The much-talked-about Indo-Pak film Abir Gulaal, starring Bollywood’s Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, is finally set for a global theatrical release on August 29—but India will not be among the markets.
Producers have decided against a theatrical release in India due to strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, worsened earlier this year by the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. This geopolitical fallout reignited the ban on Pakistani artists in India, forcing the film to miss its original May 9 release date in the country.
The movie had sparked strong anticipation, with its teaser and songs receiving warm responses from Indian audiences, especially fans eager for Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema after nine years. However, public sentiment shifted sharply following the Pahalgam incident, leading to widespread calls for a boycott.
Vaani Kapoor, who faced considerable criticism for her involvement, recently addressed the backlash, saying, “There’s so much toxicity and hate… I keep hearing ‘boycott this one, cancel that one.’ Mat karo yaar (don’t do this), have room and let people be.”
Co-star Ridhi Dogra also defended her decision, noting, “When I signed and shot for the film, relations between the countries were stable. I followed all the laws. Today, I stand by my country and our armed forces, but don’t bully me for something legal then.“
Directed by Aarti S Bagadi, Abir Gulaal tells the story of two wounded souls who meet by chance, find comfort in each other’s company, and gradually fall in love. The cast also includes Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalaal, Soni Razdan, Parmeet Sethi, and Rahul Vohra. It is produced by Rakesh Sippy, Firuzi Khan, and Vivek Aggarwal.
