Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt is all set to release in India two years after its original worldwide release. Starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in the lead, it is the first Pakistani film to screen in India in over a decade. However, Karachi-based filmmaker Nadeem Mandviwala, who has also distributed the film in Pakistan, exclusively told IndiaToday.in that they are releasing the film only in Punjab and not across the country.

Hopeful that the film can still do good business at the box office, Mandviwala said, “The film can still do some extraordinary business in India as till date it is not available on any OTT platform. Thus, it has a great chance of becoming a big hit. It might take some time as the film is releasing after two years and there is no longer the same excitement as it had at the time of its original release in 2022. However, the appreciation for the film is bound to create that excitement again.”

The Legend of Maula Jatt is a remake of the 1979 Pakistani film Maula Jatt. It was the biggest Pakistani box office hit when it released two years ago. The makers are hoping that Punjabi audiences will give it a chance in theatres as the story is based on Punjabi culture.

We also spoke to a source close to the film, who revealed that releasing The Legend of Maula Jatt only in Punjab is also a way to test the waters. The source said, “This release is like a litmus test to check the reception of a Pakistani film in the current times. If it works in their favour, the film might see a wider release in other cities as well in the near future.”

The source added, “While there is a ray of hope with the movement of content and artistes coming from the neighbouring country, it will take time to make it a freeway. Apart from security issues, the team wants to avoid any kind of controversy or negativity. With Punjab being the market, they felt it would be best to release the film there for now.”

Earlier, the film’s director Bilal Lashari also shared information about its release in Punjab in India. He posted the film’s poster on social media and wrote, “Releasing in Bharat, Punjab on Wednesday 2nd October! Housefull on weekends in Pakistan even after two years! Now, I can’t wait for our Punjabi audience in India to experience the magic of this love!”

Zee Studios is facilitating the distribution of The Legend of Maula Jatt in India. It is part of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, which also owns Zindagi channel, the only platform to syndicate Pakistani content, especially TV dramas, in India.

The film was scheduled to release in India in 2022, the same time as its worldwide release. However, several political parties objected to the release and the film never released here. It stars Fawad in the role of a rural man and focuses on his fight against tyranny and injustice.