Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan's 'Abir Gulaal' Banned in India after Pahalgam Attack: Reports

The Hindi film Abir Gulaal, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the lead role, will not be permitted to release in India following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, according to government sources. Directed by Aarti S Bagdi and co-starring Vaani Kapoor, the film was scheduled to hit Indian theaters on May 9.

This decision comes in response to the tragic incident on Tuesday, where 26 individuals, primarily tourists, were killed in a terror attack in South Kashmir's Pahalgam, marking it as one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the Pulwama incident in 2019.

On Wednesday, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reiterated its stance on banning Pakistani artists, calling for a complete halt to cooperation with Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians in the Indian film and entertainment industry. The FWICE expressed concern over the collaboration with Fawad Khan for Abir Gulaal, stating that in light of the Pahalgam attack, they are compelled to enforce a blanket boycott of all Pakistani artists involved in any Indian projects, regardless of location.

The union, which had previously issued a similar directive following the Pulwama attack in February 2019, warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those who collaborate with Pakistani artists.

Fawad Khan, whose last Hindi film appearance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil faced backlash after the Uri terror attack, expressed his sorrow over the Pahalgam incident on his Instagram Story, offering condolences to the victims and their families. Vaani Kapoor also shared her grief, stating she was at a loss for words and devastated by the attack on innocent lives. Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, had also voiced opposition to the film's release.