Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, which was already facing a release ban in India, is now reportedly barred from screening in Pakistan as well.
Renowned film distributor Satish Anand confirmed in an interview with Indian media that the film will not be released in Pakistan either.
He stated that the key issue is the presence of Indian actress Vaani Kapoor in the lead role. “This is Pakistan’s response to India’s ban. Since the film stars an Indian actress, we have also decided to halt its release,” he explained.
In the wake of the Pahalgam attacks, the movie Abir Gulaal starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will not be released in India.
Khan, renowned for his roles in Hindi movies such as Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Khoobsurat, and Kapoor & Sons, was poised to make his Bollywood debut in a film featuring Vaani Kapoor, which was scheduled for release on May 9. Following the Uri assault, he, along with other Pakistani performers, faced a banned on participating in Hindi films.
Read more: Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo: Everything to know about Netflix’s first Pakistani series
Khan’s movie Abir Gulaal, starring the Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, was scheduled to premiere on May 9 but was met with growing cells for a boycott after the incident that resulted in over 24 dead. Reports from India’s information ministry suggested that the film’s release was cancelled in the wake of the attack.
Filmfare reported that two of the songs from the movie, which were released earlier this month, were also taken off the YouTube channels of Abir Gulaal’s production company,
A Richer Lens Entertainment, and Saregama Music. Images was unable to locate the music videos for “Khudaya Ishq” and “Angreji Rangrasiya” on the production house’s or Saregama’s YouTube channels, but the teaser for the song “Khudaya Ishq” and the film’s official teaser trailer are still available on A Richer Lens Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
No official announcement regarding the film’s situation has been made by the production company or director Aarti S Bagdi. Previously, the main actors both denounced the assault. Khan expressed, “Truly heartbroken to learn of the dreadful attack in Pahalgam” in an Instagram story late Wednesday night. “Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrifying event, and we hope for strength and recovery for their families during this challenging time.”
Kapoor, also addressing the situation on Instagram, stated, “I have felt paralyzed, at a loss for expression since witnessing the assault on innocent people in Pahalgam. Shattered. Heartbroken. My prayers are with the families.”