India bans release of Fawad Khan's 'Abir Gulaal' amid outrage over Pahalgam terror attack

According to government sources, "Abir Gulaal" starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will not be allowed to be released in India.

Earlier reacting to the Pahalgam tragedy, Fawad Khan said he is deeply saddened by the "horrifying" terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam as uncertainty loomed over the release of his Bollywood comeback "Abir Gulaal" amid calls for its boycott.

On Tuesday, 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down in a terror attack in South Kashmir's Pahalgam. It is being described as the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.

Fawad, whose last Hindi film appearance in 2016's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" also ran in trouble post the Uri terror strike, condemned the Pahalgam attack in his Instagram Story on Wednesday night.

"Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time," the "Zindagi Gulzar Hai" star wrote.

Fawad's response comes shortly after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reiterated its directive to ban Pakistani artists on Wednesday. They called for a complete non-cooperation with all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry.

"Despite the ongoing directive, we've been made aware of the recent collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi film, 'Abir Gulaal'.

"In light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations occurring anywhere in the world," the FWICE said in a statement.

The industry workers' union, which had issued a similar directive in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack, also warned that it will take disciplinary action against those who work with Pakistani artists.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, had also opposed the release of "Abir Gulaal", which is scheduled to release in India on May 9.

Actor Vaani Kapoor, who stars opposite Fawad in "Abir Gulaal", also condemned the loss of lives in Pahalgam.

No Pakistani actor has worked in the Indian film industry following 2016's Uri terror attack.

Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees" also ran into trouble for featuring Pakistani star Mahira Khan, who made her Bollywood debut with the 2017 film.

The last Pakistani film to release in India was 2011's "Bol", starring Humaima Malick and Atif Aslam.