A peep into ‘Abir Gulaal’: 2025’s Most Controversial Film Released on 12th September Worldwide, Banned in India
A peep into ‘Abir Gulaal’: 2025’s Most Controversial Film Released on 12th September Worldwide, Banned in India
Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback with Vaani Kapoor hits global screens in 75 countries despite strong opposition at home
The year 2025 has seen several big films at the box office, but none has generated as much controversy as Abir Gulaal. Starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in his much-anticipated Bollywood comeback alongside Vaani Kapoor, the film has been at the centre of heated debates for months. Despite being blocked from release in India, it is finally hitting theatres across 75 countries worldwide from September 12, 2025.
Industry insiders reveal that the film’s trailer was even taken down from YouTube India under pressure from two major organisations — the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). Both bodies strongly opposed the release of Abir Gulaal in India, citing ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Their protest effectively ensured that the film’s Indian release became nearly impossible.
The controversy has cast a shadow over Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood, nearly nine years after his last appearance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). Known for acclaimed roles in Kapoor and Sons and other films, Khan’s pairing with Vaani Kapoor has been a major talking point, adding further curiosity among international audiences.
The film is jointly produced by Indian Stories and A Richer Lens Entertainment, with Vivek Aggarwal, Avantika Hari, and Rakesh Sippy as producers. Trade analysts note that the makers may have adopted a strategy similar to Diljit Dosanjh’s Sardarji 3, which earned heavily overseas despite a limited release in India.
Given the international buzz, expectations are high that Abir Gulaal will perform strongly in foreign markets, even as its release in India remains blocked indefinitely. For now, the film’s fate lies outside Indian shores but its controversies have already made it one of the most talked-about projects of the year.
