The film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is facing intense backlash from all over, along with boycott calls following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 people. Industry bodies like the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees have threatened non-cooperation and opposition to the film's release, citing national security concerns and ongoing tensions with Pakistan. Social media users are demanding a ban, with hashtags like #BoycottAbirGulaal trending, while political groups like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have warned against screening the film in Maharashtra. Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, the rom-com remains scheduled for a May 9 release despite mounting pressure. It will be interesting to see how this situation come.
If we go back, this is not the first time a Fawad Khan movie in Indian cinema has come under the pump. In 2016, he faced a similar backlash when his movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil faced protests after the Uri attack.
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