India has blocked the release of ‘Abir Gulal’, a new movie starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The move follows a deadly terror attack in Kashmir, reportedly backed by Pakistan, which killed 26 Indian tourists.
Officials from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry confirmed the film won’t hit Indian theatres. It was directed by Aarti S Bagdi and also stars Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor.
The Indian government’s reaction to the Pahalgam attack has been tough and wide-ranging. Actions include downgrading diplomatic ties, suspending the Indus Water Treaty, and shutting down the Attari check post.
Film industry bodies like FWICE have also stepped in, calling for a total ban on Pakistani artists working in India. They re-issued their non-cooperation directive on Wednesday.
Fawad Khan broke his silence on Instagram, expressing sadness over the attack and offering prayers to victims’ families. Co-star Vaani Kapoor also shared an emotional post online, mourning the loss.
The movie was supposed to release on May 9, but plans have now been shelved indefinitely. Meanwhile, relations between the two countries continue to spiral downhill.