Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor's upcoming romantic comedy Abir Gulaal has found itself at the center of a growing controversy following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
The film, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, has been facing mounting backlash on social media, leading to the removal of its songs from YouTube. The public outrage was amplified by the association of a Pakistani actor with an Indian film project during a time of national mourning and heightened tensions.
Amid the backlash, Reliance Entertainment and RSP (Reliance Studio Productions) have publicly distanced themselves from the project. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Reliance Entertainment clarified:
“This is to clarify that Reliance Entertainment and RSP are not associated in any form or manner whatsoever with the project mentioned in this tweet. The use of our logos is unauthorised and is misleading audiences about our involvement or association. We respectfully request that the logos be removed at the earliest to avoid any further confusion.”
The statement followed reports that promotional materials for Abir Gulaal featured Reliance’s branding, leading to widespread speculation about the company’s involvement.
In light of the national sentiment following the Pahalgam massacre, Indian authorities have decided to ban the release of Abir Gulaal in India. The film's producers have yet to issue an official response regarding the ban or the unauthorized use of Reliance’s branding.
While Abir Gulaal was positioned as a light-hearted romantic comedy, its timing and cross-border casting have drawn criticism in the wake of a national tragedy. With tensions running high, the film’s future remains uncertain, and the situation continues to evolve.