BEIJING, May 23 (INP): Pakistani filmmaker Bilal Lashari, in Beijing for the Chinese premiere of The Legend of Maula Jatt, described the experience as unexpectedly emotional and deeply personal, highlighting the strong audience response and cultural warmth he received in China.

Lashari said he has attended multiple international premieres in cities including Lahore and Doha but admitted he “thought he knew what to expect” before the Beijing screening.

However, he noted that the reception in China was unlike anything he had experienced before, according to a Gwadar Pro's report.

The filmmaker shared that it has been nearly four years since the film’s original release in Pakistan and that he had already moved on to new projects, adding that this international release felt connected to a “past chapter” of his career.

Reflecting on the Beijing event, he said the response from Chinese media, industry representatives, and audiences was not merely professional or polite but marked by “genuine warmth” and appreciation for the film itself, rather than for its surrounding context or fame.

He contrasted this with the reception in Pakistan, where the film’s success is intertwined with star power, anticipation, and industry narratives.

In Beijing, he noted, audiences came with limited prior knowledge, which made their reaction feel more direct and authentic.

Lashari emphasized that the experience reinforced his belief in the power of cinema, saying that no digital platform or algorithm can replace the shared experience of watching a film in a cinema hall with strangers.

He also paid tribute to the film’s cast and crew, as well as producer Ammara Hikmat, stating that their contributions were central to the film’s success and deserved recognition on stage in Beijing.

The Legend of Maula Jatt was released across China on May 21, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of China–Pakistan diplomatic relations, marking a symbolic cultural milestone between the two countries.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China