India has banned the release of “Abir Gulaal,” a film featuring renowned Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The film was set to mark Fawad’s return to Bollywood after nearly a decade, according to reports from Indian broadcaster NDTV.
In response to the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting decided to stop the release of “Abir Gulaal,” which also stars Vaani Kapoor.
Anti-Fawad sentiments had already been growing on social media before the Pahalgam attack, but the outrage intensified after the incident. The hashtag #BoycottFawadKhan trended widely, and calls for banning Pakistani artists in India became more vocal.
On April 23, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a workers’ association in the film industry, formally called for a boycott of the film. This organization had previously demanded a ban on Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians in Indian cinema following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, which claimed 35 paramilitary lives.
In light of the Pahalgam attack, FWICE renewed its directive, stating, “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 response to the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians involved in any Indian films or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations happening anywhere in the world.”
FWICE represents 32 different groups within India’s film industry, with more than 500,000 members.
The outrage following the Pahalgam attack also led India to take significant diplomatic action, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
India’s soft power sectors, including cricket and cinema, have traditionally seen collaborations between Indian and Pakistani stars. However, in the current climate, such collaborations are being dismantled.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that India would not engage in any bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan following the attack.
In the world of cinema, the effects are already visible—”Abir” Gulaal” and Fawad’s Bollywood comeback will not be seen by Indian audiences.
