Vaani Kapoor & Fawad Khan's Abir Gulaal To Release Worldwide On THIS Date, Makers To Skip India

The controversial film, Abir Gulaal, starring Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was left in the lurch after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor earlier this year. But looks like the film is now finally set to make its way into theatres, however, it might never see the light of the day in India.

According to a report in Biz Asia, Abir Gulaal is all set to premiere worldwide on August 29. But due to the tension between India and Pakistan, and the nation's ban on Pakistani artists, the film will not release in India.

Abir Gulaal's initial release in India

It was earlier supposed to hit the silver screens in India as well on May 9, however, it got pushed indefinitely due to India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor on Pakistan. All Pakistani artists were then banned in the country, with Indian film bodies announcing that any artist found working with the people of the neighbouring country will face strict consequences.

Thus, Abir Gulaal never released in India, but looks like the makers have decided to unveil it in other parts of the world.

Interestingly, the teaser and song of Abir Gulaal had received a highly-positive response in India, before tensions escalated between the two countries. Desi fans of Fawad Khan were over the moon on the prospect of the actor's return to Indian screens after 9 years.

But the Pahalgam attack shifted the sentiments drastically, and Indians unanimously decided to boycott the film.

Vaani Kapoor's reaction to Abir Gulaal controversy

After Abir Gulaal was banned in India, Vaani found herself at the receiving end of severe criticism, and people even demanded that the actress be "cancelled" and "boycotted". Reacting to the hate, the actress said at a recent event, "I feel there's so much toxicity and hate that I keep hearing... 'aaj isko boycott kar do, aaj isko cancel kar do'. Mat karo yaar, have room and let people be."

Actress Ridhi Dogra, who was also a part of Abir Gulaal, said that the situation between the two countries was fine when she signed and shot the film. "Don't bully me. I am as much a citizen of this country as you. When I did that work, I was very mindful of the laws of our country. I didn't do anything illegal. And today, when we are in this situation, I feel I want to stand by my country, my armed forces," she had said.