Aabeer Gulaal: Vaani Kapoor-Fawad Khan film set to release in India months after Pahalgam attack

The romantic drama Aabeer Gulaal had its worldwide premiere on September 12, but India was notably excluded from the rollout.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: September 12, 2025 07:25 PM IST

2 min read

Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan's Abir Gulaal faces controversy

Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan's Abir Gulaal to finally release in India. (Photo: Abir Gulaal publicity team)

After several delays and much speculation, the Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan-starrer Aabeer Gulaal is finally set to release in India on September 26. The romantic drama had its worldwide premiere on September 12, but India was notably excluded from the rollout, leading to disappointment among fans. Now, a source has confirmed to Bollywood Hungama that the film will arrive in Indian cinemas two weeks later.

The source revealed: “Aabeer Gulaal released globally on September 12. The team of Indian Stories Limited (UK) has now decided to release it in India on September 26. They are confident about the film and believe its simple, sweet love story can resonate with audiences here as well. Moreover, with no other major releases that week, the film will enjoy a solo run at the box office.”

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Produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, Raza Namazi, and Firuzi Khan, Aabeer Gulaal was originally slated for release on May 9, 2025. It also carried extra weight as it marked Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated return to Indian cinema after eight years. His last Bollywood outing was Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016, following which the Uri attack strained cultural ties and led to a ban on Pakistani artistes in India. The Pahalgam attack earlier this year further complicated matters, delaying the film’s release plans.

Despite the hurdles, Aabeer Gulaal has generated strong buzz. Touted as a romantic comedy, the story follows Gulaal (Vaani Kapoor), a young woman who escapes an arranged marriage and moves to London. There, she encounters Aabeer (Fawad Khan), a guarded restaurateur burdened with a complicated past. What begins as a clash between two very different personalities slowly transforms into a tender love story.

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