Abir Gulaal Starring Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan Will Not Release In India, Reveal I&B Ministry Sources
Abir Gulaal Banned In India: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's Bollywood movie Abir Gulaal, also starring Vaani Kapoor, will not be released in India.
Abir Gulaal Ban In India: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s upcoming Bollywood movie Abir Gulaal will not be released in India. A source close to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India has revealed that the film, which also stars Vaani Kapoor in the lead, will not hit theatres in the country. The decision has been taken after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22.
Abir Gulaal marks Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback after nine years. The actor previously appeared in three Bollywood films, including Khoobsurat (2014), Kapoor & Sons (2016) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), all of which garnered considerable attention owing to his popularity among Indian audiences.
related stories
However, the landscape shifted dramatically following the 2016 Uri terror attack. In its aftermath, prominent industry bodies like the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) announced a ban on Pakistani artists from participating in Indian cinema. Although the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition in 2023 that called for a formalised ban, industry sources maintain that an unofficial freeze on collaborations with Pakistani talent has persisted since 2016.
Also See: Abir Gulaal Cast
While Fawad Khan‘s comeback with Abir Gulaal was already facing opposition from a few, the protests have now intensified after the terror attack in Pahalgam when Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists. The incident killed 27 people, and the Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, took responsibility for the attack.
On Wednesday, Fawad also expressed his sadness over the attack and wrote on his Instagram stories, “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."
Meanwhile, Vaani Kapoor, too, shared her grief, writing on social media, “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."
- Location :
- First Published: