Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated Bollywood return with Abir Gulaal is facing severe criticism and calls for a nationwide boycott following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. With emotions running high across the country, various Indian film industry associations have strongly objected to the film’s release in India.
Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association, has led the charge, urging a complete boycott of those collaborating with Pakistani artists. “This is an act of war. It’s been happening for decades,” Pandit said. “We’ve appealed repeatedly not to work with Pakistani artists. No justification art or culture can be bigger than national interest.”
These two!❤️#AbirGulaal co-stars #FawadKhan and #VaaniKapoor attended the film’s music launch in Dubai.#Trending pic.twitter.com/3mYB3zNIzL
— Filmfare (@filmfare) April 20, 2025
FWICE Takes Firm Stand Against ‘Abir Gulaal’
Echoing the sentiment, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President B.N. Tiwari declared, “We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers if they proceed.” He added that any crew member or filmmaker working with Pakistani talent could face industry-wide consequences, including blacklisting.
The controversy has escalated after the Pahalgam attack, where over 20 tourists, including two foreigners, were killed by Lashkar-linked terrorists. The attack occurred in the Baisaran Meadows, where terrorists disguised in army uniforms opened fire on horse-riding tourists.
About the Film
Abir Gulaal, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, marks Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood and features actress Vaani Kapoor in a lead role. The film is produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, Avantika Hari, and Rakesh Sippy, with music composed by Amit Trivedi. The backlash has overshadowed its buzz, with its future release now uncertain amidst growing calls for cultural distancing from Pakistan
