Shaz Khan‘s feature “The Martial Artist” has locked its global theatrical rollout, with North American and U.K. audiences getting their first look on April 4, following Eid celebrations, it was revealed on the sidelines of Hong Kong FilMart.

The film will debut in Pakistan on March 30 and later in MENA territories on May 8, with additional global dates to be confirmed. The sports drama stars Khan in the lead role of Ibby “The Prince” Bakran, an ambitious MMA fighter whose meteoric rise is derailed by his own excesses. When his fighting career begins to crumble, a family revelation sends him on a journey to Pakistan to connect with his estranged grandfather and confront his deepest truths.

“MMA provided a compelling lens to explore these themes, especially given its global popularity yet relative absence in cinema,” Khan said about his choice of setting. “Beyond the familiar hero’s journey of self-discovery and redemption, I saw an opportunity to weave in cultural reclamation and Eastern philosophy through the mentor archetype.”

Khan, who directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Ross Albert, emphasized that the film explores themes beyond the octagon. “The message at the heart of ‘The Martial Artist’ is that true mastery — whether in fighting or in life — comes not from brute force or ambition alone, but from alignment with one’s deepest truths,” he stated.

The film features an ensemble cast including Sanam Saeed, Babar Peerzada, Thesa Loving and Faran Tahir. Tahir also serves as one of the producers alongside Khan, Will Lurié, Shiraz Khan, Faisal Rehman and Faraz Khan.

“This film is about more than MMA — it’s about what happens when we strip everything away and confront who we really are,” Khan said. “It’s about honoring the past while forging a new path. It’s about redemption, not through victory alone, but through understanding what truly matters.”