What do we gain by blocking the first Pakistani film to be released in India in over ten years? My Right to Information request, submitted in mid-September to India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of External Affairs, seeks clarity on the reasons behind such bans
Why Has the Pakistani Film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ Been Stopped from Being Released in Indian Theatres?
By Imran Zahid
New Delhi, India
It is incredibly disheartening to see that the release of the Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer, ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’, has been stalled for a theatrical release in India.
In an era where digital media transcends borders, banning a film only in theatres feels contradictory and out of place. Digital platforms have been fostering cross-border collaborations, and we’ve seen Pakistani actors being reintroduced to Indian audiences despite earlier bans.
If digital platforms can allow this, why can't the same openness extend to cinema halls?
What’s even more concerning is the lack of clear information from the Indian government regarding any association or collaboration with Pakistani artists on artistic or cinematic projects. Filmmakers and artists find themselves suffering at the last moment due to this uncertainty. For example, when Zee Studios announced the release of ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ a month ago, why is it now — so close to the release date — that we hear it has been stalled?
Is it because of the threats and negative statements that we have been hearing about over the past month regarding the release of this film?
By depriving our country of a critically acclaimed film, what message are we sending to the rest of the world?
Seeking clarity amidst this confusion on whether such a ban exists or not, I filed a Right To Information request with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 12 September followed by an RTI to the Ministry of External Affairs on 13 September. As per RTI rules, the ministries must reply within 30 days.
In the RTI, I asked two important questions.
First, if the government of India has at present imposed any restrictions imposed on collaborating with Pakistani film and theatre artists?
Second, if there is any ban on Pakistani artists working in India?
I raised this query because in November 2023 the Honorable Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea that sought a ban on Pakistani artists working in India, advising against such “narrow-mindedness”.
Since MidDay magazine in Mumbai reported on my RTI on 02 Oct, other media outlets have started picking it up.
Front-page of MidDay Entertainment Magazine HitList: Report on Imran Zahid’s RTI
In October 2023, the Honorable Bombay High Court had also rejected a petition calling for a total ban on Pakistani artists, noting that patriotism does not imply hostility toward foreigners.
The Bombay High Court further mentioned that during the 2023 World Cricket Cup, the Pakistani cricket team’s participation in India was made possible due to the commendable positive steps taken by the Government of India, aligned with Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, which promotes international peace and security.
The court emphasized that entertaining such petitions could undermine the government's efforts toward peace and harmony.
Originally released in 2022, The Legend of Maula Jatt, is the highest-grossing film in Pakistan's history, earning over USD $5 million, according to Box Office Mojo, an online database containing statistics about the film industry. Worldwide the film grossed nearly USD $14 million. It is a remake of the 1979 Pakistani Punjabi-language film of the same name.
Just two weeks ago the director Pakistani filmmaker Bilal Lashari posted his excitement about the film’s Indian release on his Instagram account: “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!”
A lot is at stake when producers take the initiative to release a film. A filmmaker or production house, especially after past rulings by the High Court and Supreme Court, would reasonably assume there is no such ban on cross-border cultural projects.
Moreover, in January 2023, during a press conference at the inauguration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival, the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, mentioned that Pakistan was among the invited nations.
Actor/director Imran Zahid: Seeking answers. Photo by Rohan
So, why this sudden decision now, and that too through media sources? It is concerning that instead of clear answers, we are hearing about the film’s stalled release through media reports and “sources”.
The film’s distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla told India’s PTI news agency that the film would not be released across the border in India’s Punjab state as planned because an Indian ministry has obtained a stay order from a court against the release of the film.
However, there is no official word about this.
“It's not immediately clear why the film was put on hold,” commented the BBC , saying they have contacted the ministry for comment.
If there is any ban or restriction, we, the people of India, should be made clearly aware of it. As responsible citizens, we will naturally abide by it. For every Indian, India’s interests come first.
Does banning a film from across the border serve the country's interests, or does it reflect a narrow-minded approach? This is a question open to debate.
(Imran Zahid is an Indian actor and the Director of a Media School in Delhi and Mumbai, known for his work in both theatre and Bollywood. He has been active in theatre for nearly 15 years, performing in various stage productions, including notable adaptations of Mahesh Bhatt's films like Arth, Daddy, and Hamari Adhuri Kahani, as well as the acclaimed play The Last Salute. In cinema, he was the lead actor in the film Ab Dilli Dur Nahin. His versatility across theatre and film has earned him recognition for his contribution to the arts. Email: syimza@gmail.com . This is a Sapan News syndicated feature)
HYPERLINKS USED IN ARTICLE
Filed a right to information request - https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/maula-jatt-release-ban-imran-zahid-demands-answers-on%C2%A0pakistan-collaboration-restrictions-23403896
Dismissed a plea - https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-plea-pakistani-artistes-ban-india-9045469/
MidDay magazine in Mumbai - https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/maula-jatt-release-ban-imran-zahid-demands-answers-on%C2%A0pakistan-collaboration-restrictions-23403896
Rejected a petition - https://tribune.com.pk/story/2442394/bombay-high-court-rejects-petition-seeking-ban-on-pakistani-artists-in-india-reports#google_vignette
Told India’s PTI news agency - https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/pakistani-hit-the-legend-of-maula-jatt-starring-fawad-khan-mahira-khan-not-to-release-in-india-confirms-distributor-101727840244178.html
Commented the BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgnyxe0xzdo
