Mumbai: The upcoming romantic comedy Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, will not be permitted to release in India, according to sources within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
The decision follows heightened tensions in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists — one of the most severe attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since Pulwama in 2019.
Originally slated for a theatrical release on May 9, Abir Gulaal had generated buzz following the release of its trailer on April 1, showcasing a light-hearted, romantic narrative.
The film is directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Vivek B Agrawal, Avantika Hari, and Rakesh Sippy under the banner of Indian Stories.
Filming took place in London across October and November last year.
The I&B Ministry has yet to issue an official public statement, but sources suggest the decision is a direct response to current national security concerns and public sentiment following the Pahalgam incident.
Fawad Khan, who rose to prominence in India with his 2014 Bollywood debut Khoobsurat opposite Sonam Kapoor, last appeared in a Hindi film in Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.
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His involvement in Indian cinema has remained limited since bilateral tensions escalated in the aftermath of the Uri and Pulwama attacks.
With cross-border cultural ties under renewed scrutiny, Abir Gulaal becomes the latest project impacted by strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.
