'The Legend of Moolah Jat' fails to release in India: 'It's like a cinematic version of cricket rivalry'

 

Pakistan's blockbuster film 'The Legend of Moolah Jat' could not be screened in theaters today (October 2) due to lack of permission from the concerned authorities in Delhi.

The film, starring Pakistani superstars Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, was scheduled to be released on October 2 in cinemas in the Indian state of Punjab on the occasion of Gandhi's birthday, and if it had been released in Indian cinemas, it would have been released last year. It would have been the first Pakistani film to play on Indian screens in ten years.

screening of the film has been suspended indefinitely due to the lack of permission from the relevant authorities.

According to the Indian news agency 'Press Trust of India', the film's distributor in India, 'Zee Studios', confirmed on Tuesday that the film has been shelved indefinitely.

A source at Zee Studios also confirmed  on Wednesday morning that the film's release has been put on hold indefinitely after reports of the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's refusal to grant permission.

his is not the first time that the film has not been released in India.

Earlier, 'The Legend of Moolah Jat' was scheduled to be released on December 30, 2022 in theaters across India where people understand and speak Punjabi, but even then its release was postponed indefinitely. was canceled for the period.

Although there is silence at the official level about the film not being screened, users are giving mixed reactions on social media to the decision of 'not allowing a Pakistani film to be screened

It should be remembered that the statement of Raj Thackeray, the political leader of the state of Maharashtra and the founder of 'Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena', against the screening of Moolah Jat in India on October 2, came out, after which the screening of this film was opposed in various circles. had gained strength

raj Thackeray had said that he would not allow the film to be released in Maharashtra, after which it was decided to restrict the screening to the state of Punjab

It should be noted that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and his nephew Raj Thackeray, who was once called his successor, have been strongly opposed to anti-Pakistan statements and playing cricket matches against Pakistan

The popularity and demand of Pakistani entertainment industry in India can be seen in the immense popularity of some TV series. From Pakistani dramas 'Zindagi Gulzar Hai' to the recently released drama serial 'Barzakh', they have become quite popular among Indian consumers.

However, after the attack in Uri, Indian-administered Kashmir on 18 September 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, an organization of Bollywood cinema, passed a resolution banning Pakistani actors and crew members from working in India. was

It should be noted that no Pakistani film has been widely released in India since the BJP government came to power. The last major release was 'Bol' which was released in the year 2011.

The film 'Joyland', which was sent to the Oscars by Pakistan, was to be released in India in March last year, but according to a report in 'The Hindu' newspaper, the matter could not go beyond the organized screening 

Suraj Kumar said about India-Pakistan's common cinema culture, "Cinema has long served as a bridge between India and Pakistan, despite political tensions, filmmakers, actors and writers from both countries are working together." .'

"Stars like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam have contributed immensely to Indian music, while actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have left a lasting impression on Bollywood audiences," he said.

In this regard, different types of opinions were seen on Indian social media as well.

A user named Akshay Joshi wrote that 'The central government bowed down to Raj Thackeray's demand, nationwide ban on The Legend of Moolah Jat. Even without a post, Raj Thackeray's influence over the central government proves that his power is far greater than electoral numbers.'

A user named SG Research wrote, 'It's like a cinematic version of the (India-Pakistan) cricket rivalry. Maybe we need a Bollywood vs Lollywood match to