The much-anticipated Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt, set to hit Indian theaters on October 2, has stirred controversy as political opposition mounts. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party in India, has strongly objected to the film’s release.
In a statement to The Times of India, Ameya Khopkar, head of the MNS cinema division and a producer himself, reaffirmed the party’s stance. “We will not allow Pakistani films to be screened, nor will we permit Pakistani actors to work in Indian productions,” Khopkar declared.
This isn’t the first time The Legend of Maula Jatt has encountered resistance in India. When the film was initially slated for release in 2022, Khopkar took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration. “Plans are underway to release Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s film in India, which is unacceptable. The involvement of an Indian company in this endeavor is even more infuriating,” he wrote at the time.
He further emphasized that, under orders from MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the party would ensure the movie’s release is blocked across India. In a follow-up post, Khopkar went as far as to label fans of Fawad Khan as “traitors,” suggesting they go to Pakistan to watch the movie.
This is not the first instance of MNS taking a hardline approach towards Pakistani films and artists. Khopkar had previously voiced strong opposition to Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which featured Fawad Khan alongside Indian actors Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor.
Similarly, Mahira Khan’s appearance in Raees, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, faced opposition from MNS party leaders. Their long-standing demand has been the complete exclusion of Pakistani talent from Bollywood.
At the time of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’s release in 2016, Khopkar gave a clear warning through India Today: “The nation’s interest is paramount. We don’t care about the losses producers might face. If Ae Dil Hai Mushkil hits the screens, there will be consequences at cinemas. Yes, this is a threat.”
The Legend of Maula Jatt, directed by Bilal Lashari, is a reimagining of the 1979 classic Maula Jatt and has achieved significant success. It stars Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Humaima Malick, Gohar Rasheed, and a host of other prominent actors. By January 2023, the film had earned Rs1 billion domestically and $10 million globally.
Should it proceed as planned, The Legend of Maula Jatt will be the first Pakistani film to be released in Indian cinemas in over a decade, the last being Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol in 2011.
