The Legend of Maula Jatt to release in China on May 21, 2026

BEIJING: Director Bilal Lashari announced on Monday that his film The Legend of Maula Jatt will be released in cinemas across China on May 21, 2026, marking a significant development for Pakistan’s film industry.

The film is set to become the first Pakistani production to enter China’s tightly controlled film market, where the number of foreign titles allowed theatrical release each year is subject to strict quotas.

Lashari shared the development on X and described it as a new door opening for our stories on the world stage.

The Chinese market is regarded as one of the most restricted for imported films. Hollywood studios have long pushed for broader access to Chinese screens, while The Legend of Maula Jatt has now secured what was described as a wide release after navigating the country’s regulatory process.

Milestone for Pakistani cinema

The film is a reboot of the 1979 cult classic associated with Punjabi cinema’s Gandasa genre. Lashari’s version first premiered in October 2022 and went on to achieve major commercial success, breaking domestic box office records while also drawing critical praise for its action sequences and visual presentation.

The Legend of Maula Jatt centres on the long-running rivalry between Maula Jatt and Noori Natt, portrayed by Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi respectively.

The film’s release in China represents a notable moment not only because of the size of the market, but also because it reflects the entry of a Pakistani cultural production into a space known for limited foreign access.

Different from earlier Pakistani release in China

Pakistan has previously seen a film released in China. The military-themed film Parwaaz Hai Junoon was screened there in 2020, with its release supported by the presence of the jointly developed JF-17 fighter jet.

In contrast, the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt was presented as a success driven by storytelling and cinematic appeal.

Industry experts believe that if the film connects with audiences in China, it could help open the way for more regular creative exchange between Pakistan and China and bring Pakistani stories to a much larger international audience.

The upcoming release adds another international chapter to the film’s run after its original debut in 2022, when it emerged as a major commercial and critical success.