amza Ali Abbasi (HAA) is on his way to dubbing somewhere in Lahore. The actor - who is essaying the chief antagonist, the very savage Noori Nath in the magnum opus, The Legend of Maula Jatt - seems to be in good spirits. He answers a torrent of questions right up to the moment he reaches his destination, ready to get to work.

Having been absent from the screen for a while, Hamza Ali Abbasi, who was once the most provocative actor in showbusiness because of his views, is no longer its most controversial child. He laughingly admits that there are others who have stepped up to that task, while he is on a path to gain knowledge and impart it to others.

That said, during this conference with Hamza online as other journalists were joining in, the actor greeted everyone in a jovial manner before answering questions.

Where Hrithik Roshan expressed positive views after Mahira Khan’s poster for The Legend of Maula Jatt released, it has been reported that India’s most coveted director, Rajkumar Hirani, has also called the production a “big film”.

Anurag Kashyap is also looking forward to the film as she shared views online.

While anticipation for the Pakistani film increases, Hamza observes that as an actor he is hopeful for positive reception.

“Things are looking hopeful. We’re very optimistic so let’s see, insha Allah,” he says as the film is finally in ready, set, go mode.

“We are only as strong as we are united

as weak as we are divided.”

– From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Posed with questions on how it feels to return to the big screen after announcing that he was distancing himself from the industry, Hamza explains that while he did take a long break due to educating himself and learning what has been misinterpreted in society, he hasn’t dismissed a career in showbusiness.

“It’s always been my focus to do good work and being selective. I’ll work within a specified circle that I have set for myself.”

Hamza reiterated that he is hopeful about The Legend of Maula Jatt because apart from being the most expensive film produced in Pakistan, it’s also huge in terms of scale. “It will set a milestone for other films. I’m not only hopeful for our film but how it will impact the industry at large and how others might take risks post this film.”

What is clear is just how much The Legend of Maula Jatt is being touted as “a game-changer” for the industry. This begs the question: how can one film rewrite cinematic culture because consistency is what is needed. With the film being hailed as the saviour of cinema, how much pressure has it put on the Maula Jatt team and HAA in particular as an actor?

Agreeing in the affirmative, HAA admits, “Absolutely, it does put pressure, but to be honest, it takes a lot of guts to make such a film, so when the pressure comes, there’s also a way to deal with it. God helps out.”

Hamza says that he is hopeful about The Legend of Maula Jatt because apart from being the most expensive film produced in Pakistan, it’s also huge in terms of scale. “It will set a milestone for other films. I’m not   only hopeful for our film but how it will impact the industry at large and how others might take risks after its release.”

“Having said that, there is already cinematic history associated with these characters. Other actors: Sultan Rahi sahab, Mustafa Qureshi sahab, are part of the narrative built with these characters. They have essayed these roles in the past so as an actor, you do feel the pressure because there are so many benchmarks already set.”

How has HAA been handling the pressure, then?

“You do learn to handle the pressure. If you do a project like this, you just gain the ability to handle it. We’ve become a bit immune, so we don’t feel it as much anymore including the director, Bilal Lashari.”

Essaying the role of Noori Nath, the antagonist in the film, Hamza admits that the physical transformation needed for this role was more rigorous than getting into character. “It includes long hair, a long beard, there was a lot of makeup involved so it would take me about an hour and a half to transform into the get-up of Noori. That did take a toll because shooting in Lahore where the heat can be harsh was challenging.”

However, getting into the skin of the character, corrosive as he may be, was not as daunting. “Mustafa Qureshi – thankfully - had provided the basic mannerisms of Noori. I already had a base in place, and I built upon it. But getting in and out of a character is easy for me. I’m not one of those actors who need to live the character. As soon as the director says cut, I’m back to myself. I can play contradictory roles like the positive role in Parwaaz Hai Junoon to Noori Nath in The Legend of Maula Jatt because I know when I’m in character and when I’m not.”

“Que sera, sera

Whatever will be, will be

The future’s not ours to see

Que sera, sera.“

– ‘Que Sera Sera’ by Doris Day and Frank De Vol

Playing an antagonist in this day and age is not necessarily a bad thing if you get it right. Is Noori Nath purely a black and white character or does he have grey aspects?

Hamza explains that irrespective of what he looks like, Noori is not a binary character and there are shades of grey to him. “He’s not evil or bad in the traditional way, but yes, he is corrupt for power and it falls on the audience to interpret those attributes as good or bad.”

The physical transformation of Hamza Ali Abbasi is one thing, but one has to wonder how tough the gladiatoresque fight scenes between Maula and Noori actually were.

“It was very tough,” Hamza says, “Fight sequences are usually tough but when getups are involved, they can become very difficult. Even with Fawad, he had long hair and facial hair and hats off to the makeup/get-up team.”

Hamza explains that during some fight scenes, his hair would fall off and the Maram/Abroo duo always saved the day. “They would be ready on set to come and do the touchup with the hair and glue,” he said. “It was uncomfortable [being in that getup] and then doing the fight scenes.”

Addressing a question about storyline, the actor confesses how the film is a about a clash between good and evil. “Principles vs. greed is something that has existed in every society. That makes the film relevant.

However, it is not set in a historical era or the modern age. “It is set in a neutral time with no specificity to the era it belongs to.”

HAA went on to explain that whether it’s this film or a film like Batman vs. The Joker, such themes are always relevant to people and can provide a lesson.”

The Legend of Maula Jatt is directed by Bilal Lashari and produced by Ammara Hikmat under the joint venture of Encyclomedia & Lashari films, in association with AAA Motion Pictures. The filmmakers have partnered with Geo Films as their exhibiting partner, which is not just the largest media group in the country but also a vital contributor to the revival of cinema in Pakistan. The Legend of Maula Jatt will be locally distributed by Nadeem Mandviwalla of Mandviwalla Entertainment (who is well-known for his contribution to cinema). On the international front, the film will be distributed by MovieGoers Entertainment.

– The Legend of Maula Jatt    is scheduled to release on    October 13, 2022.