NEW DELHI: The Indian release of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer The Legend of Maula Jatt has been stalled for a second time in two years, apparently over threats of trouble from right-wing nationalists. No official reason has been given in this regard.

The movie was due to be released this time in India’s Punjab state on Oct 2, which coincided with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

Reports quoted a Hindu nat­ionalist party from Maharashtra as threatening violence against movie halls showing the Pakistani blockbuster in India. It was also claimed that the move to stall the second attempt to release the film may have been due to the ban on Indian films in Pakistan.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been especially outspoken against the film’s release. Earlier this month, Ameya Khopkar, President of the MNS Cinema Wing, said: “We will not entertain any Pakistani film or actors in India,” and called on others nationwide to join their protest.

Movie was due to be released in Indian Punjab on Oct 2

Khopkar emphasised the emotional weight behind this stance, citing ongoing tensions at the borders. “Our soldiers are dying. Why do we need Pakistani actors here? Don’t we have enough talent?” he asked.

Pakistani artists were banned in India after the Uri attack in 2016. Despite legal challenges to the ban, the Supreme Court rejected a petition in November 2023 that aimed to remove restrictions on Pakistani artists working in India.

The movie was originally released in 2022. It was initially scheduled to release in December 2022, in India. However, its release was indefinitely delayed, leaving the fans disheartened. The previous proposed rele­ase coincided with the brief stalling of Shahrukh Khan starrer Pathaan. Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pra­soon Joshi said at the time the makers of Pathaan have been asked to implement “advised changes…including the songs and submit the revised version”.

The move came days after one of the movie’s songs, Besharam Rang, featuring Deepika Pad­ukone in a saffron bikini, faced social media backlash allegedly for “hurting Hindu sentiments”.

Zee Studios had acquired the distribution rights of the movie, which was to have a limited release in Delhi and Punjab.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024