Islamabad, August 14, 2026: Pakistani blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt has won two awards at the seventh Jackie Chan International Action Film Week in China, marking another major international recognition for the country’s film industry.
Directed by Bilal Lashari, the acclaimed action film received the Special Jury Award and the Best Art Direction Award at the closing ceremony of the festival.
Lashari announced the achievement on Instagram, describing the recognition alongside films including Mortal Kombat 2 and The Furious as an “incredible” moment.
Recalling the awards ceremony, the director said the awards were presented on an outdoor stage amid heavy rain. He said he was completely drenched by the time he reached the microphone, while a stranger held an umbrella over him.
Lashari said the Best Art Direction award was particularly meaningful as it recognised the work of production designers Nimsah Abbasi and Hamza Bajwa, who were responsible for creating the film’s distinctive visual world.
The director also described representing Pakistan at an event named after legendary action star Jackie Chan as a dream come true, recalling that he had grown up watching Chan’s films.
Meeting Chan in person and receiving congratulations from the international action-film icon was an experience Lashari said he could never have imagined when he began working on The Legend of Maula Jatt.
He thanked producer Ammara Hikmat and the wider team for their continued support throughout the film’s journey in China and dedicated the latest international recognition to Pakistan.
A reboot of the 1979 cult classic, The Legend of Maula Jatt features Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick, Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi and Ali Azmat in key roles.
The film, which has already earned widespread international acclaim, continues to strengthen the global profile of Pakistani cinema, with its latest awards highlighting the country’s growing presence on the international action-film circuit.
