After nearly a decade-long absence, Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan is making his highly anticipated return to Bollywood with the romantic drama Abir Gulaal, releasing on May 9.
The announcement of his comeback has set off a frenzy among fans, ignited debates about cultural exchange, and rekindled conversations around the long-standing ban on Pakistani artistes in India, reported the Hindustan Times.
Sharing a teaser on Instagram last week, Fawad wrote: “The wait is over! Bringing love back to the big screen.”
The teaser, which features Fawad serenading co-star Vaani Kapoor against the dreamy backdrop of London, quickly went viral, reported the Times of India.
The film, directed by Aarti S Bagdi, is described as a “heartwarming tale” with love, laughter, and unexpected turns. The title Abir Gulaal references the Hindu festival of colours, Holi.
This marks Fawad’s first Bollywood film since 2016, when an unofficial ban on Pakistani talent was imposed by Indian film associations following the Uri terrorist attacks.
Since then, tensions between India and Pakistan led to a complete freeze in creative collaborations.
However, in 2023, the Bombay High Court ruled against a petition calling for a permanent ban, calling it “a retrograde step in promoting cultural harmony.”
The legal shift has opened doors, and Fawad’s return feels symbolic of renewed cross-border dialogue.
“Art has no borders,” Bollywood veteran Sushmita Sen said at a recent event. “Creativity is born from freedom, and I wish that for everyone.”
Despite the buzz, not everyone is pleased. Right-wing political groups, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), have opposed the film’s release, citing national interest, reported India Today.
“We will not let the film release in India, and that’s final,” declared the MNS cinema wing president. Neither Fawad nor the film’s producers have publicly addressed the threats.
Still, optimism is running high. Actor Ridhi Dogra, who stars in the film, said: “The film’s tagline is ‘Bringing love back’. We hope to focus on love and the beautiful things in the world, because there’s already too much hatred.”
She added that the film has received “a lot more love than hate” since its teaser launched.
Pakistani fans, however, may not get to see the film in local cinemas, as Pakistan has continued its ban on Indian films, reported CNN.
“As a fan of both Pakistani dramas and Hindi cinema, I’ll be disappointed to miss out on this creative collaboration,” said Lahore-based journalist Abbas Hussain.
Industry insiders say Fawad’s return also signals a shift in Bollywood. “His comeback reminds us what art can truly achieve — collapsing national boundaries, bringing people closer, and giving fans a reason to smile,” said Indian film critic Tanul Thakur.
The stakes are high for Abir Gulaal. Reports suggest Fawad is charging between Rs5 crore and Rs10 crore for the project — significantly higher than his standard rate — while Vaani’s fee is said to be around Rs1.5 crore. The star-studded cast includes Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan and Ridhi.
With music by Arijit Singh and Shilpa Rao, and visuals shot on the charming streets of London, Abir Gulaal could ignite a new era of artistic collaboration or fuel further debate.
