Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's Abir Gulaal will not be allowed to release in India: I&B ministry sources

Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor are promoting Abir Gulaal

I&B Ministry sources say 'Abir Gulaal,' starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will not be allowed to release in India. This move comes two days after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

On Tuesday, 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down in a terror attack in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam. It is being described as the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan was making a comeback in Bollywood after 9 years.

Earlier, Fawad Khan had written on social media that he was deeply saddened by the "horrifying" terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

There was uncertainty looming over the release of his Bollywood comeback, "Abir Gulaal," amid calls for its boycott.

Also Read - Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal in trouble as songs from the film removed from YouTube post Pahalgam Attack

Fawad, whose last Hindi film appearance was in 2016's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," also ran into trouble post the Uri terror strike and condemned the Pahalgam attack in his Instagram Story on Wednesday night.

"Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time," the "Zindagi Gulzar Hai" star wrote.

Fawad's post came shortly after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reiterated its directive to ban Pakistani artists on Wednesday. They called for complete non-cooperation with all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry.

"Despite the ongoing directive, we've been made aware of the recent collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi film 'Abir Gulaal.'

"In light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations occurring anywhere in the world," the FWICE said in a statement.

The industry workers' union, which had issued a similar directive in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack, also warned that it will take disciplinary action against those who work with Pakistani artists.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, had also opposed the release of "Abir Gulaal," which is scheduled to release in India on May 9.

Actor Vaani Kapoor, who stars opposite Fawad in "Abir Gulaal," also condemned the loss of lives in Pahalgam.

"I have been numb, at a loss for words since the time I saw the attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. Gutted. Devastated. My prayers are with the families," she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

The makers of "Abir Gulaal" earlier this month announced that the movie is slated to be released on May 9. (With PTI Inputs)