The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, is facing growing calls for a boycott after a recent terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people.
Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, the movie is set to release on May 9. It is a romantic drama about a love story between people from different countries. Since the film was announced, it has already faced backlash, mainly because Fawad Khan is from Pakistan. People are unhappy about this due to the tense relationship between India and Pakistan.
The Pahalgam attack has made the situation worse. Many people are angry and questioning why Indian filmmakers are still working with Pakistani actors when there are ongoing issues at the border. Social media is full of posts criticizing the film
Read More: Pahalgam Attack Sparks Kashmir Terror Worries Amid Diplomatic Spotlight
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Why are we allowing Pakistani actors in our movies while our soldiers are dying and innocent people are being killed?”
Another user asked, “Should movies like Abir Gulaal even be made?”
People are also comparing this situation to a similar one in 2016. Back then, the movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which also featured Fawad Khan, faced protests after the Uri terror attack. That incident led to an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in Indian movies.
A user pointed out, “Back then it was Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and the Uri attack happened more than a month before the film released.”
Recently, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party, also opposed the release of Abir Gulaal in Maharashtra.
Despite all the backlash and protests, the film’s makers have decided to go ahead with the release as planned.
