“The Legend of Maula Jatt”, the Pakistani blockbuster starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, is set to release in cinemas across China on May 21, 2026.
The move marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s film industry. It also opens new opportunities in one of the world’s most tightly regulated cinema markets.
Historic Entry into the Chinese Film Market
Filmmaker Bilal Lashari confirmed the development on social media. He described it as a breakthrough moment for Pakistani cinema.
“‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ has broken into one of the most exclusive film quotas in the world — the first Pakistani film ever to do so,” he wrote.
He further added, “A huge moment for Pakistani cinema, and a new door opening for our stories on the world stage.”
Lashari also shared a Mandarin poster and a dubbed trailer for the Chinese audience. Therefore, the film is now fully prepared for its international rollout.
A Modern Reimagining of a Cult Classic
The film originally released in October 2022. It serves as a reboot of the 1979 Punjabi cult classic “Maula Jatt”.
The story follows Maula Jatt as he confronts his rival Noori Natt. The conflict unfolds in a violent tribal backdrop set in Punjab.
The cast also includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick, Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi, and Ali Azmat.
Together, the ensemble strengthened the film’s commercial and artistic appeal.
Box Office Success and Global Impact
“The Legend of Maula Jatt” became one of Pakistan’s highest-grossing films. It earned over 13 million US dollars worldwide.
Domestically, it crossed the milestone of Rs1 billion at the box office. Consequently, it reshaped expectations for Pakistani cinema.
The film also played a key role in reviving large-scale filmmaking in the country. Moreover, it helped expand the global visibility of Punjabi-language cinema.
China Release as a Rare Achievement
China remains one of the world’s largest film markets. However, it strictly controls foreign film imports through a limited quota system.
Within this framework, Pakistani films rarely secure wide releases. Therefore, this entry represents a significant achievement.
Bilal Lashari stated that “The Legend of Maula Jatt” is the first Pakistani film to enter this exclusive quota system.
Previously, only a few Pakistani films managed limited screenings in China.
Earlier Pakistani Films in China
Earlier, “Parwaaz Hai Junoon” became the first Pakistani film in decades to screen in China. It released there in November 2020.
That film marked an early step toward expanding Pakistan’s cinematic reach in East Asia.
However, the latest release shows a stronger and more structured entry into the market.
Missed India Release Opportunity
The film was also expected to release in India in 2024. That would have marked the first Pakistani cinema release in India in over a decade.
However, the plan did not move forward due to political opposition from nationalist groups.
As a result, the film remained unreleased in Indian cinemas.
A New Chapter for Pakistani Cinema
The China release now signals a new direction for Pakistani filmmaking. It shows growing international interest in local stories and talent.
Moreover, it highlights the potential of regional cinema on global platforms.
As the release date approaches, industry observers see it as a defining moment for Pakistan’s cultural export industry.
