Superstar Fawad Khan’s Bollywood movie Abir Gulal to hit theatres in Pakistan on 12 september, 2025. The film, which faced huge ban and delay after the Pahalgam attack in Indian ocupied Kashmir, will be released worldwide, excluding India.
As per the latest reports, the film Abir Gulal starring Fawad Khan and Bollywood star Vani Kapoor in lead roles has been cleared by the government of Pakistan and has now also been granted No Objection Certificate (NOC).Fawad Khan’s upcoming movie, Abir Gulaal, which was initially slated for release on May 9, 2025, was banned from release in India.
The powerful decision came in the wake of the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people.
The situation intensified even more when the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a prominent industry organization representing more than 500,000 film and television professionals, reaffirmed its longstanding order prohibiting Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians from taking part in Indian productions.
Abir Gulaal, which pairs Fawad Khan with Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor, had created huge buzz everywhere before the controversy; however, promotional activities were also in full force, including a successful music launch at Dubai’s Global Village on April 19, which drew overwhelming responses from audiences and media alike. But just days after the Pahalgam attack, audio company Saregama withdrew the film’s tracks from circulation, effectively halting all promotional initiatives.
In the light of these developments, the producers have shifted to what industry analysts describe as an “overseas-first” distribution strategy, a model recently exemplified by the Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3.
Despite being denied a theatrical release in India, the Diljit Dosanjh-led production, co-starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, achieved remarkable success internationally, grossing ₹70.10 crore and setting a new benchmark as the highest-earning Indian Punjabi film in overseas markets.
