On Saturday, September 28, it was announced that the controversial Pakistani film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ will not release in any Indian theatre. This decision comes as a response to a longstanding policy in Pakistan which bars Indian films from being shown in the country since 2019, after India abrogated Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
Pakistani film 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' is not being permitted in cinema theatres in India. It is learnt that the decision has been taken as Indian films have not been permitted in Pakistan since 2019: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024
The film was initially slated to release on October 2 in India, but according to the recent update, that will not happen and no Indian cinema hall will screen the film.
Zee Studios had bought the Indian rights for this all-time high-grosser Pakistani film. In December 2022, the makers had planned to release the film in Punjab and Delhi to target Punjabi speakers. However, the announcement of the film’s release triggered a massive outrage in the country. Nationalists registered their outrage stating that Pakistani films should not be released in India especially when the Islamic Republic continues to sponsor terrorism in India. Moreover, the movie had also courted controversy for starring actor Hamza Ali Abbassi, known for his admiration of 26/11 terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
Pakistani film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ to be released in India
9 September 2024
While the release of many Indian films is banned in Pakistan, a controversial Pakistani film featuring a notorious sympathiser of terrorist Hafiz Saeed, is all set to be released in India. Notably, Pakistan’s only Rs 100 crore grossing film, ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ will be released in India on 2nd October. The film has been in controversy for several years as it features Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi, a notorious sympathiser of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
Initially, the makers of the film had scheduled its release in December 2022 but after facing massive backlash in India, its release in India was postponed “indefinitely”.
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Recently, the filmmakers shared a poster of the film from the official Instagram account of ‘Maula Jatt’ to inform about its release date. The caption read, “Two years on, The Legend of Maula Jatt is still unstoppable! Witness the epic saga on the big screen in India from 2nd October 2024. Cinema listing to be shared soon.”
Announcement of film’s release triggers outrage
Several netizens have expressed disappointment and registered their protest over the release of a Pakistani film in India when the country continues to carry out terrorism against India. They have also cited Hamza Abbasi’s praise for a terrorist who killed scores of innocent people in India and carried out one of the worst terrorist attacks on Indian soil, 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Expressing disappointment, the Head of BJP Maharashtra social media team, Ashutosh Dubey wrote, “It raises concerns about how @ZeeStudios_ can proceed with the release of this Pakistani film, considering that the funds generated from Indian audiences may potentially be utilized for activities that threaten India’s security.”
It raises concerns about how @ZeeStudios_ can proceed with the release of this Pakistani film, considering that the funds generated from Indian audiences may potentially be utilized for activities that threaten India’s security.#BoycottZeeStudios pic.twitter.com/eZwZyIvIZI
— ADV. ASHUTOSH J. DUBEY 🇮🇳 (@AdvAshutoshBJP) September 18, 2024
Source : Opindia
