Karachi

The Legend of Maula Jatt has released. Fans and critics seem happy with the final outcome. Prior to its release, as the film’s writer, director, producer and chief cast worked the press circuit around the country, director, cinematographer and writer Bilal Lashari took out time to talk to Instep. Watching the man, it became obvious that he was perfectly happy letting the actors take the lead during one such event, held at Koel Cafe in Karachi.

But when asked questions, he was just as driven to explain the ideas behind the film, a reboot of the cult classic but presented in technically superior and visual fashion.

Dismissing some of our preconceived notions about the possibility of an inflated ego, Bilal Lashari is the exact opposite in person. The man who wore many hats for The Legend of Maula Jatt was also a study in decorum even when swamped by people, waiting for a quote or volleying questions at him.

Whatever the situation, Bilal Lashari, the director of Pakistan’s most expensive film thus far, has no airs and came across as one of the most approachable directors to emerge from these heady revival-of-cinema days. Before this magnum opus, he worked with Shoaib Mansoor as assistant director for Khuda Kay Liye briefly, and also made a few music videos, before making a mark with the most profitable film of the year 2013 with action/thriller Waar.

2022 and The Legend of Maula Jatt are different. It is not a film aiming for a select market such as the UK, the USA, U.A.E, and Pakistan. The international market where The Legend of Maula Jatt is heading includes countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Norway, with plans to release it in China in the future as well.

As people roam around the otherwise peaceful Koel Cafe, when Bilal is asked a question, he gives candid answers.

Bilal explains that the birth of a global pandemic was among reasons why the film didn’t release earlier.

He also explains that his decision to cast high profile actors like Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick among others, wasn’t based on friendship. The decision to cast them boiled down to whether they could act, and they could. “You want to work with people who know their craft. They just happened to be friends. If they were not good actors, I wouldn’t have cast them.”

Punjabi is the language in which the film has been made and while subtitles in Urdu and English will follow, Bilal isn’t worried about language being any sort of barrier.

“It’s the kind of film that will be understood whether you know Punjabi or not. There will be shows with Urdu and English subtitles so that should help people who like to read subtitles.”

While the film has reached its final destination and is now running in cinemas, Bilal Lashari hasn’t reached closure with the film.

The timing of the release of the film was also designed in a way that it didn’t clash with the bundle of films that arrive during Eid holidays.

According to Bilal Lashari, “Humaima Malick, Mahira Khan, Faris Shafi, Ali Azmat, Nayyar Ejaz, Shafqat Cheema are the big surprises in the film. I think once people see the film, they will remember characters beyond Maula Jatt and Noori Nath.”

Bilal explains that one of the first actors he approached for the film was Hamza Ali Abbasi. “It’s not just that he’s very talented, but he was with me since day one.”

Bilal Lashari is an astute storyteller. He isn’t looking at just the audience of Humsafar,he says, taking a minute before answering the question of the year. “I’m looking at the grand scheme of things. But, at the same time keeping in mind that there is a lot of interest in these two: Fawad and Mahira.” 

Bilal Lashari’s association with the present Maula Jatt (Fawad Khan) goes back a long time. Aside from Khuda Kay Liye, he worked with the actor in Mekaal Hasan Band’s brilliant music video (based on the idea of seven deadly sins) called ‘Chal Bulleya’. They also worked together for an EP music video called ‘Shor Macha’ before the band became defunct. A bond was already in place.

“People see Fawad [Khan] as a romantic hero or chocolate hero or whatever the terms are. But I feel like a good looking actor can also be pigeonholed to this genre. I’ve always felt that Fawad is a very versatile actor. He had the potential to play this aggressive action film hero. I picked up on it when I did the music video for ‘Chal Bulleya’. And over the years he’s been a friend. I felt there is some controlled, nuanced aggression in him that can translate well to the big screen.

This was never a question of who’d play Maula Jatt. It was also about who’d play the role of Noori Natt because there is a ying-yang dynamic. They, as the cliche goes, complete each other. Their screen chemistry was very important, so it had to be a combination [that worked]. And I felt like there couldn’t have been a better pairing. In my head, it was exciting because I, as audience, would like to see them paired up against each other.”

The Legend of Maula Jatt is primarily about these two characters but in terms of supporting actors, the addition of Mahira Khan does mean – some, if not all – expect a kind of intimacy between Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, even as the latter is featured in a supporting category. It’s not exactly a love story between the two. For that, we have to wait till next year with Khan’s home production, Nilofar.

However, within the world of The Legend of Maula Jatt, how did Bilal tackle this particular demand and meet this expectation?

Bilal Lashari is an astute storyteller. He isn’t looking at just the audience of Humsafar, he says, taking a minute before answering the question of the year. “I’m looking at the grand scheme of things. But, at the same time keeping in mind that there is a lot of interest in these two: Fawad and Mahira.

They weren’t cast because there is interest. They look good together and work well together so that in itself is the reason for casting them. They were not cast based on the result of their previous work. Yes, it’s a dark action film but because of that, the brief moments of quiet intimacy provide a nice palette cleanser.”

As Bilal Lashari, did want to manage expectations, so the trailer was also cut in a certain way, but the trailer, he says, cannot prepare the audience for what is in the film. “It’s very fresh and original because there is no precedent to this type of film. It will be an engaging and intense experience for the audience. Some of them will even feel a little shocked because it is so different from what they’re expecting. People will be pleasantly surprised.”

Bilal notes that it will take time for many to absorb this film. But until they do, he does plan to sneak into cinemas without making any commotion to see how the audience is reacting to the film.

– The Legend Of Maula Jatt is directed by Bilal Lashari and produced by Ammara Hikmat under the joint venture of Encyclomedia and Lashari films, in association with AAA Motion Pictures. The filmmakers have partnered with Geo Films as their exhibiting partner, which is not just the largest media group in the country but also a vital contributor to the revival of cinema in Pakistan. The Legend of Maula Jatt will be locally distributed by Nadeem Mandviwalla of Mandviwalla Entertainment, known for his contribution to cinema. On the international front, the film will be distributed by MovieGoers Entertainment.