The fate of Abir Gulaal, the much-anticipated film starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, has taken a major turn after the recent attack in Pahalgam, IIOJK, on April 22.
The film, which was already facing challenges regarding its release in India, is now embroiled in further controversy, with its music being pulled from various platforms.
Reports confirm that Saregama, the audio company behind the film's music, has decided to remove the songs from YouTube and other music streaming services. An Indian magazine reports that Saregama uploaded the film's jukebox on April 19, just before its grand music launch event in Dubai. The launch had been well-received, but after the attack, calls for a ban on the film's release in India intensified."
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The same source revealed that, fearing a significant backlash, Saregama took the precautionary step of pulling down the songs and deleting social media posts related to the film. The company seems to have made this decision to avoid further controversy, especially with the growing demand for a ban on the film.
Industry insiders have pointed out that Abir Gulaal was already facing a tough road to release in India, and the recent terrorist attack has complicated the situation. One source commented, "While there were hopes for a peaceful resolution, the attack has created a major shift in sentiment. The film now faces greater opposition than before."
Earlier, the movie was scheduled for a May 9 release. The film also stars Indian actress Vaani Kapoor and is directed by Aarti S Bagdi. Produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, the project faced opposition from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) earlier this month, even before the attack occurred, due to ongoing strained ties between India and Pakistan. The backlash intensified following the tragedy.
According to sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India, several cinema chains declined to screen the film, and multiple entertainment bodies urged a boycott. The ministry has now reportedly denied the film’s release altogether.
In the aftermath, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing over 500,000 industry professionals, reiterated its long-standing ban on Pakistani talent in Indian media. “We are compelled to enforce a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists... Anyone violating this will face disciplinary action,” FWICE stated.
