MUMBAI: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is poised to make a comeback in the Indian film industry after a nearly nine-year hiatus with Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor in a romantic storyline, but this return is not without hurdles.
Bombay High Court lifting the ban on Pakistani actors in 2023. The ban, which was imposed after the 2016 Uri attack due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, prevented Pakistani artists from working in Bollywood.
However, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is vocally opposing the release of “Abir Gulaal” in Maharashtra.
Ameya Khopkar, the head of the MNS’s Chitrapat wing, has threatened to protest against the film and any other projects featuring Pakistani artists.
Khopkar has openly challenged the film’s producers, urging them to “show the courage to release it.” He reaffirmed the MNS’s stance against Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, citing a prior agreement made with political leaders regarding the future of films featuring Pakistani talent.
As anticipation builds for the film’s scheduled release on May 9, the situation leaves fans wondering whether Fawad’s long-awaited return will be met with the enthusiasm it deserves or mired in conflict.
On the other hand, many netizens expressed excitement about Fawad’s re-entry in Bollywood.
Fawad’s last appearance in Indian cinema was in the 2016 film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” where he shared the screen with stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.
The upcoming film “Abir Gulaal” may just be the pivotal moment he needs to reclaim his place in Bollywood, should he navigate these emerging challenges successfully.
