The Bombay High Court abolished the prohibition on Pakistani artists working in India, allowing Pakistani actor Fawad Khan to return to Bollywood. On May 9, the actor’s movie Abir Gulaal, in which Vaani Kapoor also stars, will be released. However, sources indicate that the movie would not be released in India at this time owing to the terrorist assault in Pahalgam.
Cast
- Fawad Khan as Abir Singh
- Vaani Kapoor as Gulaal Bajaj
- Sujoy De
- Farida Jalal
- Rahul Vohra
- Dev Agrawal
- Lisa Haydon
- Soni Razdan
- Riddhi Dogra
- Parmeet Sethi
- Amrit Sandhu
Theatres are wary of taking a film with a Pakistani actor
Because of the nation’s strong anti-Pakistan sentiment following the horrific terror incident, exhibitors are hesitant to broadcast Abir Gulaal. According to sources, exhibitors are afraid of negative reactions and do not want to take the movie. Although the production company is attempting to negotiate with them, it now appears doubtful that Abir Gulaal will be released on May 9. Until the situation is resolved, the movie’s release date can be postponed. However, it is unclear when that will occur because theaters are now unwilling to accept a film starring a Pakistani actor, according to our source.
Film workers’ body calls for a ban on Abir Gulaal
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reaffirmed its mandate in a statement on Wednesday, urging total non-cooperation with all Pakistani singers, musicians, and technicians working in the Indian film and entertainment sector.
We have learned about the recent partnership with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi movie Abir Gulaal, despite the continuing injunction. In the light of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to enforce a total boycott on all Pakistani singers, musicians, and professionals engaged in any Indian entertainment or film endeavors. According to the FWICE, this includes partnerships or performances that happen anywhere in the world.
The Pahalgam terror attack and Abir Gulaal
At least 26 people, primarily tourists, were killed and several more were injured when terrorists attacked a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, on Tuesday. The Indian government has taken several actions against Pakistan as a result of the attack and the reaction to it, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty.
Using the hashtag #boycottAbirGulaal, Abir Gulaal was trending on social media on Wednesday. “The movie ‘Abir Gulaal’ should be banned if the government is sincere. “They should be boycotted completely,” a social media user posted on X. This is not the first time a movie with Fawad in it has encountered problems in India. Following the terror attack in Uri in 2016, Pakistani musicians were prohibited from performing in Indian music and movies. Fawad, who was then becoming more well-known in India, had encountered problems because of his supporting role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, directed by Karan Johar. Johar apologized and said he would never again collaborate with a Pakistani artist.
Who Are The Other Pakistani Artists Facing Ban?
The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPP) declared that they will not collaborate with Pakistani artists following the 2016 Uri incident, citing “patriotism” and “security” as justifications. In addition to Fawad Khan, musicians Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar were prohibited from working with Indian artists.
Mahira most recently worked with Shah Rukh Khan in the “Raees” movie, which received a poor assessment in India. After a video allegedly showing her smoking a cigarette with actor Ranbir Kapoor surfaced, she was also criticized. Atif Aslam has performed well-known Hindi songs for movies such as Tubelight, Tiger 3, Tere Bin, and Rustom. Aaja Nachle, Bodyguard, Sultan, and Simmba are just a few of the well-known Hindi movies in which Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has provided his voice.
Conclusion
Given the intense anti-Pakistan feeling that has followed the Pahalgam terror incident, the release of Abir Gulaal, which stars Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is unclear. Even after the Bombay High Court removed limitations on Pakistani artists, theaters are still unwilling to comply with FWICE’s request for a complete boycott. The film’s future in India is still quite uncertain due to the escalating public outcry.