Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is currently in the middle of a controversy after the Pahalgam terror attack. The movie was supposed to mark Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s comeback in Bollywood but it is likely to get banned in India amid backlash. According to a report by India Today, government sources have revealed that Abir Gulaal will not release in India.
Meanwhile, a report by News18 also claimed that a source close to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India revealed that Abir Gulaal will face the ban in the country. Earlier, several Pakistani actors worked in Indian movies but the tensions between India and Pakistani post the 2016 URI terror attack changed things. Even though the Bombay High Court dismissed a 2023 petition demanding a total ban on Pakistani artists working in India, many leaders and film bodies opposed it.
Film Federations in India have opposed the release of the film and have also warned the makers of taking action against them. While speaking to NDTV, Ashoke Pandit, President Of The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association, said, “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 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 fk 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).”
BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), added, “We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers (if they release the film).”
As many India actors and celebrities condemned the attack in Pahalgam, Fawad Khan also joined them and expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the terror attack and condemned it. He wrote on Instagram, “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.”
The terror attack in Pahalgam happened on April 22, 2025, and claimed the lives of 28 people.
