Bullah (Urdu: بُلّھا) is a 2026 Pakistani Punjabi-language action film directed by Shoaib Khan and written by Nasir Adeeb. Produced by Shake Films and distributed by HKC Entertainment, the film stars Shaan Shahid in the title role, alongside Sara Loren, Saleem Sheikh, Naeema Butt, Adnan Butt, Ali Josh and Maham Mirza.[2][3]
| Bullah | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| بُلّھا | |
| Directed by | Shoaib Khan |
| Written by | Nasir Adeeb |
| Produced by | Shakeel Khan |
| Starring | Shaan Shahid Sara Loren Saleem Sheikh Naeema Butt Adnan Butt Ali Josh Maham Mirza |
Production company | Shake Films |
| Distributed by | HKC Entertainment |
Release date |
|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Punjabi |
| Box office | Rs. 17.84 crore (US$640,000)[1] |
The film was released in Pakistan during Eid al-Fitr 2026.[2] It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for some performances, songs and technical elements, while criticism was directed at its screenplay, characterisation and reliance on older Lollywood action conventions.[4][5][6]
Plot
editBullah follows its title character, a man who confronts organised crime and injustice across Punjab. Guided by the philosophical teachings associated with his father, Bullah rescues people targeted by violent gangs and becomes involved in a conflict with criminal networks led by Faqeera, Bakshi and Shahu.[7][4]
Sophia, an undercover operative and Bullah's romantic interest, joins him as he takes on Bakshi and Shahu while protecting displaced and vulnerable people. The film presents Bullah as a modern action hero whose struggle is framed around resistance, faith, dignity and social justice.[7][4]
Cast
edit- Shaan Shahid as Bullah
- Sara Loren as Sophia
- Saleem Sheikh as Bakshi
- Naeema Butt as Faqeera
- Adnan Butt as Shahu
- Ali Josh
- Maham Mirza
- Asif Khan[5]
Production
editBullah was directed by Shoaib Khan and written by Nasir Adeeb. Pre-release coverage described the film as a contemporary Punjabi action story rooted in Punjab's culture and spiritual traditions.[3] The film was promoted as being inspired by themes associated with the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, including resistance to injustice and oppression.[8]
The project marked Shaan Shahid's return to Punjabi cinema after a long interval.[9] It also reunited Shahid and Saleem Sheikh on screen nearly three decades after their previous appearance together.[3]
Release
editBullah was released in Pakistani cinemas during Eid al-Fitr 2026, alongside other local releases including Aag Lagay Basti Mein and Delhi Gate.[2] Before release, Dawn reported that the film was listed with a parental guidance caution by at least one cinema.[2]
In May 2026, The Express Tribune reported that the film was set to receive its world television premiere during Eid al-Adha.[7]
Reception
editBox office
editAccording to Pakistani Cinema, Bullah earned Rs. 2.36 crore at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. The same report stated that Shake Films reported a five-day total of Rs. 8.91 crore, and that the film earned Rs. 1.33 crore from major overseas markets including the United Kingdom, North America and the United Arab Emirates.[10]
NDTV India later reported that the film had grossed Rs. 17.84 crore worldwide, including collections from Pakistan, the GCC, North America, Canada and the United Kingdom. The report also stated that the film had helped revive business for single-screen cinemas in Punjab.[1]
Box Office Mojo listed no domestic gross for the film and reported an international gross of $44,431 from tracked overseas markets. Its territory breakdown listed $26,530 from the United Arab Emirates, $16,415 from the United Kingdom and $1,486 from Australia.[11]
Critical response
editMohammad Kamran Jawaid of Images criticised the film's narrative structure, writing that it left unanswered questions about Bullah, Sophia and the villains. He said the premise combined older Lollywood action traditions with contemporary Hollywood-style action, but found the action basic and artificial. Jawaid praised Asrad Khan's cinematography, the songs "Lajpalan" and "Wekhi Kithay", and Naeema Butt's performance as Faqeera, while writing that Shaan Shahid held the film together despite its weaknesses.[4]
Writing for Youlin Magazine, Muhammad Suhayb described Bullah as ambitious but inconsistent. He wrote that the film attempted to combine stylised action with philosophical themes inspired by Bulleh Shah, but criticised its overcrowded narrative, weak characterisation and underdeveloped subplots. Suhayb praised the action choreography by Azam Bhatti and said the songs contributed to the film's appeal.[5]
Yousuf Mehmood of Pakistani Cinema gave a negative review, calling the film outdated and clichéd. He singled out Naeema Butt as the film's strongest element and said the action set pieces showed some creativity, but criticised the screenplay, sound design and Shaan Shahid's underwritten role.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 Kashyap, Anand (31 March 2026). Bullah Box Office Collection: भारत में धुरंधर 2 का जलवा तो लियारी टाउन वाले पाकिस्तान में झंडे गाड़ रही 'बुल्लाह', फिल्म का रिकॉर्ड तोड़ कलेक्शन [Bullah Box Office Collection: Pakistani film Bullah earns more than Rs. 17 crore at the worldwide box office]. NDTV India (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Salman, Peerzada (20 March 2026). "Three Pakistani films set to hit cinema screens on Eid". Dawn. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Shaan Shahid returns this Eidul Fitr with Punjabi action film Bullah". The News on Sunday. 8 February 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Jawaid, Mohammad Kamran (30 March 2026). "You won't find a better example of a good Pakistani film than Aag Lagay Basti Mein — Bullah is another story". Images. Dawn. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Suhayb, Muhammad (16 April 2026). "Movie Review: Bullah". Youlin Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 Mehmood, Yousuf (28 March 2026). "Bullah Movie Review: Shoaib Khan's Film is Outdated and Clichéd". Pakistani Cinema. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Shaan Shahid's Bullah to make TV premiere this Eidul Azha". The Express Tribune. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Ghaffar, Tehreem (29 March 2026). "Bullah positions itself as more than action film, sparks debate nationwide". The Nation. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "بُلّھا: شان کی پنجابی فلم میں 12 سال بعد واپسی، 'دانشور اور سرحدوں کے محافظ ابھی تک صرف جنگی ساز و سامان پر بھروسہ کرتے ہیں'". BBC Urdu (in Urdu). 23 March 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Mehmood, Yousuf (28 March 2026). "Aag Lagay Basti Mein and Bullah Worldwide Box Office: Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Breaks Records". Pakistani Cinema. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Bullah". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 28 May 2026.