Fawad Khan's Bollywood Comeback 'Abir Gulaal' Faces Ban in India Amid Pahalgam Attack Outrage
New Delhi, April 24:
Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s long-anticipated Bollywood return through ‘Abir Gulaal’ will not see a theatrical release in India, sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed on Thursday. The decision comes in the wake of nationwide outrage following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), one of the largest film worker bodies in the country, issued a fresh appeal urging complete non-cooperation with Pakistani artists, citing Fawad’s casting in Abir Gulaal as a breach of earlier directives.
“Despite the standing directive, we’ve been made aware of the collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. In light of the Pahalgam attack, FWICE is compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians, whether in India or abroad,” the FWICE stated.
The previous directive was imposed in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reportedly decided not to allow ‘Abir Gulaal’ to be released in India, aligning with the sentiments expressed by FWICE and the broader entertainment industry.
In response to the growing controversy and calls for a boycott, Fawad Khan issued a heartfelt message on social media:
“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.”
The film marked Fawad’s first Bollywood project in nine years since a de facto ban on Pakistani artists was enforced post-2016 Uri attacks.
As tensions rise, Abir Gulaal now joins the growing list of films impacted by cross-border tensions, with its Indian release all but scrapped.
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