The return of the superstar Pakistani Fawad Khan to Bollywood aroused the controversy while the political and industrial leaders of the right of India called to boycott the next romantic comedy “ Abir Gulaal ”.
The film, with the Pakistani heart and Vaani Kapoor of India, is scheduled for an release on May 9, 2025 and before its beginnings in theaters, the film is faced with strong opposition from major political figures and industry leaders who call for its boycott, largely in the Maharashtra.
Veteran filmmaker and Indian directors and television directors; The president of the association (IFTDA), Ashoke Pandit, took a firm position against the casting of Fawad, saying in an interview with Ians that “the whole nation will react” on the return of the Pakistani actor, according to News 18.
Pandit expressed his disappointment at the Indian film industry for continuing to work with Pakistani artists despite an unofficial ban. The director stressed that these measures are “disrespectful to the interests of the nation”.
He also raised questions against the popular rhetoric of “art has no borders” because he argued that solidarity should be accompanied.
“What Pakistani artist has already spoken after an attack on Indian soldiers or civilians?” He asked and warned that the release of the film would bring general public anger, which would cause mass demonstrations.
After the 2016 URI incident which made 19 fatal of Indian soldiers, the filming of organizations such as Imppa and Aicwa applied an unofficial ban on Pakistani actors and technicians.
A plea for an official ban in 2023 was rejected by the High Court of Bombay, the industry continues to observe an unwritten rule which distances Bollywood Pakistani artists.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has promised to block the release of Abir Gulaal in the state. The leader also challenged the filmmakers, saying: “We will not allow any film featuring Pakistani artists to be released in the Maharashtra. I dared to go out”.
Similar feelings have been taken up by the chief of Shiv Sena Sanjay Nirupam because he said that the Indian public avoids watching Pakistani films and actors, even when they are curious.
“There is a generalized hatred for Pakistan in India,” he said, added that Pakistani artists should work in their own film industry.
Fawad, which appeared in Bollywood, including Khoobsurat (2014), Kapoor and son (2016), and Ae dil hai mushkil (2016), before political tensions in the aftermath of Uri’s attack derailed his career in Indian cinema.
