Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal Songs Pulled From YouTube India Amid Boycott Calls After Pahalgam Terror Attack

April 25, 2025: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor’s highly anticipated film Abir Gulaal is now embroiled in controversy following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. The attack, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 26 civilians, has sparked widespread outrage across India, leading to calls for the film’s boycott and raising serious questions about its release.

The makers of Abir Gulaal had recently launched two songs from the film—Khudaya Ishq, a romantic track, and Angreji Rangrasiya, a lively dance number. However, in an unexpected turn, both songs were removed from YouTube India, with the tracks no longer available on the official channels of the production house A Richer Lens Entertainment or the music label Saregama, which owns the film’s music rights. The removal of the songs appears to be a direct response to the growing public backlash. Many social media users expressed outrage over the collaboration between Indian and Pakistani artists, particularly so soon after the tragic Pahalgam attack.

As tensions rise, the film’s release is now in jeopardy. The film was originally slated for release on May 9, 2025, but several social media groups and influential individuals have called for a ban on its screening. Reports indicate that government sources have suggested that Abir Gulaal will not be allowed to release in India. This has been further fueled by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), who reiterated their long-standing policy of not cooperating with Pakistani talent in the Indian entertainment industry. The FWICE has urged Indian producers, production houses, and platforms to avoid working with Pakistani artists, technicians, and musicians in light of the current political climate.

Fawad Khan, who had previously been banned from working in India after the 2016 Uri attack, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on social media, offering condolences to the victims and their families. He wrote, “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time.”

Despite this, the mounting calls for a ban and the removal of the film’s songs have cast a shadow over its release, with the future of the film now uncertain. The situation underscores the heightened sensitivity to cross-border collaborations in the Indian entertainment industry, especially in the wake of ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

The controversy surrounding Abir Gulaal and the removal of its songs reflect a larger debate about the role of artists in political and national issues. As public sentiment grows stronger, the fate of the film—and any further collaborations between Indian and Pakistani artists—remains to be seen.