Zee Studios, the film’s distributor in India, confirmed that the release had been indefinitely stalled following a denial from the information and broadcasting ministry. The reasons for this decision are not immediately clear, and the BBC has reached out to the ministry for further comments.
Featuring major Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the film narrates the story of a local folk hero confronting the leader of a rival clan. Initially slated for release in India in 2022, the film’s screening was postponed until last month when director Bilal Lashari announced its impending theatrical debut. He expressed excitement on Instagram, stating, “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 labor of love!”
However, protests erupted in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, where the regional political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena declared it would prevent the film’s release “under any circumstances.” Mumbai, located in this state, is home to Bollywood, India’s largest film industry.
Following these tensions, Zee Studios opted to restrict the film’s release to Punjab, which shares linguistic and cultural ties with Pakistan’s Punjab province. Despite ongoing tensions, there remains a deep-rooted appreciation for each other’s art and culture between India and Pakistan.
Movies and web series produced in India and Pakistan have traditionally enjoyed wide popularity across borders. Bollywood and Punjabi films, in particular, have garnered significant audiences in Pakistan, while Pakistani television series have found a substantial viewership in India. Additionally, performers from both countries have a rich history of cross-border collaborations in film and music.
However, these collaborations came to a halt following tensions, with Bollywood dropping Pakistani actors in 2016 and Pakistan subsequently banning Indian films in 2019 due to military conflicts. Despite this, a few Punjabi films from India have been screened in Pakistan in recent months, hinting at a slight easing of restrictions.
In 2023, India’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a complete ban on Pakistani performers, urging petitioners not to be “so narrow-minded.” This mild thaw in relations, combined with the global success of *Maula Jatt*, led its makers to hope for a warm reception in India. The film’s leading actors are already well-known in India for their roles in popular Pakistani dramas and have previously appeared in big-budget Bollywood productions, which added to the anticipation for the film’s release.
