Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has once again become the target of a boycott campaign in India after a deadly attack in Pahalgam (Anantnag), a scenic tourist destination in occupied Kashmir. The incident, which occurred on April 22, left 24 people dead, including tourists and Indian army personnel.

Following the attack, several Indian film organizations and social media users reignited calls for a ban on Pakistani artists and demanded a boycott of Fawad Khan’s upcoming film ‘Abir Gulal’, which is set to release on May 9.

‘No Room for Pakistani Actors’ — A Renewed Narrative

According to Indian media outlets like Times of India and Times Now, users on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) questioned whether it was acceptable to release a film starring a Pakistani actor at a time when national sentiment is inflamed due to the recent violence.

“Even after the Pahalgam attack, are we still casting Pakistani actors in our films?” one user questioned, reflecting a widely shared sentiment on Indian social media.

Some users linked the recent attack to a pattern, referring to the 2016 Uri attack, which occurred shortly before the release of Fawad Khan’s previous Bollywood film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. At that time, tensions led to a mutual ban between India and Pakistan on artistic collaborations.

History Repeats, But With Higher Stakes?

Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema through Abir Gulal marks his first Bollywood appearance in nearly a decade, and the film is currently being promoted internationally, including a major media appearance in Dubai alongside Indian actress Vaani Kapoor.

However, right-wing groups and Hindu extremists have already been opposing the film prior to the Pahalgam incident, citing political and nationalistic grounds. The recent violence has now been used as fuel to intensify calls for a ban.

Despite growing pressure, the production team behind Abir Gulal has confirmed that the film will release on its original date, standing firm against the wave of controversy.

Political Tensions Impacting Creative Spaces

This controversy once again highlights the fragile nature of Indo-Pak cultural exchanges, which often become entangled in geopolitical tensions. It also raises questions about freedom of expression, cross-border artistic collaboration, and whether political conflict should dictate art.

With the countdown to the film’s release underway, Abir Gulal finds itself at the intersection of politics, patriotism, and pop culture — sparking debate across both nations.

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