April 23, 2025 – The upcoming Bollywood romantic drama Abir Gulaal, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, is facing intense scrutiny following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 28 tourists. The tragedy has reignited debates over the presence of Pakistani artists in Indian cinema.
Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, the movie was slated for release on May 9, 2025. However, the film’s promotional material has been met with widespread calls for a boycott. Social media platforms are abuzz with users demanding the Abir Gulaal‘s removal from release schedules, citing the recent attack as a catalyst for their outrage.
After Pahalgam Massacre, Abir Gulaal Faces National Outrage and Boycott Calls
The Pahalgam attack, attributed to the Resistance Front (TRF), a faction linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has intensified national sentiments. Many are questioning the decision to cast Fawad, given the ongoing hostilities between the two nations.
Sharp reactions and fury was witnessed in the social media, one user wrote: Abir Gulaal shouldn’t release in India.
This controversy mirrors the 2016 backlash against Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which also featured the actor and faced protests following the Uri terror attack. The informal ban on Pakistani artists in Indian films has resurfaced, with political bodies and film federations opposing the release of Fawad upcoming movie.
The film’s producers have yet to comment on the situation, but the mounting pressure suggests that the release of this film may face significant hurdles in the coming weeks.