Abir Gulaal Starring Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor Reportedly Will Not Release in India: MIB Source

Bollywood's upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will reportedly not be released in India. This decision comes in the wake of the nationwide outrage following the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri were killed. Several news reports have cited sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) regarding the matter.

Vaani Kapoor- Fawad Khan Starrer Abir Gulaal Faces Backlash After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Abir Gulaal, which features actress Vaani Kapoor, Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdon alongside Fawad Khan, was set to release on May 9 this year. The film, produced by Vivek B. Agrawal and directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, has faced growing controversy. Earlier this month, since the film teaser has been dropped on April 1st, political leader Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party opposed its release in India, citing the strained political relations between New Delhi and Islamabad. The opposition to the Fawad Khan-led film gained further momentum after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, further fueling the debate around the movie's release.

Cited in several news reports, sources in the Information Ministry have revealed that multiple cinema halls do not want to screen Abir Gulaal. Several entertainment organisations has also called for a boycott of the film. Following these developments, the ministry has reportedly decided to deny permission for the movie's release in India.

BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), also voiced strong opposition to the release of Abir Gulaal in India. Citing the public sentiment and the ongoing outrage following the Pahalgam terror attack, Tiwari said, "We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers if they attempt to go ahead with the release." FWICE, which represents hundreds of thousands of film industry workers across India, has joined other industry groups in demanding a complete boycott of the film, particularly due to the involvement of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Earlier today, actor Fawad Khan expressed his grief over the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a "heinous" act. In his Instagram story, he posted, "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."

Pakistani Artists Banned in India

In 2016, following the Uri terror attack that claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers, Pakistani artists were unofficially barred from working in Indian films and music. Fawad Khan, who was then enjoying significant popularity in India, faced backlash for his appearance in Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Amid mounting criticism, Johar issued a public statement, apologizing and pledging not to work with Pakistani artist in the future.

The ban on pakistani actors affected many major Bollywood releases. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's film Raees ran into political trouble in 2017 due to the casting of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan in a lead role.

Several political groups and film associations protested the inclusion of Pakistani actors, calling it insensitive in light of cross-border tensions. The current opposition to Abir Gulaal appears to follow a similar pattern, with growing calls from industry bodies and political organizations to boycott films featuring Pakistani artists, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Who is Fawad Khan and why is He So Famous in India?

Fawad Khan is a well-known Pakistani actor, singer, and model. He became very popular in India because of his charming looks, strong acting skills, and roles in both TV dramas and Bollywood films. Before entering Bollywood, he was already famous for his Pakistani dramas like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which also had a large fan base in India.

Pakistani TV drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai was aired in India and became a big hit, made Fawad Khan a well known face in India as well. His Bollywood debut came in 2014 with the film Khoobsurat, where he acted opposite Sonam Kapoor. He also appeared in Karan Johar's film Kapoor & Sons (2016) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016).