Indian audience will have to wait for the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt

In a sudden turn of events, the highly anticipated Indian release of Pakistani blockbuster "The Legend of Maula Jatt" has been halted due to a court-issued stay order, disappointing fans and raising questions about cross-border cultural collaborations.

According to sources from Pakistani distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla, the film's release has been stalled again due to a court-issued stay order, initiated by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The movie, starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, had been slated for an October 2 release in the Indian state of Punjab through Zee Studios in collaboration with Zindagi.

The cancellation has ignited a heated debate over restrictions on Pakistani artists in India. Delhi-based theater actor Imran Zahid filed a Right to Information (RTI) petition on September 12, seeking clarity on the Indian government's stance regarding collaborations with Pakistani film and theater artists.

Zahid, who is adapting the Pakistani TV serial "Humsafar" for Indian audiences, expressed his disappointment with the decision while talking to Nukta. "It is disheartening to see Maula Jatt's release stalled," he said. "We've seen Pakistani actors being reintroduced to Indian audiences through digital platforms despite earlier bans. If digital platforms are allowing this, why aren't cinema halls following suit?"

Zahid also questioned the inconsistencies in the government's approach. He pointed out that during a press conference in January last year, then-Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur mentioned Pakistan among the invited nations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Film Festival.

"Why this decision now?" Zahid questioned. "If there is any restriction, we should be made clearly aware of it, and we'll naturally abide by it."

Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in The Legend of Maula JattImran Zahid's Twitter

The controversy surrounding "The Legend of Maula Jatt" underscores the complex relationship between India and Pakistan in the realm of cultural exchange. While OTT platforms have been streaming content from around the globe, including Pakistan, the theatrical release of films seems to face more significant hurdles.

"The Legend of Maula Jatt," a remake of a 1979 Punjabi film, has already achieved the status of highest-grossing film in Pakistan. Its potential release in India was seen as a step towards normalizing cultural ties between the two nations.

As the situation unfolds, industry professionals and movie enthusiasts alike await further clarification from the government on the future of cross-border cinematic collaborations. Until then, the fate of 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' in Indian cinemas remains uncertain.