Pahalgam Terror Attack Triggers Demand For Ban On Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor’s Film Abir Gulaal

The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, has been at the centre of controversy since its teaser dropped on April 1. The backlash intensified following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on Tuesday, where four terrorists opened fire, killing 26 people, mostly tourists. The film has drawn criticism and boycott calls due to the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad.

Amid escalating tensions, Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association, voiced strong objections to the film's release: “This incident is an act of war against the nation. This isn’t the first time...these attacks have been ongoing for 30 years. We, as a federation, have requested with folded hands to not work Pakistanis.

They come up with bulls***t reasons like artist, community, but ultimately, the nation must come first. People think ‘agar mere ghar ka aadmi nahi mara toh f**k it, I don’t care’, but if this film’s heroine or makers’ family members had been shot by the terrorist, they wouldn’t have worked (with Fawad).”