On August 11, 2025, Abir Gulaal confirmed the global release date for Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback film, set for August 29. However, the film will not screen in India due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
The decision to exclude India follows the May 2025 conflict when India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, prompting Pakistan to initiate Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. These events led to the reinstatement of bans on Pakistani artists working in India and on Indian films screening in Pakistan.
The film, which was originally set to be released on May 9, faced calls for a boycott in India due to the recent conflict, despite receiving positive feedback for its teaser and songs. Vani Kapoor, who stars alongside Khan, addressed the backlash by stating, “There’s so much toxicity… don’t boycott, let people be,” as reported by Hindustan Times. Co-star Ridhi Dogra defended her involvement, emphasising, “I followed all laws… don’t bully me for something that is legal.” Additionally, the film’s absence of a release in Pakistan further limits access for Khan’s fans.
Directed by Aarti S. Bagadi and produced by Rakesh Sippy, Firuzi Khan, and Vivek Aggarwal, “Abir Gulaal” tells the story of two wounded souls who find love through solace. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, Parmeet Sethi, and Rahul Vohra. While the film’s international premiere aims to reach global audiences, its exclusion from the Indian and Pakistani markets presents a significant setback.
The India-Pakistan conflict has been intensified by India’s accusation of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, which Islamabad has denied. This ongoing tension has disrupted cultural exchanges between the two nations, similar to the ban on the film Sardaar Ji 3 in India. The current political climate continues to pose challenges for cross-border collaborations, affecting Bollywood’s outreach and Khan’s anticipated return to the industry after nine years.
