The release of Abir Gulaal, the much-anticipated Bollywood comeback of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, has come under intense scrutiny following the recent Pahalgam attack.
Set to hit theatres on May 9, 2025, the film’s promotional campaign was gaining traction until online protests and political pressures cast doubt over its fate.
Amid growing backlash, netizens noticed a sudden disappearance of all Abir Gulaal content from lead actress Vaani Kapoor’s Instagram profile, sparking speculation that the actress may have distanced herself from the project. However, a Times Now report clarified that the posts were not removed by Vaani herself. The content, originally posted via Instagram collaborations, was deleted by the film’s production team, causing it to vanish from her account automatically.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reiterated its demand to ban Pakistani artists from working in India, echoing its 2019 stance after the Pulwama attack. The renewed boycott coincides directly with the controversy surrounding Abir Gulaal. Meanwhile, reports suggest the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is reviewing whether to allow the film's release at all.
Fawad Khan, who had condemned the Pahalgam attack on Instagram by calling it a "heinous act," has now seen his account restricted in India. The ban extends to other Pakistani celebrities such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Atif Aslam. Indian users trying to access these profiles now see a message stating, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
