‘Abir Gulaal shouldn’t be released’: X users demand ban on Fawad Khan’s film after Pahalgam terror attack

Abir Gulaal stars Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor in the lead. Billed as Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback, the film has been facing backlash on social media since the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Many X users have demanded that the film must be banne...

Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback, Abir Gulaal, has been facing backlash ever since the teaser of the project was released. The rom-com, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, has been the subject of several debates on social media regarding the unofficial ban on Pakistani actors working in Indian projects.

Now, several social media users have expressed their discontent about the release of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal in light of the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Pahalgam attack on April 22 killed at least 26 people and left 17 injured, according to a Reuters report.



Social media users demand boycott of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal

Some asked for a ban on its release in India. “Abir Gulaal shouldn't be released in India,” a user wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Abir Gulaal shouldn&#39;t release in India</p>&mdash; Aditya Agarwal (@Aditya2000apr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aditya2000apr/status/1914887571596882194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


“Still in favour 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 asked.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">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? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PahalgamTerrorAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PahalgamTerrorAttack</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kashmir</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pahalgam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pahalgam</a></p>&mdash; Avi Nash (@avinashpattnaik) <a href="https://twitter.com/avinashpattnaik/status/1914878673074749646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


“We are not going to watch any Pakistani actor movies,” an account claimed.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are not going to watch any pakistani actor movies.</p>&mdash; VIKKY (@amitesh2005) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitesh2005/status/1914609887851565428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Many called for a boycott.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="cy" dir="ltr">Boycott Fawad Khan starrer Abir Gulaal</p>&mdash; RAMACHANDRA RAO (@RAMACH280463) <a href="https://twitter.com/RAMACH280463/status/1914720504658751607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


On the other hand, some saw a parallel between Abir Gulaal’s release and Fawad Khan’s last film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The Uri attack happened before the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016, while the Pahalgam incident took place before Abir Gulaal hit theatres.

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“Why is there always a terrorist issue in India whenever Fawad's movie is releasing? Feeling sad for Fawad Khan,” a comment read.


Abir Gulaal controversy

Fawad Khan’s inclusion in Abir Gulaal has been a matter of contention among film lovers. Many have cited the tensions between India and Pakistan and slammed the makers for casting Fawad Khan in the lead. After Abir Gulaal’s teaser was released on April 1, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vowed that they would not let the movie release in the state.

About Abir Gulaal

Abir Gulaal is billed as a rom-com with Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor has two people who slowly fall in love with each other. Set to release on May 9, Abir Gulaal also stars Soni Razdan, Lisa Haydon, Ridhi Dogra and Farida Jalal. The film is directed by Aarti S Bagdi.


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