- Social media users are calling for a boycott on Abir Gulaal, after recent Pahalgam terror attack
- Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is set for release on May 9, 2025.
- Political parties like MNS and Shiv Sena had earlier opposed the film
After an eight-year hiatus, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is all set to make his Bollywood comeback with Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor. Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, the romantic drama is slated for a theatrical release on May 9, 2025. However, the film has become embroiled in controversy, facing opposition from political groups and social media users in the wake of recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Social Media Calls for Boycott
Following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in death of atleast 26 civilians, a segment of social media users has called for a boycott of Abir Gulaal. Hashtags like #BoycottAbirGulaal have been trending on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users expressing outrage over the casting of a Pakistani actor in an Indian film during a period of heightened tensions.
One user questioned, “Still in favor of Pakistani actors in Indian cinema? Are we still going to allow movies like Abir Gulaal to be made in India with Pakistani actors?”
Another user said that such films should be boycotted. Here are a few other reactions:
MNS Opposes Film’s Release
Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had publicly opposed the release of Abir Gulaal in Maharashtra due to Fawad Khan’s involvement. Ameya Khopkar, president of MNS’s cinema wing, had said as per IANS, “We have been protesting against this film, against Pakistani artists and Pakistani films. And we will continue to do so. No film will be released here featuring Pakistani artists. And there is no need to release it. I just want to say, show the courage to release it. I challenge you to release it. In 2016, we had a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Raj Thackeray was also there.”
Similarly, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam had also expressed concerns over the inclusion of Pakistani actors in Indian films, suggesting that the central government should implement clear policies regarding such collaborations.
Despite the backlash, the film’s producers have not announced any changes to the release schedule. The controversy surrounding Abir Gulaal echoes past instances where films featuring Pakistani artists faced challenges in India, highlighting the ongoing complexities of cross-border artistic collaborations.
