Latest news with #TheLegendofMaulaJatt
NDTV
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why Fawad Khan's Maula Jatt Is Called The Sholay Of Pakistan
What Sholay did for India, The Legend of Maula Jatt did for Pakistan, says Nadeem Mandivalla, one of the biggest exhibitors in the neighbouring country. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Nadeem Mandviwalla said when Ramesh Sippy's Sholay released in 1975, its gradual success turned the tide for Indian exhibition business, taking the market valued at Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore. With barely 60 cinemas across the country and a declining film industry in Pakistan, it is the Fawad Khan-starrer The Legend of Maula Jatt that is still playing Pakistani cinemas even after almost three years after its release. It's the highest earning Pakistani film of all time with Rs 125 crore in box office earnings, making it an "unbelievable" feat, he added. Sholay had a star-studded cast of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Mailini, and Jaya Bachchan. It follows a former police officer Thakur who hires two outlaws called Jai and Veeru to capture the notorious bandit Gabbar Singh who kills his family in cold blood. The Legend of Maula Jatt, based on Pakistani folklore, too featured the who's who of Pakistani film industry. Besides Fawad Khan, the film starred Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malik, Gohar Rasheed, and Ali Azmat, among others. In the movie, Maula Jatt (Fawad Khan) takes on his arch nemesis and the leader of a brutal clan, Noori Natt (Hamza Ali Abbasi). The Legend Of Maula Jatt - Pakistan's Own Sholay Nadeem Mandviwalla told NDTV that The Legend of Maula Jatt is "Pakistani Sholay". "For us, in 75 years, we finally made a Sholay. We had made great films but we hadn't made a Sholay. Now, I can say we have a Sholay of our own. There are two-three films in India that changed the course (of Indian cinema). "The concept of your market being Rs 25 crore and it suddenly becomes a market of Rs 100 crore that was a game changer, which Sholay did in 1975 -- from a Rs 5 crore market to a Rs 20 crore market. After Sholay, Maine Pyar Kiya came in 1989 and then Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! in 1994. India couldn't believe they could have a market of Rs 100 crore, now you're at Rs 500 crore," he said. Pakistan could have never thought about making more than Rs 50 crore in terms of its film market. " Maula Jatt is now playing at Rs 125 crore (PKR) in Pakistan with 60 cinemas. It's unbelievable," added the distributor, who backed the film via Mandviwalla Entertainment. The Shock And Awe Factor That Unites Sholay And The Legend Of Maula Jatt Besides superb box office performances, what also makes one compare Sholay and The Legend of Maula Jatt is the feeling of shock and awe the audiences were washed by after they watched both the movies when they released. According to Nadeem Mandviwalla, when he released The Legend of Maula Jatt in 2022 in his theatres, " Sholay was the reference" he used while talking about the Pakistani movie. "Bilal Lashari has made two films in Pakistan. One was in 2013, it was called Waar and in 2022, we released The Legend Of Maula Jatt. Both the films were distributed by our company in Pakistan. So, when I saw the film with Bilal, I told him that there are different ways of looking into films. "How the public sees them. There are very few films in the world which create an element which is rare. I told him Waar had an awe factor and that was enough for the people to come to the theatres. It's a very, very rare case in the world where pictures create a shock factor and you can just pinpoint those films in the world where the audience has gone into shock..." When the viewer is shocked by a film, they go silent, added the Karachi-based exhibitor. "You don't say anything because you are unable to digest what you have seen. That it has gone beyond your expectations. Sholay was that. In the interviews, Ramesh Sippy said that in the first week, they thought the picture was a flop so they stopped producing the prints. Then suddenly everything changed... "This is what exactly happened with Maula Jatt. The Pakistani public went into shock (after watching the film) that 'How can Pakistan make a picture of this calibre'. We don't have a market to make a picture of this calibre," he recalled. The Legend Of Maula Jatt - The Reimagining Sholay was set in Ramgarh, a fictional village, and was primarily shot in and around the town of Ramanagara, Karnataka. The Legend of Maula Jatt may be an adaptation of the 1979 Lollywood film Maula Jatt, but unlike its predecessor, the film is not set in Punjab, said Nadeem Mandviwalla. "The brilliance of Bilal Lashari in that film was how he presented those characters 30-40 years later... The original film was all real Punjab. Bilal Lashari's film is no Punjab. It's all fictional. You can't say which Punjab or era is this and that became its biggest beauty. He went into Game of Thrones and Gladiator." It may be a film from across the border but The Legend of Maula Jatt has some similarities with Sholay. Nadeem Mandviwalla came close to releasing the Fawad Khan-starrer in India, his last attempt being October 2, 2024. Sholay released for the first time in Pakistan in 2015 after a generation already watched the film on VCR and TV through re-runs. But Indian audiences are yet to watch The Legend of Maula Jatt in Indian cinemas.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Official trailer drops for new Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed starrer 'Love Guru'
