Latest news with #AabeerGulaal
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's Bollywood comeback gets release date, except in India
A long-delayed Indian film, which was meant to mark the Bollywood comeback for Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will now be released worldwide – except in India. Aabeer Gulaal, which was earlier titled Abir Gulaal, is a romantic comedy with Khan and Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor in the lead roles. Kapoor plays Gulaal, who escapes an arrange marriage and goes to London, where she meets Khan's Aabeer, a restaurateur with a complicated past. Despite their differences, the two are drawn to each other and romance blossoms, but fate has other plans for them. Originally scheduled to be released on May 9, the film was delayed following the April 22 killing of 26 people when militants opened fire in the resort area of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, which Pakistan denied, leading to armed skirmishes between the two countries lasting over two weeks. As a result of the tension, India's broadcasting ministry said it would not allow Aabeer Gulaal to be released in the country. Pakistani distributors responded with a similar decision, effectively putting the film's future in doubt. On Monday, distributor Indian Stories Limited announced the film would release globally on August 29, except in India. Pakistani actors and musicians were once thriving in Bollywood. However, following the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 Indian security personnel and brought the two countries to the brink of war, a boycott on all Pakistani artists was instituted by an organisation representing Indian film workers. Khan, a massive star in Pakistan, was a rising star in Bollywood with roles in acclaimed films such as Khoobsurat (2014) and Kapoor & Sons (2016). In 2023, the Mumbai High Court ruled against a petition seeking to ban Pakistani artists from working in India. 'Arts, music, sports, culture, dance and so on are the activities which rise above nationalities, cultures and nations, and truly bring about peace, tranquillity, unity and harmony in nation and between nations,' the court said in its ruling.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Fawad Khan–Vaani's Abir Gulaal skips India, to release worldwide on August 29
'Abir Gulaal', a romantic drama featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actor Vaani Kapoor, is scheduled to release worldwide on August 29, excluding India. This follows the postponement of its Indian release after Pahalgam terror attack in film, previously titled "Abir Gulaal", will be shown in over 75 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. "'Aabeer Gulaal' will be releasing on August 29 worldwide except India. It is releasing in 75+ countries like UK, UAE, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand," a source close to the film confirmed PTI. In the UK, the film will be distributed by Indian Stories set for an Indian release on May 9, the movie's debut was halted following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. After the attack, several trade organisations, including the All Indian Cine Workers Association, called for a ban on Pakistani artistes in the Indian film industry. The film, directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Vivek Agrawal, would have marked Khan's return to Bollywood. However, his social media accounts and those of several other Pakistani artistes were blocked in India. The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan contributed to this as a "feel-good, fiery romance", 'Abir Gulaal' explores themes of unexpected connections and second chances. "What begins as rivalry slowly simmers into something deeper neither is ready for. But love demands more than chemistry — it asks them both to heal, forgive, and grow," says the official film's makers' decision to proceed with an international release mirrors the strategy of Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's 'Sardaar Ji 3'. 'Sardaar Ji 3' was released in overseas territories amid controversy over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. The film was released worldwide on June 27, except for India. At the time, Dosanjh had defended the decision, saying the movie's producers are already facing losses due to a ban on Pakistani artistes in India and in such a scenario, it is justified to release the film overseas."The ongoing controversy over the ban on Pakistani artistes has affected many projects and releases in Bollywood. This has prompted filmmakers to target international audiences to recoup potential from Fawad and Vaani, 'Abir Gulaal' features Lisa Haydon, Ridhi Dogra, Parmeet Sethi, and veteran actor Farida Jalal, among others.- EndsYou May Also Like
The Print
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Print
Fawad Khan-Vaani Kapoor's ‘Aabeer Gulaal' to release worldwide except India on August 29
''Aabeer Gulaal' will be releasing on August 29 worldwide except India. It is releasing in 75+ countries like UK, UAE, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,' the source told PTI. A source close to the film said the movie, which was earlier titled 'Abir Gulaal', will release in theatres in over 75 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Mumbai, Aug 11 (PTI) Months after its India release was stalled following the Pahalgam terror attack, romantic drama movie 'Aabeer Gulaal', starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is now set to hit overseas screens on August 29. In the UK, the film will be distributed by Indian Stories Limited. The movie, directed by Aarti S Bagdi, was slated for release in India on May 9 but found itself at the centre of a huge controversy in the aftermath of April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in south Kashmir, in which 26 people lost their lives. Many trade organisations, including All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE), reiterated their call for a ban on Pakistani artists in the Indian film industry. The release of the film, which would have marked Khan's comeback to Bollywood, was cancelled. Khan's social media accounts, along with those of many other prominent Pakistani actors, including Hania, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, were also blocked in India. Hostilities between India and Pakistan escalated further after Indian armed forces carried out strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, in an operation codenamed Operation Sindoor. 'Aabeer Gulaal' is produced by Vivek Agrawal. It also features Lisa Haydon, Ridhi Dogra, Parmeet Sethi and veteran actor Farida Jalal. The film is described as a 'feel-good, fiery romance about unexpected connections, second chances, and learning to make space for love'. 'When spirited Gulaal (Kapoor) escapes an arranged marriage and lands in London, she crashes into the life of Aabeer Singh (Khan)— a guarded restaurateur with a complicated past. Their lives collide through chaos, dance classes, and unexpected late-night rescues. 'What begins as rivalry slowly simmers into something deeper neither is ready for. But love demands more than chemistry — it asks them both to heal, forgive, and grow,' according to the official logline. Recently, Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's 'Sardaar Ji 3' was released in overseas territories amid controversy over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. The film was released worldwide on June 27, except for India. At the time, Dosanjh had defended the decision, saying the movie's producers are already facing losses due to ban on Pakistani artists in India and in such a scenario, it is justified to release the film overseas. PTI KKP RB RB BK BK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor's 'Abir Gulaal' set for global release on August 29
Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor's 'Abir Gulaal', postponed after the Pahalgam attack due to backlash against Pakistani artists, is now set for a global release on August 29 under the new title 'Aabeer Gulaal'. The film may not release in India but aims for success overseas, following similar Punjabi films. After much delay and controversy over the release of Fawad Khan 's Bollywood comeback film 'Abir Gulaal', the film is finally set for its release. Originally scheduled to hit theatres on May 9, reports on Biz Asia state that the movie, renamed 'Aabeer Gulaal', is slated for a global theatrical release on August 29. While the report does not specify any plans for release in India, industry insiders believe that, given the prevailing backlash against Pakistani artists, the film is unlikely to be officially released in the Indian market. The film's release in India was halted following the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22. There was strong opposition within the industry toward Pakistani artists working in the Indian film industry. This backlash led to the film's release being postponed indefinitely, raising concerns that it might never debut. Following the successful overseas film model An industry insider revealed to the portal that the makers of Abir Gulaal intend to take the same approach as 'Sardaar Ji 3'. That film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, wasn't released in India due to the presence of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, yet it achieved impressive box office success internationally. Likewise, 'Chal Mera Putt 4', another Punjabi movie, was launched only outside India and turned out to be a big hit. Whether 'Abir Gulaal' will follow the same path and succeed overseas remains to be seen. Promotions halted after Pahalgam attack Prior to the Pahalgam attack, the promotional activities for 'Abir Gulaal' were progressing actively. The film's music launch took place on April 19 at Dubai's Global Village and was warmly received by both fans and media. However, the situation took a drastic turn after the attack, and just two days later, the audio company Saregama decided to pull the film's songs from circulation.
