What Is The Controversy Around Abir Gulaal, Film Starring Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan? Will It Be Screened In India?

Amidst the Pahalgam carnage, the Indian government pulled the plug on the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, has suspended visa for Pakistani nationals and closed the Wagah-Attari border.

The public outrage could be seen on social media, where many users demanded from the government that action be taken against Pakistan. They also questioned the Indian film industry’s decision to collaborate with Pakistani artistes.

Boycott Calls For ‘Abir Gulaal’

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has called for complete non-cooperation with Pakistani artistes, singer, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry.

“Despite the ongoing directive, we’ve been made aware of the recent collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi film, Abir Gulaal. In light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations occurring anywhere in the world," the FWICE said.

BN Tiwari, President of FWICE, said: “We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers (if they release the film)."

Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association, also raised strong objections to the release of the film. “This incident is an act of war against the nation. This isn’t the first time…these attacks have been ongoing for 30 years. We, as a federation, have requested with folded hands to not work (with) Pakistanis. They come up with bulls***t reasons like artist, community, but ultimately, the nation must come first. People think ‘agar mere ghar ka aadmi nahi mara toh f**k it, I don’t care’, but if this film’s heroine or makers’ family members had been shot by the terrorist, they wouldn’t have worked (with Fawad)."

It is not the first time that the industry workers’ union has banned Pakistani artistes working in the Indian film industry amidst terror attacks. After the Pulwama attack in February 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, the FWICE had issued a directive against the Pakistani performers.

In 2016, following the Uri terror attack, Pakistani artistes were barred from working in the Indian film and music industry.

Earlier this month, Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had strongly opposed the release of the ‘Abir Gulaal’ in India.

The FWICE, the parent body of 32 different crafts of the workers and technicians of the industry with more than 5 lakh members, warned that it will take disciplinary action against those who work with Pakistani artistes.

Who Is Fawad Khan And His Works In India?

Fawad Khan is a Pakistani actor who has worked in popular Hindi films such as Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, Sonam Kapoor-starrer ‘Khoobsurat’ and ‘Kapoor and Sons’. All three films shot up the actor’s popularity in India. His popular TV dramas include ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ and ‘Humsafar’.

He is supposedly making a comeback in the Indian film industry after facing an official ban in 2016 in the aftermath of the Uri attack in which 19 Indian soldiers died. Film director Karan Johar had then apologised and said he would not work with Pakistani artistes in the future.

But, in 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition to officially ban Pakistani artistes from working in India. Defending their decision on calling out the petitioner, the court had ruled: “Arts, music, sports, culture, dance, and so on are the activities which rise above nationalities, cultures, and nations and truly bring about peace, tranquillity, unity, and harmony in nation and between nations."

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Khan posted on Instagram that his thoughts and prayers are with the victims at this hour. “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam (sic)," his message read.

“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 (sic)," the Instagram story read.

Khan was born in Karachi in November 1981, and belongs to Pashtun family. His father was born in Patiala, whereas his mother is a native of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. His family moved to Pakistan after the Partition.

Meanwhile, Abir Gulaal’s actor Vani Kapoor took to her Instagram to react to the Pahalgam incident. She wrote, “Have been numb, at a loss of words since the time I have seen the attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. Gutted. Devastated. My prayers are with the families."

Who Are The Other Pakistani Artistes Facing Ban?

After the Uri attack in 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPP) decided that they won’t work with Pakistani artistes after they cited “security" and “patriotism" as reasons.

Besides Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar and musicians like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan faced the ban and were not allowed to collaborate with Indian artistes.

Mahira last worked in India with actor Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Raees’, which received negative publicity. She was also trolled after a video emerged purportedly showing her smoking a cigarette with actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Atif Aslam has sung popular Hindi songs for films like Tiger 3, Tere Bin, Rustom and Tubelight.

Meanwhile, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has lent his voice in popular Hindi films such as Aaja Nachle, Bodyguard, Sultan and Simmba.

What Are Users Saying On Social Media?

“If govt is serious, they must ban the film ‘Abir Gulaal’… They deserve a full-fledged boycott," a social media user wrote on X. Another user said, “Vaani Kapoor feels lucky! I sincerely hope this movie isn’t allowed to be released in India. #PahalgamTerroristAttack #AbirGulaal."

Another user asked, “Still in favour of Pakistani actors in Indian cinema? Are we still going to allow movies like Abir Gulaal to be made in India with Pakistani actors?"

Abir Gulaal is a rom-com with actors Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor who slowly fall in love with each other. The movie was shot in London and is set to release on May 9. It also stars Soni Razdan, Lisa Haydon, Ridhi Dogra and Farida Jalal.