After India, Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal won’t hit screens in Pakistan

Following the Pahalgam incident, the release of Abir Gulaal was banned in India, and now the film will not be screened in Pakistan either.

Interestingly, Abir Gulaal was promoted as an international project, raising expectations that it would be showcased in Pakistani cinemas.

However, the film’s global release now remains uncertain. Initially scheduled to premiere on May 9, it has reportedly been postponed indefinitely.

After the film was unofficially banned in India, Pakistan also closed its doors to its release. Renowned distributor Satish Anand confirmed to Indian media that Abir Gulaal will not be released in Pakistan.

According to Anand, the main issue lies in the casting of Indian actress Vaani Kapoor in the lead role. 

Read: Songs of Fawad Khan's Abir Gulaal deleted from YouTube in wake of boycott calls

The sudden decision has dealt a financial blow to Pakistan’s film distribution sector. Anand remarked that this has turned out to be “a very bad time” for the film’s release.

Fawad Khan’s Bollywood career has long been affected by political tensions.

He made a strong impression in India with films like Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, but his journey was abruptly halted after the Indian government imposed a ban on Pakistani artists following the 2016 Uri attack.