MNS leader threatens protests over release of The Legend of Maula Jatt in India, says 'Why do we need Pakistani actors here'

The Legend of Maula Jatt

MNS leader Ameya Khopkar has threatened to disrupt the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt in India, declaring that no Pakistani films or actors will be allowed to work in the country.

Khopkar, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Cinema Wing, strongly opposed the release of Fawad Khan's film, emphasizing that the party will not tolerate any cultural exchange with Pakistan, especially in the entertainment industry.

“This movie will not be released,” Khopkar told ANI, referring to the Pakistani remake The Legend of Maula Jatt, which stars Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan. The film, originally released in 2022, is scheduled for an Indian release.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the proposed release of Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan's film "The Legend Of Maula Jatt" in India, President MNS Cinema Wing Ameya Khopkar says, "This movie will not be released. Not just this movie, we will not entertain any Pakistani film or actors pic.twitter.com/iepHCMcWB3
ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024

Khopkar warned that the MNS would lead a strong agitation if the film is released, calling on other political parties across India to join the protest.

Citing the 2016 Uri terror attacks, Khopkar said, “Our soldiers are dying at the borders and our cities are being attacked... Why do we need Pakistani actors here, don't we have enough talent here?”

He added, “We will beat any Pakistan actor who dares to come to India... Art and politics are different but we don't want the art at the cost of our soldiers... We will not let them come. This should be taken as a threat... There have been attacks till last week and will watch movies of Pakistan actors? How can one even think something like this?... We will not let them land their feet, we will break it...”

The Legend of Maula Jatt, starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, is set to become the first Pakistani film in over a decade to release in Indian theatres. Director Bilal Lashari, Mahira, and the film's official Instagram page shared the news on their social media platforms, expressing excitement about its release.

"Releasing in India, Punjab on Wednesday 2nd Oct! Two years in, and still house full on weekends in Pakistan! Now, I can’t wait for our Punjabi audience in India to experience the magic of this labor of love!" Lashari wrote on Instagram.

According to the poster, the film is a "Zee Studios release in collaboration with Zindagi," the same platform that brought Fawad Khan back to Indian audiences with its show Barzakh.

This would be the first Pakistani film to release in India since 2011's Bol, which starred Humaima Malick and Atif Aslam.

A massive hit in Pakistan, The Legend of Maula Jatt is a remake of the 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt and has grossed over Rs 400 crore globally.

The official Instagram page for the film announced, "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,"

Aside from Fawad and Mahira, the film features Hamza Abbasi in a pivotal role. "India is a massive market for films and we are confident that 'Maula Jatt' will be appreciated by Indian audiences," someone associated with the film stated.

Though tensions between India and Pakistan had affected Fawad’s career after the controversy surrounding his casting in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, both Fawad and Mahira remain popular in India.

The film is expected to generate significant buzz when it finally hits Indian theatres.