The release of the film Abir Gulal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, has been barred in India following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists and injured many others, has been described as one of the deadliest in the region since the Pulwama attack in 2019. In response, the Indian government has taken several measures, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has confirmed that the film will not be allowed to release in India as part of a broader retaliation against Pakistan. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has also reiterated its directive to ban Pakistani artists from participating in Indian film and entertainment projects. The decision has sparked a mix of reactions, with some supporting the move as a stand against terrorism, while others debate the intersection of art and politics.
Abir Gulal, directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, was originally scheduled for release on May 9. The romantic comedy, shot in the UK, marks Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood after nearly a decade. Both Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor have expressed their condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam attack, with Fawad condemning the incident as “horrific” and Vaani sharing her grief on social media.
The controversy surrounding the film highlights the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the challenges faced by cross-border collaborations in the entertainment industry.
