Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated Bollywood comeback film, 'Abir Gulaal', has encountered strong opposition from Raj Thackery's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) just hours after its teaser was unveiled.

The political party has objected to the film’s release in Maharashtra, citing the involvement of a Pakistani actor.

MNS spokesperson Ameya Khopkar firmly stated that the party is "strictly against" the film being screened in Maharashtra due to Fawad Khan’s involvement.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also voiced his opposition to the actor’s return to Bollywood, asserting that Indian audiences do not favour films featuring Pakistani artists.

“There is widespread hatred for Pakistan in India. When a film from Pakistan is released, Indian audiences do not prefer watching it. Even if a few people watch it out of curiosity, Pakistani artists have never been able to gain widespread success in India,” said Nirupam.

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He further emphasized that if official policies prohibit Pakistani actors and films in India, they should be enforced uniformly.

Following the 2019 Pulwama attack, various producer associations have raised concerns about allowing Pakistani artists to work in India.

“If the central government has a policy on this, it should be implemented. The decision on whether Pakistani films should be released in India or if their artists should be allowed to work here must be made by the government,” Nirupam added.

The president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association clarified that while there is no official ban, Pakistani actors are generally discouraged from working in the Indian film industry.

Fawad Khan’s Bollywood return

The teaser for 'Abir Gulaal', starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, showcases a romantic scene where Khan hums a song for Kapoor inside a car on a rainy evening in London.

The film, a romantic drama directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, began shooting in the UK on September 29, 2024, and is scheduled for release on May 9, 2025.

Fawad Khan, a widely popular actor in Pakistan, made his Bollywood debut with 'Khoobsurat' alongside Sonam Kapoor, directed by Shashanka Ghosh. His return to Bollywood has reignited debates over cross-border artistic collaborations.