Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated return to Bollywood in the film Abir Gulaal has sparked controversy among political groups in Maharashtra, particularly the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena. The film, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, recently released its trailer, marking the Pakistani actor’s comeback to the Indian film scene after nearly ten years. A ban on Pakistani performers in Indian films has been in effect since 2016, and while the Bombay High Court dismissed a related petition in 2023, debates about their participation in Bollywood continue.
MNS leader Ameya Khopkar voiced the party’s strong opposition to the film’s release in Maharashtra. He stated, "We just became aware of this film today through the announcement. We want to make it clear that we will not allow it to be released in Maharashtra because it stars a Pakistani actor. No such films will be permitted in the state. We are currently gathering more details about the film and will issue a formal statement soon."
Sanjay Nirupam, a leader from the Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde faction, also addressed the concerns, highlighting the prevalent sentiment against Pakistani artists in India. He mentioned to ETimes, "There is significant resentment towards Pakistan among Indian audiences. Films from Pakistan are generally not favored, and although some may watch them out of curiosity, Pakistani actors have not achieved mainstream success here. If the central government has a policy regarding this, it should be enforced. The government should decide on allowing Pakistani films and artists to operate in India."
The discussion surrounding Fawad Khan’s return shines a light on the ongoing conversation about cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan, with differing opinions from political parties and industry members. Abir Gulaal is a romantic drama set to release in theaters on May 9, 2025, and it remains to be seen if the opposition will affect its launch.
