Bilal Lashari‘s directorial venture, Maula Jatt seems to be pulled into controversy once again! Maula Jatt was set to be released on 13th October. However, due to the conflict of jacked-up ticket prices, out of 122, 50 of the main multi-plex screens have not released a schedule yet including two of Karachi‘s biggest cinema chains, Nueplex and Cineplex.
The Conflict
The unfair distribution of movie pricing is the main point of contention between the film producer, distributor, and cinema house owners. According to the film distributors, the pricing of the tickets has to be raised for the first 11 days of the release, which has been rejected by the cinema house owners.
As per Samaa news Tariq Mehboob, Chief Financial Officer of Cinepax cinemas, Pakistan’s largest cinema chain, said that the negotiations are underway with the film distributor and producer and the matters will be settled soon. He hopes that these matters will be settled soon so that the film would get full house shows.
What Is The Entertainment Fraternity Saying?
Director Wajahat Rauf took to his Instagram to express his thoughts on the current conflict. He said “70 percent cinemas not playing The Legend Of Maula Jatt. This is bizarre, sad and cruel. “
Actor Syed Jibran took to Twitter and talked about the deadlock happening between between distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla and officials of Cinepax cinemas and Nueplex.
According to Jibran, instead of increasing the price, it should’ve been reduced to Rs800 instead of Rs1,200 or more so that revenues “go through the roof.”
He then went on to say that “screens in Pakistan almost 50 of the main multiplex screens havent released any schedule of the film today which is the most important trend setting first day of the film. Very bad decision making from the distributors of the film indeed. The problem should be resolved”
Actress Amar Khan called out the responsible parties and requested them to not deprive the audiences of this film, she said ” saw this film last night in Capri as only two cinemas in Karachi are playing Pakistan’s biggest film to date.What if khiladi homeground pe innings khele bagair hi direct worldcup jeet ayein. “Ais Maulay nu maaran laye Cine-Ma nai Cine-Pyo bulana paway ga”.Please dont deprive the audience from watching such a Mammoth film on Cinema’s Bara Parda.”
According to DAWN, Currently, the film is being screened at six theatres in Lahore — Cue, Chalo, Gulistan, Shabistan, Prince and Universal cinemas. It is being screen at two cinemas in Gujranwala, Opera and Prince cinemas, two in Multan, Universal and Dreamland cinemas, two in Sialkot, Opera and Parwana cinemas, Islamabad’s Centaurus Cineplex, Gujrat’s Faisal Cinemas, Sargodha’s IMGC Multiplex and in Mandi Bahauddin. It is also only being screened at Atrium Cinemas in Karachi.
Nueplex Cinemas, made an announcement earlier today saying, “As a cornerstone of our film exhibition policy, Nueplex Cinemas has always been at the forefront when it comes to screening Pakistani films,” the statement, shared on Nueplex’s Twitter handle, read. “Over the years, a number of box office records have also been set due to the business we have generated for local films.”
They further stated that ,”We feel that it is highly unfortunate that the distributor of the title, The Legend of Maula Jatt asking for exhibition terms which are out of industry norms. Such rigid terms cannot be afforded by exhibitors, especially during times of economic instability.”
Furthermore, Nueplex shared, “We were hoping for a fairer approach in the future, as we are always here to welcome and screen any Pakistani film with open arms.”
We certainly do hope that the matter gets resolved ASAP so that more and more people can witness the cinematic masterpiece!
Let us know if you have watched it!
