ISLAMABAD 14 Oct (Online): Pakistani cinema’s grandest offer, The Legend
of Maula Jatt, has been released after a decade-long wait. There’s a lot of blood and sweat that went into the making of Bilal Lashari’s magnum opus. Touted as the most expensive project in the Pakistani film industry, The Legend of Maula Jatt is set in the fantastical land of Punjab, with crucial attention to detail.
From larger-than-life sets to impeccable costume designs, the crew behind The Legend of Maula Jatt was just as imperative as the cast to breathe life into Lashari’s lifelong dream. Now, designer Fahad Hussyn is spilling the beans on what went on behind the scenes.
“The Legend of Maula Jatt is not a film, it’s a trajectory, thanks to the vision of Bilal Lashari and the generous production of Ammara Hikmat and Asad J Khan,” the couturier shared on Instagram. “This project housed, nurtured and provided artists an opportunity to show the world that we have the talent, we just need to be trusted with it.”
He went on to add, “It was truly an honour to be a part of this project and today I want to thank all the special people I saw working day and night, jumping hoops to make all this happen!”
Adding how proud he is of the fruition of tiring days, Hussyn shared, “I’m extremely proud to have shared this historic moment in Pakistani cinema with you. In these hard times, we all need a good sense of belonging. So this is it, Maula Jutt belongs to all of us. Please go watch and support your people and your industry. We earned it hard and square!”
Commending the hardworking team, Hussyn added, “Here’s to the people behind this masterpiece; Sameer Shami is the most hardworking Assistant Director in the industry, the most organised person who kept us all on schedule. Namsa Abbasi and Hamza Bajwa, who brought the production to life, were often found just living on set to get things right, the backdrops, sets and accessories designed for every character breathed life into the story.”
He further shared, “Maram and Aabroo and their team’s commitment to this project towards creating flawless hair and makeup looks, matching continuity down to immaculate details, SFX makeup, bloodwork and the wear and tear for action. My wardrobe teams! that kept up with my crazy production demands and finishes, learned and dyed things on set for me! Hira and Maya, your hard work will always inspire me. My assistants who kept up with my details for the lead costumes for the entire span of the film, the clothes, accessories, shoes, and turbans including the on-set assistance, Saima, Beenish, Usman, Nauman and Sana everyone on the team this film truly belongs to you.”
Previously, in an interview with The Express Tribune Lashari sang praises of his set designers, Abbasi, Bajwa, Maram and Aabroo with Assistant director, Shami and alongside costume designers, Hussyn and Zara Shahjahan.
“Everyone did so much research for the sets, for costumes from the 16th century Punjab. A lot of times, we would realise that it’s not us but Hollywood who has been copying us! They have all these references which they took from us. But because we haven’t explored [our potential], it feels as though we are taking ideas from them. In reality, it all comes back to the East, the land of Maula Jatt,” he had said.
A reboot of Yunus Malik’s 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt, the film is a re-telling of the story of the rivalry between Maula Jatt and Noori Natt.
Directed by Lashari, The Legend of Maula Jatt stars Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick, Mirza Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi, Ali Azmat, Nayyer Ejaz, Shafqat Cheema, Raheela Agha, Zia Khan and Saima Baloch.
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