In December 2022, shortly after it took Pakistan’s movie industry by storm, The Legend of Maula Jatt was scheduled to hit Indian theatres. However, its release was opposed by certain political groups and subsequently cancelled. Two years on, the Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan-led blockbuster is finally arriving in Indian screens on October 2, becoming the first Pakistani film in over 10 years to have a theatrical release in India. Distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla is confident of a strong run, even though the action drama is opening only in the Punjab circuit for now.

Is he disappointed that it’s not releasing in Mumbai, the hub of Indian cinema? Not really, says Mandviwalla, hoping that Zee Studios -- which is facilitating the India release -- might have bigger plans ahead. “It was Bollywood which started [the practice of] Pakistani actors not being allowed to work in India. The other film industries, like those in Punjab and south, have no problem. If the picture becomes a success, it should be released in the south. This is our Baahubali, and I feel the south audience will appreciate its scale and vision.”