- Wednesday, April 23, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, public sentiment in India has turned sharply against cross-border collaborations in the entertainment industry—particularly films involving Pakistani artists.
The film currently at the heart of the controversy is Abir Gulaal, a romantic comedy featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor. Scheduled for a theatrical release on May 9, the film is now facing widespread calls for a boycott, with many demanding an outright ban.
The tragic attack in Pahalgam, which occurred on Tuesday (21), saw militants ambushing a convoy of pilgrims and tourists, leaving 26 dead and dozens injured.
The attack, which is being widely condemned across India, has reignited tensions over national security and has amplified scrutiny on cultural ties with Pakistan, especially in entertainment. While investigations are ongoing, early reports suggest the involvement of Pakistan-based terrorist groups, further inflaming public outrage.
**While Hindu blood spills in Kashmir,
you’re out here shaking your ass to “Tain Tain” with a Pakistani jihadi — the same land that exports jihadis daily? 🩸🎥You Bollywoodiyas aren’t artists — you’re glamorized gaddars wrapped in designer clothes 🎭🐍
Anti-Hindu,…
— JR (@ThunderboltGaze) April 22, 2025
In the wake of this tragedy, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has stepped forward to oppose the release of Abir Gulaal. The party reiterated its longstanding position against allowing Pakistani artists to work in India.
“We will not let Abir Gulaal release in Maharashtra or anywhere in India,” a party spokesperson warned. MNS has also issued a strong advisory to film distributors and theatre owners, urging them to avoid screening the movie, citing national interest and respect for the victims of the terror attack.
The film, directed by Aarti S Bagdi, is described as a cross-border romantic drama with a comedic tone. However, its thematic content and casting have drawn ire, especially for featuring Fawad Khan, a Pakistani actor whose previous work in Bollywood was also subject to similar controversy.
The situation draws parallels with the 2016 Uri attack, after which Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which also featured Fawad, faced similar backlash. That film released just a month after the attack and led to an informal ban on Pakistani artists in Indian cinema.
Still in favor of Pakistani actors in Indian cinema? Are we still going to allow movies like Abir Gulaal to be made in India with Pakistani actors? #PahalgamTerrorAttack #Kashmir #Pahalgam
— Avi Nash (@avinashpattnaik) April 23, 2025
Social media platforms are abuzz with netizens expressing outrage. Many users have slammed the timing of Abir Gulaal’s release so soon after the Pahalgam attack, calling it “insensitive.”
A viral tweet read, “Are we still going to allow movies like Abir Gulaal to be made in India with Pakistani actors?” Others suggested that it’s more than coincidence that both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Abir Gulaal were embroiled in controversy following major terror attacks. “Maybe Fawad Khan’s kismat hi footi hai,” joked one user, highlighting the unfortunate timing of the actor’s Bollywood ventures.
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Meanwhile, several Bollywood celebrities have expressed grief over the Pahalgam attack. Actors like Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon, and Riteish Deshmukh took to social media to condemn the violence and pay tribute to the victims.
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While no major celebrity has publicly commented on the Abir Gulaal boycott calls yet, industry insiders suggest that producers and theatre chains may quietly distance themselves from the project to avoid public and political backlash.
As the release date for Abir Gulaal approaches, the pressure is mounting on the film’s makers and distributors. Whether the film will be pulled from release or face selective bans across states remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: in a climate of grief and patriotism, films involving cross-border collaborations are bound to face harsh scrutiny.
