The highly anticipated film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood’s Vaani Kapoor, will not release in India, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent Pahalgam terror attacks. Government sources confirmed to The Indian Express that the film, scheduled to hit theatres on May 9, has been pulled from Indian distribution.
The decision aligns with a broader diplomatic crackdown by India, which includes suspending the Indus Water Treaty and halting SAARC visa privileges. These moves come in response to the attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of multiple civilians and led to widespread condemnation across the country.
Abir Gulaal was set to mark Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood, years after a ban was imposed on Pakistani artists in India following the Uri attack in 2016. Khan, known for his roles in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Khoobsurat, and Kapoor & Sons, had remained absent from Hindi films ever since.
After the Pahalgam incident, Fawad Khan expressed his sorrow on social media, writing: “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims… we pray for strength and healing for their families.” His co-star Vaani Kapoor also posted her grief, calling the attack “gut-wrenching” and saying she was “numb” after seeing the visuals.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reiterated its ban on Pakistani artists, originally announced in 2019. In a statement, the federation declared it would “take all necessary steps to ensure that Abir Gulaal is not released in India” and emphasized its ongoing commitment to “national interest and solidarity.”
The fallout once again highlights the fragile ties between cultural exchange and geopolitics, as cross-border artistic collaborations face renewed obstacles in the face of national security concerns.