The official trailer for Love Guru has been released, marking the much-anticipated reunion of Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed on the big screen. Directed by Nadeem Baig and penned by Vasay Chaudhry, the romantic comedy is set to premiere on Eid-ul-Azha 2025. Produced by ARY Films and Six Sigma Plus, with Salman Iqbal as the lead producer, Love Guru boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Momina Iqbal, Mira Sethi, Sohai Ali Abro, Ammara Malik, Adnan Shah Tipu, Marina Khan, Annie Zaidi, Usman Peerzada, and Javed Sheikh. The film's teaser showcases picturesque locations in the UK and Pakistan, highlighting the palpable chemistry between the lead pair. Fans have expressed their excitement, with one commenting, 'We should support our own movies. Thank God we have stars like Mahira and Humayun.' Love Guru also marks Mahira Khan's return to cinema after a three-year hiatus, her last appearance being in The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022). The film's poster, shared by director Nadeem Baig, features Mahira in an elegant white dress and Humayun in a sharp suit vest, embracing under a spotlight in a grand, vacant mansion. The scene, sprinkled with soft golden light, hints at a story filled with romance and enchanting music.
Khaleej Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Fawad Khan's Bollywood comeback with Vaani Kapoor explores romance, food, and freedom
Under the soft glow of a high-end lounge at Dubai Mall's Reel Cinemas, away from the earlier frenzy of a press conference packed with influencers, journalists, and fans eager for a glimpse, Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor sat down for a quiet, intimate chat. It was the kind of moment that felt both relaxed and historic—especially considering what it took to get here. Behind the velvet ropes and the spotlight, the atmosphere was meticulous. A list of media dos and don'ts had been circulated well in advance. Questions were to steer clear of controversy, and conversations were expected to remain squarely on the film. The restraint wasn't surprising. After all, Abir Gulaal marks Khan's much-awaited return to Bollywood—nearly a decade since his last Hindi film—and comes at a time when borders between art and politics have only grown more charged. Khan, an actor, singer, and producer with an unwavering fanbase in India, announced his Bollywood comeback earlier in the month, sending social media into a collective swoon. The announcement, according to reports, comes 18 months after an Indian court effectively ruled that the de facto industry ban on Pakistani artists—imposed in 2016—was unlawful. For many, Abir Gulaal isn't just another romantic drama; it is the reopening of possibilities. And yet, when the duo spoke, none of that weight was apparent. They were breezy, candid, and effortlessly charming—much like the film itself. Their latest cinematic outing is a romantic comedy set in the vibrant food scene of London, where Gulaal (played by Kapoor), a free-spirited aspiring chef, finds herself clashing—and eventually connecting—with her uptight restaurateur boss, Abir (played by Khan). 'It felt like a breeze,' Khan said with a soft grin. 'After the intense work I've done in the past few years (The Legend of Maula Jatt, Barzakh), this was light-hearted. Something you come back to, unwind, go to sleep, and not have to think too much. Plus, it's about chefs and restaurants—I love being in the kitchen.' 'Same,' Kapoor nodded. 'I was craving something like this. Gulaal has this childlike quality—I think she's kind of like my alter ego. And of course, working with Fawad was a huge plus. He's so talented.' There's an unmistakable ease between them, both on and off screen. Their characters are cut from different cloths—Abir is reserved and measured; Gulaal is spontaneous and unfiltered. Yet, their chemistry works, perhaps because it draws strength from the tension. 'It's like two worlds collide,' he said. 'And that's what makes it fun,' she added. 'The chemistry wasn't forced. It was very organic.' In a film that orbits around themes of food, freedom, and love, the actors found personal resonance. 'I love food. I consider myself a romantic. And freedom…' Khan paused, weighing his words carefully. 'Let's just say it's something we all aspire to. And in this story, the characters do find their own versions of it.' 'Freedom to love,' Kapoor added thoughtfully, 'should never be restricted. It's a feeling. An emotion. You can't put a rule on that.' Even off-screen, the roles left their mark. 'I think every character leaves behind little nuggets,' he said. 'Abir taught me to be more understanding.' 'Gulaal reminded me to stay curious,' she added. 'She's impulsive and joyful—she reminded me of my younger self.' Of course, it wasn't all introspection. There were laughs too. On who's more likely to burn something in the kitchen, Kapoor cheekily responded, 'The one who enters the kitchen—because I don't!' 'That's a smart answer,' Khan laughed. And if they had to swap lives with their characters? 