“This is Pakistan’s response to India’s ban."
Abir Gulaal, the much-anticipated film starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, has been banned by Pakistan after it was denied a release in India.
The film, initially positioned as a promising international collaboration, has faced mounting obstacles since the Pahalgam attack, which led to a ban in India.
Now, Pakistan has also joined in halting the film’s screening, further complicating its fate.
The film was slated for a theatrical release on May 9, 2025, aiming to reach audiences in both countries.
However, political tensions have derailed those plans.
While India’s unofficial ban came first, Pakistan soon followed with a more formal rejection of the film’s release.
Film distributor Satish Anand confirmed that Pakistan’s decision was a direct response to India’s stance.
He explained: “This is Pakistan’s response to India’s ban.
“Since the film stars an Indian actress, we have also decided to halt its release.”
This development has not only disrupted Abir Gulaal‘s rollout but also created significant financial strain for Pakistani distributors, who had already made commitments tied to the film’s launch.
According to Anand, the decision came at a particularly damaging time, just as the local industry was attempting to rebound with international content.
Fawad Khan’s career in Bollywood has long been entangled in the broader tensions between India and Pakistan.
After successful performances in Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the actor saw his momentum interrupted following the 2016 Uri attack.
The Indian government banned Pakistani artists from working in India.
Despite those restrictions, Abir Gulaal signalled a hopeful return to cross-border storytelling, until the latest political developments undermined it.
With both nations turning their backs on the film, Abir Gulaal now stands in limbo.
Its global release is under threat, and sources suggest that the May 9 premiere has been postponed indefinitely.
The film’s producers have yet to issue an official statement about alternative release strategies or potential digital platforms.
For fans of Fawad Khan and supporters of cross-border art, the situation has become frustrating.
A fan questioned: “Why do they mingle art with politics? It doesn’t make any sense!”
One said: “And this is why we lag behind the whole world.”
Another commented: “I was looking forward to his comeback. Such actions in 2025 is crazy.”
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