Script Snubbed by Stars Finds Its Shine with Fawad Khan

Fawad Khan's much-awaited Bollywood comeback, Abir Gulaal, was to be a milestone romantic comedy, reportedly after Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, and Shahid Kapoor declined the top role. Produced by Vivek B. Agrawal and helmed by Aarti S. Bagdi, the film cast Khan opposite Vaani Kapoor and was planned for a grand release on May 9, 2025. Whispers in the trade were that the film had all the makings of a blockbuster and would have a good box office run.

 

But since the Pahalgam terror attack and increased diplomatic tensions, Indian cinemas have started avoiding having a movie with a Pakistani actor, and the film has been put on indefinite hold. Despite the A-list cast and good production pedigree, Abir Gulaal's box office fate-and its potential record revenues-are out of reach as political realities trump artistic hopes.

 

Source: Times of India, Wikipedia, Arab News