'It'd be a freaky Friday,' Fawad quipped, deadpan, alluding to the Hollywood body swap comedy that features Lindsay Lohan. Their comfort food? Kapoor swears by dal chawal and rajma chawal. Khan, with the flair of someone unafraid of unpopular opinions, admits, 'Karela. Bitter gourd. I love it.' When it comes to dream restaurants, they got personal. Kapoor would pay tribute to her father's lovingly made kheer (rice pudding), while Khan envisions a space built around mastering the deceptively simple French omelette. 'It's the simplest dish, but one of the hardest to make right. That's what makes it so beautiful.' Dubai, a melting pot of culture and cuisine, proved a fitting backdrop for Abir Gulaal 's pre-release spotlight. The cast and crew, including composer Amit Trivedi, the voice behind the beautiful numbers in the film, were rocking up a stage in Global Village on the weekend. So in a time when politics often threaten to overshadow cinema and its artistry, Abir Gulaal feels like a palate cleanser, as Kapoor rightfully points out to another reporter -- light, flavourful, and surprisingly bold in its quiet return to cross-border storytelling. And in Khan's signature French omelette way—it may be simple, but it's anything but ordinary.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Zhalay irritated by anti-Atif sentiments online
Believe it or not, Atif Aslam's brand new Instagram reel era has stirred up quite the controversy, though his defenders have been just as loud. Following writer Sadiq Saleem's criticism of the singer's recent comedic antics, actor Zhalay Sarhadi took to Instagram to support Atif's fresh stream of content. Zhalay, who often posts humorous content on her own account, wrote, "Why? Why is it that someone has to impose their own personal opinions on others? Whoever this open-letter person is needs to just live and let live. Gen Z, millennial, or whatever. So effing irritating and unnecessary." The Mere Bewafa actor's response comes only a few days after Sadiq penned a thread-post of commentary disapproving Atif's "reel madness" and suggesting alternatives. "Atif, we get it - Gen Z is the hot demographic, but if you really want to win them over, show them your world. Give us your riyaaz sessions, your backstage chaos, your soundchecks, that moment you lose your voice and panic before a concert. Because right now, it's not giving Atif Aslam. It's giving Atif Bhai trying to be a 'content creator'," Sadiq wrote. The writer believes that putting out such reels compromises on the Pehli Nazar Mein singer's "pop star mystique". He made his case by citing other musicians who choose not to hop on trends to keep their audiences engaged. "Atif, you're over 40, a loving father of three, with over two decades of music behind you, multiple state honours to your name, and the most bankable voice in the region. You don't need to chase trends - you are the trend." Sadiq clarified that his intentions weren't malicious and that his comments were only stemming from a place of admiration for the singer's craft. "This isn't coming from a troll or a hater. This is coming from a listener who hasn't missed a single one of your concerts, who still gets goosebumps every time the alaap from Aadat echoes, and who truly believes that you are the biggest audio legend of our time," Sadiq said. "That's exactly why it hurts to see you drift into this space that doesn't do justice to your incredible legacy. Especially when you're an icon." As of late, Atif has taken fans by surprise over his newly developed reel game. For his latest posts, the singer recruited star power, such as The Legend of Maula Jatt director Bilal Lashari and the film's stars Fawad Khan and Faris Shafi, as well as younger musicians Hasan Raheem and Abdul Hannan. Despite the initial shock, netizens quickly warmed up to the change. "Bro is conquering the meme world after conquering music," a user wrote.
Express Tribune
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
WATCH: 'Abir Gulaal' teaser reveals Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor in romantic comedy
Listen to article Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor are set to light up the big screen in the upcoming romantic comedy Abir Gulaal, which has officially set its release date for May 9, 2025. The film, which is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, has also dropped its first teaser, giving audiences a glimpse into its storyline and the chemistry between the two lead stars. The plot of Abir Gulaal is set in London, following the development of a love story with various twists and moments of connection. The film aims to explore themes of romance and personal growth. Fawad Khan, known for his roles in Khoobsurat (2014) and Kapoor & Sons (2016), returns to Bollywood for this project. His recent work includes The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022) and Ms. Marvel (2022). Vaani Kapoor, recognised for her performance in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), plays the female lead. Vaani Kapoor also has roles in the upcoming Netflix series Mandala Murders and the Bollywood film Badtameez Gill. Abir Gulaal is produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens, and Aarjay Pictures. The producers include Vivek B. Agrawal, Avantika Hari, and Rakesh Sippy. The film is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi. The film follows the Bombay High Court's 2023 ruling that dismissed a petition seeking to ban Pakistani artists from working in India.
