Pakistan’s internationally acclaimed blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt has achieved another major milestone on the global cinema stage, becoming the first Pakistani film to receive recognition at the Jackie Chan International Action Film Week in China.
The Bilal Lashari-directed action epic won two major honors — the Special Jury Award and the Best Art Direction Award — at the 7th edition of the prestigious festival held in Harbin, China.
The achievement marks a significant moment for Pakistani cinema, as it is the first time a Pakistani motion picture has been recognized or awarded at the internationally acclaimed action film festival.
Director Bilal Lashari attended the festival alongside international distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla, his wife, and the film’s Chinese representative Yuejiao Hao.
Recognition for Visual Scale and Production Design
Released as a contemporary reboot of the 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt, The Legend of Maula Jatt has earned international attention for its distinctive visual style, elaborate world-building, visual effects and large-scale action sequences.
The Best Art Direction Award particularly recognizes the film’s expansive visual aesthetic and detailed production design, which transformed a legendary piece of Pakistani folklore into a cinematic world designed for a contemporary international audience.
For Lashari, the recognition represents not only a personal achievement but also the collective efforts of the film’s cast and crew.
“To represent Pakistan on a global stage like the Jackie Chan International Action Film Week is an incredible honor in itself, but to walk away with two major awards is surreal,” Lashari said, adding that the recognition belongs to the entire cast and crew who devoted years of work and craftsmanship to the film.
Distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla described the achievement as a bridge between Pakistani cinema and international audiences, particularly the rapidly developing Chinese film market.
According to Mandviwalla, the awards demonstrate that Pakistani stories can connect with audiences beyond the country when presented with a strong and uncompromising cinematic vision.
A Significant Moment for Pakistani Cinema
Founded by international martial arts icon Jackie Chan, the Jackie Chan International Action Film Week celebrates achievements in action filmmaking, stunt choreography and technical artistry from around the world.
The recognition for The Legend of Maula Jatt therefore represents an important international acknowledgment of Pakistan’s growing capabilities in large-scale action filmmaking and technical production.
For a film rooted deeply in Pakistani folklore and cinematic tradition to receive two awards at an international action film event in China further underlines the growing potential of Pakistani cinema to reach audiences and industry platforms beyond its traditional markets.
