The Legend of Maula Jatt is a perfect representation of the good vs evil phenomenon portrayed in all the cult-classic Lollywood movies, and it brings back nostalgic memories. But it’s not only that. Maula is portrayed as a seeker of revenge, adding a lot of flavor to the plot. It is an adaptation of the 1979 cult classic “Maula Jatt” movie.
Maula Jatt Release Date:
Initial Release: 2019-2020 (delayed due to copyright infringement issues and the COVID-19 pandemic)
Premier Date: 13th October 2022 at Cue Cinemas in Lahore
Worldwide Theatrical Release Date: 13th October 2022
Overview/Storyline:
The film’s opening scene depicts the sneaky attack made on the Jatt family in their house. Despite the Jatt family being larger in number, they are overpowered due to the attack being unprovoked, and Sardar Jatt, along with his wife and everyone else, is killed. The sole survivor, the son of Sardar Jatt, Maula becomes an orphan but is taken in by a woman named Daani.
Later on, Mooda, who is the actual son of Daani, takes Maula to his wrestling coach, who is immediately impressed by Maula’s attitude and agrees to teach him. Skipping ahead a few years, Maula grows up to be a famous wrestler, but his unknown past continues to haunt him through violent patches of nightmares.
On the other end, the Natt clan’s younger son, Makkha Natt, terrorizes the village of Maula by abducting a girl he then molests several times in his haveli. Jeeva Natt, the Sardar, declares that he will be retiring due to old age and appointing someone else as the clan’s leader. But Daaro Natt, his daughter, objects to his declaration and says that only Noori Natt, the elder son, who is imprisoned due to his killing addiction, can become the leader of the clan.
Before one of Maula’s customary wrestling fights, he is stopped by an old man who says he has the answers to Maula’s questions. He also asks Maula to meet him later at the ruins of the Sardar Jatt Haveli. That night, for the first time, Maula loses a match but is aided by Mooda, who saves him. The next day, Maula meets the man in the ruins of the Sardar Jatt Haveli. As the old man waited for Maula to arrive, he explained that Maula was the son of Sardar Jatt. The old man then hands Maula his father’s “Gandasa” (battle axe).
Maula returns to his village only to find out that the Natt clan is terrorizing them again. In a blind rage, Maula kills all the men of the Natt clan. Afterward, when Maakha comes to inspect the outcome of the terrorizing party, he finds himself humiliated and defeated by Maula.
Makkah returns home with his head full of revenge, and his sister, Daroo, incensed upon hearing what happened, verbally abuses him and, before she can take his life, drives him to his death via suicide. Now, the Natt clan, in rage, tries to avenge the humiliation they had to bear while Maula ensures that justice and peace reign in his village. Finally, Noori Natt gets out of jail and tells the jailor that he has run out of worthy opponents to fight against.
On the other hand, upon everyone’s terrified request, Maula agrees to apologize to the raging Natt clan. Upon Maula’s departure, Noori searches the village for Maula and discovers from Mooda that Maula is the one who humiliates his clan. His obsession takes over him, and he beats Mooda to death.
Maula arrives at his village and finds Maula dead. Emotion overtakes him as he swears to kill Noori. Maula goes straight to the Natt haveli but is captured by them, and Jeeva Natt is killed by his elder son, Noori. Noori right then declares his sister, Daroo, to be the clan leader, but her clan betrays her and kills her without his knowledge.
Taking that chance, Maula also escapes. Upon finding his sister dead, Noori races to the village of Maula and burns it down while capturing everyone. Maula also arrives at the village but is met by Noori, which leads to a dynamic fight-to-death battle.
In the end, Noori is killed, and Maula is again the sole survivor. And with his revenge complete, he is declared the village’s hero.
Director/Cast:
The film was directed and written by the one and only Bilal Lashari, whose debut film “Waar” (2013) was the highest-grossing film at the time of release 2013 in Pakistan.
The Cast Includes:
- Fawad Khan as the star, Maula Jatt.
- Hamza Ali Abbasi as the evil leader, Noori Natt.
- Mahira Khan as the village belle and Maula’s lover, Mukhoo Jattni
- Humaima Malik as the opposing female lead, Daaro Nattni
- Gohar Rasheed as Maakha Natt
- Faris Shafi as Mooda
- Shafqat Cheema as Jeeva Natt
- Saima Baloch as Rajjo
- Nayyer Ejaz as Jagoo Natt
- Ali Azmat as Gogi
- Babar Ali as Maula’s father, Sardar Jatt
- Resham as Maula’s mother, Malika Jatt
- Zia Khan as the loyalist of Sardar Jatt, Ali
- Raheela Agha is Mooda’s mother, and Maula Jatt’s foster mother, Daani
- Kamran Lashari as Narrator
Project Cost:
This film swept the board with a record-breaking amount of $4.6 million spent on the project. Why is it a record breaker? Because in Lollywood, the biggest produced films had a budget of less than $1.5 million. The film has set a new benchmark for future Lollywood films to come.
Revenue/Business Timeline and Figures:
As of 6th November 2022, the film has broken numerous box office records since its release on October 13th. The Legend of Maula Jatt has grossed $5.3+ million in just one week of its release. It has become the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time, alongside being the third highest-grossing Pakistani movie of all time and the only Pakistani movie to have crossed the 100 crore milestone.
It has grossed over $6.78 million worldwide. The film kicked off at the 9th rank at the box office internationally with a record of $355k from the United Kingdom. Overseas, it reached no.1 in UAE with over $515k on opening. The film grossed $290K and $235K in the US and Canada, respectively, and $160,000 in Australia, opening at the no.6 rank in both US and Canada. All in all, the film debuted at $1.7 million in the overseas opening, the highest record ever for a Pakistani film!
FAQ:
1. Who is the producer of the movie?
The film was produced by Ammara Hikmat and Dr. Asad Jamil Khan under the production banner of Lashari Films and Encyclomedia.
2. What is the IMDb rating of the movie?
The current IMDb rating of the movie is 8.9/10
3. Is the movie available on Netflix?
No, the movie is not available on any streaming platforms.
4. Is the Legend a true story?
No, it isn’t. The movie was inspired by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi’s short story “Gandasa” which tells us
5. Has the movie been released in India?
Yes, the movie was released worldwide theatrically on October 13th, 2022.
Conclusion:
Needless to say, Bilal Lashari absolutely kicked it out of the box with this movie. The VFX, the cinematography, and the beautiful portrayal of the violence, etc, make it a captivating watch for sure. Once you begin the movie, you can’t but help watch it till the end because it grasps your attention in a certain manner of wanting to know what happens next.
The actors and their commitment to the roles purely shone through with their well-delivered dialogues, costumes, and demeanor making the movie a true masterpiece. “The Legend of Maula Jatt” movie will leave Pakistan’s/Lollywood’s mark on the world.
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