Boycott calls against Fawad Khan-Vaani Kapoor’s film Abir Gulaal intensify after Pahalgam attack

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is going to make a comeback with Abir Gulaal

The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is facing mounting calls for a boycott following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people.

Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, Abir Gulaal is slated for release on May 9. The romantic drama, said to be a cross-border love story, has already sparked controversy since its announcement, largely due to the casting of Fawad Khan, a Pakistani national, amid strained diplomatic ties and heightened tensions at the borders.

The tragic Pahalgam incident has reignited public outrage, especially on social media, where users are questioning the Indian film industry's decision to collaborate with Pakistani artists despite ongoing hostilities. The backlash appears to be gathering steam, with many demanding that the film be pulled from release schedules.

After the Pahalgam attack, reactions have been pouring in on social media. One X (formerly Twitter) user questioned the industry’s ethical choices and wrote, "Why are Pakistani artists still being welcomed in Indian cinema while our soldiers are being martyred at the borders and innocent lives are being lost?"

Another user asked, "Are we still going to allow movies like Abir Gulaal to be made?"

The current controversy has also prompted comparisons with past incidents, especially the backlash surrounding Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016, which also starred Fawad Khan. That film faced protests following the Uri terror attack on September 18, 2016, which resulted in an informal ban on Pakistani artists in Indian entertainment.

As one X user pointed out, "Last time it was Ae Dil Hai Mushkil... more than a month before its release, the Uri attack happened."

Also Read: Samay Raina writes was 'unable to sleep tonight' following terror incident in Pahalgam.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) voiced strong objections to the film’s release in Maharashtra.

Despite these protests, the makers of Abir Gulaal have decided to proceed with the planned release date.