Fawad Khan-Vaani Kapoor’s Aabeer Gulaal receives mixed reviews as it releases worldwide but not in India; critics call it ‘frustrating’, ‘bloated’

Gulf News critic Manjusha Radhakrishnan also found the film lacking in focus and pace. She wrote, “Aabeer Gulaal is bloated, padded with unnecessary segues that drag the runtime.” Radhakrishnan singled out Lisa Haydon’s much-hyped cameo for particular criticism, calling it “the biggest offender — it adds nothing, apart from reminding us that Bollywood can’t resist shoehorning in familiar faces. A tighter cut would have sharpened the storytelling and saved us from mid-movie fidgeting.” Still, there were some redeeming elements. Radhakrishnan acknowledged the onscreen pairing of Fawad and Vaani, stating, “their chemistry actually clicks. They bicker, flirt, and glare in ways that feel authentic.”

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Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, Aabeer Gulaal was originally slated for an Indian release on May 9. However, the schedule was disrupted following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam. In recent weeks, speculation has mounted over a possible release in India on September 26. These reports have now been firmly denied. In a statement posted to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) debunked the release rumours, stating: “It is being claimed by several media outlets that the film ‘Aabeer Gulaal’ starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor will release in Indian cinemas on September 26, 2025. #PIBFactCheck This claim is FAKE No such clearance has been granted for this film.”

The film had generated significant buzz due to Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema after an eight-year hiatus. His last Bollywood appearance was in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Following the Uri attack later that year, cultural relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated, resulting in an unofficial ban on Pakistani artistes in Indian media.