Fawad Khan’s 'Abir Gulaal' banned from Indian release amid rising tensions: Government sources

The release of Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor’s much-anticipated film Abir Gulaal has been blocked in India, according to official sources. The decision comes in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and intensified calls for a complete halt to any collaboration with Pakistani artists.

Originally scheduled for a May 9 release across India, the film has been at the center of a growing controversy due to the presence of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a lead role. Amid heightened public anger and political rhetoric, the backlash quickly translated into coordinated boycott calls across social and political platforms.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), one of the largest film trade unions in the country, has taken a hardline stance. It has not only announced a blanket ban on Pakistani artists but also stated it will take all measures necessary to prevent the film’s release, including halting the broadcasting of its songs and visuals across Indian media channels.

Despite the Bombay High Court's earlier dismissal of a petition that sought a complete ban on Pakistani artists, the current socio-political climate has made it nearly impossible for Abir Gulaal to find acceptance in Indian theatres. Multiple film bodies and political groups have thrown their weight behind the ban.

The controversy deepened further when both Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor promoted the film in Dubai on April 20, just days after the attack. While Fawad later expressed condolences for the victims and condemned the attack on social media, his message failed to pacify critics.

With the film’s fate sealed in India, there are also rising concerns about other cross-border entertainment collaborations, including popular Pakistani YouTube shows consumed widely by Indian audiences. While FWICE admitted it can only regulate domestic platforms, it made clear that all efforts would be made to discourage any future collaborations with Pakistani talent.