Pahalgam Terror Attack: Netizens Demand Ban, Boycott On Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor Starrer Abir Gulaal
The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Indian actress Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, has been called for boycott!
Just hours after a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, left the country in shock, public anger has spilt over into the entertainment world. The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Indian actress Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, has become the centre of an intense online storm, with netizens demanding an immediate boycott of the project. Keep on reading for more,
Why Netizens Are Angry Over Abir Gulaal?
The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 28 innocent tourists, many of them families on vacation, has sparked national grief and rage. The attack, carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, is the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike. The Indian Army and local law enforcement have launched a large-scale manhunt in the region. But while the nation mourns, another battle is playing out online, this time, aimed at the entertainment industry. The film Abir Gulaal, a romantic cross-border drama directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and scheduled to release on May 9, 2025, is facing severe criticism for featuring a Pakistani lead at a time when emotions are running high.
Here’s what Internet Users Had To Say About The Movie
Many social media users are calling the casting of Fawad Khan insensitive and tone-deaf, especially in the wake of the attack. Twitter and Instagram are flooded with hashtags like #BoycottAbirGulaal and #NoPakActors, as fans and political commentators question the rationale behind including a Pakistani actor in a project so soon after a terror attack allegedly backed by Pakistani interests.
This isn’t the first time Fawad Khan has been at the heart of controversy. His 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil faced similar outrage following the Uri terror attack, with mass protests and political pushback eventually leading to an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in Bollywood.
The filmmakers have yet to release an official statement, but pressure is mounting.
Also Read: Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor Film Faces Backlash From Raj Thackeray’s MNS In Maharashtra. Here’s Why
First Published: April 23, 2025 4:33 PM
