Fawad Khan’s much-talked-about return to Hindi cinema, opposite Vaani Kapoor in Abir Gulaal, is finally happening—albeit without an Indian release. The romantic drama, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, is set to premiere worldwide later this month after months of uncertainty.
Initially slated for a May 9 release, the film’s plans were derailed following the Pahalgam terror attack, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The backlash was swift—calls for a ban on Pakistani artists resurfaced, leading to the shelving of the theatrical release in India. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) even announced a complete non-cooperation stance toward Pakistani talent in the Indian entertainment industry.
Now, according to a BizAsia report, Abir Gulaal will open in 75 countries—including the UK, UAE, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—on August 29. A source quoted by PTI confirmed, “The film will release worldwide except in India.”
Despite the earlier enthusiasm for its teaser and soundtrack, the film faced heavy trolling online, with both Fawad and Vaani becoming targets. The production house eventually removed the songs from its YouTube channel in response to the criticism.
Abir Gulaal follows the story of two strangers whose chance encounter leads to an unexpected bond, offering each other comfort and companionship. The ensemble cast features Riddhi Dogra, Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, and Parmeet Sethi.
While Indian audiences will miss seeing it on the big screen, the film’s global debut marks a significant chapter in Fawad Khan’s on-screen journey after a long gap from Bollywood.