- Thursday, April 24, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
In the wake of national mourning and widespread anger following the tragic terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the release of the Bollywood film Abir Gulaal—starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor—has been halted in India. The movie was scheduled to hit theatres on May 9 but will now not see a release in the country, according to sources from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The decision follows strong opposition from political parties and industry bodies, most vocally from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), who have long protested the inclusion of Pakistani artists in Indian projects.
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“We won’t let this film release. Show the courage to release it, I challenge you,” said MNS leader Ameya Khopkar, reiterating the party’s stand on banning Pakistani talent in Indian films.
Abir Gulaal, produced by Vivek B Agrawal and directed by Aarti S Bagdi, found itself at the centre of controversy earlier this month, even before the devastating Pahalgam incident that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri. The situation escalated rapidly after the attack, with cinema halls reportedly backing out from screening the film amid public backlash and safety concerns.
Social media also played a key role in intensifying the boycott campaign, with the hashtag #BoycottAbirGulaal trending soon after the news of the attack broke.
In a statement on Instagram, Fawad Khan expressed his sorrow over the violence, writing: “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time.”
However, this message did little to stem the criticism. The FWICE, which represents over five lakh members across 32 industry associations, reinforced its long-standing directive post-Pulwama (2019) by issuing a fresh statement demanding a total boycott of all Pakistani artists, technicians, and performers.
The organization warned that any production house or personnel found collaborating with Pakistani nationals would face strict disciplinary action. “We will take all necessary steps to ensure that Abir Gulaal is not released in India,” their statement said.
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This isn’t the first time Fawad Khan has faced fallout due to diplomatic tensions. Back in 2016, following the Uri terror attack, he was removed from Indian film projects, and filmmaker Karan Johar had to publicly apologize for casting him in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees came under fire for casting Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.
With mounting public sentiment and political pressure once again fueling the flames of cross-border bans in entertainment, Abir Gulaal has become the latest symbol of India’s cultural crackdown amid terror-related tensions. Whether the film finds release outside India remains to be seen.
