NewKerala.com Logo

Fawad Khan-starrer 'Abir Gulaal' will not be allowed to release in India: I&B Ministry sources

IANS April 24, 2025 324 views

The Indian government has decided to prevent the release of Fawad Khan's latest film 'Abir Gulaal' in the wake of a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam. This decision comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, effectively blocking the romantic comedy from entering Indian theaters. The film, which was set to release on May 9, was shot in London and stars Vaani Kapoor alongside Khan. The move reflects the continued strain in cultural exchanges between the two neighboring countries, particularly in the entertainment industry.

"The film will not be allowed to release in India" - I&B Ministry Sources"
Fawad Khan-starrer 'Abir Gulaal' will not be allowed to release in India: I&B Ministry sources
Mumbai, April 24: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's film “Abir Gulaal”, which also stars Indian actress Vaani Kapoor will not be allowed to release in India, according to sources from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India.

Key Points

1

Fawad Khan's romantic comedy blocked after Pahalgam terror strike

2

Film was set for May 9 release

3

Shot in London with Vaani Kapoor

4

Follows tensions between India and Pakistan

I&B Ministry sources say the movie 'Abir Gulaal' starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will not be allowed to be released in India.

This comes after the terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 tourists. The attack is tagged as one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike. It occurred at Baisaran, a scenic meadow in Anantnag district accessible only by foot or pony.

"Abir Gulaal", a romantic comedy, was supposed to hit the screens on May 9. On April 1, the film's trailer was released showcasing love and a lot of flirting.

Directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Vivek B Agrawal, Avantika Hari and Rakesh Sippy, it is slated for May 9 release.

The shooting for the upcoming entertainer commenced on September 29 last year in the picturesque backdrop of London and was announced by production house Indian Stories. The film has been shot in the UK over October and November.

It was in 2014, when Fawad, one of Pakistan's biggest stars, made his debut in Indian cinema with the Sonam Kapoor-starrer "Khoobsurat", a romantic comedy drama by Shashanka Ghosh. The film was loosely based on the 1980 film of the same name. It also featured names such as Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak Shah and Aamir Raza Hussain.

He was then seen sharing screen space with actors Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra in the 2016 family drama "Kapoor & Sons" by Shakun Batra. His last big film with Bollywood was Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is so disappointing! I was really looking forward to seeing Fawad Khan back on screen. Art and politics shouldn't be mixed like this. 😔
P
Priya M.
While I understand the sentiment, banning films won't solve anything. Cultural exchange is important for peace between nations.
A
Amit S.
Completely support this decision. After the tragic attack, it's not the time for Pakistani actors in Indian cinema. National security comes first.
S
Shreya P.
Vaani Kapoor must be so upset after all that hard work. The crew shouldn't suffer for political reasons. The film looked so good in the trailer!
V
Vikram J.
Respectfully disagree with this ban. We should separate artists from their governments. Fawad has always been professional and never involved in politics.
N
Neha R.
The timing is really unfortunate. Maybe they could have postponed rather than outright banning? The crew worked so hard on this project. 😟

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Disclaimer: Comments are the opinions of users and not of this website or it's staff. News stories are provided by news agencies. We do not guarantee their accuracy. Inappropriate content may be removed. By posting, you agree to our terms.

You May Like!