India pulls plug on Fawad Khan-Vaani Kapoor’s film Abir Gulaal after Pahalgam attack

After the Pahalgam incident, Fawad Khan took to social media to condemn the attack. “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,” he wrote on Instagram.

Co-actor Vaani Kapoor also expressed her grief over the incident and wrote, “Have been numb, at a loss for words since the time I saw the attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. Gutted. Devastated. My prayers are with the families.”

Fawad Khan on his Instagram story.

Following the terror attack, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier announced a ban on Pakistani artistes, stating they would “take all necessary steps to ensure that Abir Gulaal is not released in India.”

In their statement on Wednesday, FWICE condemned the attack and wrote: “In the wake of these repeated attacks, FWICE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to national interest and solidarity. We reiterate our directive, originally issued on February 18, 2019, calling for complete non-cooperation with all Pakistani artistes, singers, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry.”

The federation also mentioned Fawad and Vaani’s film in the statement and said: “Despite this ongoing directive, we have 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 artistes, singers, and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations occurring anywhere in the world.”

Earlier, the India release of his 2022 Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt was stalled due to a legal challenge and protests from a far-right Hindu group. In 2016, Karan Johar’s film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, with Khan as one of the leads, had come under a cloud after Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena threatened to block its release.