Backlash, protests incoming? Fawad-Vaani's 'Aabeer Gulaal' will release in India; date set

The much-talked-about Indo-Pak film Aabeer Gulaal is back in the headlines. After releasing across the globe on September 12, reports now suggest that the Fawad Khan–Vaani Kapoor romance will finally arrive in Indian theatres on September 26. For a film that has already faced months of political heat and public backlash, this is more than just a release date, it’s a litmus test for how India receives cross-border collaborations in a tense climate.

A Film That Almost Didn’t Make It Here

Aabeer Gulaal was originally slated for a May 9 release in India. But the plan went off track after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and India’s swift retaliatory Operation Sindoor. Diplomatic ties soured and, in the wake of rising nationalist sentiment, calls to ban Pakistani artists grew louder. The film, starring Pakistan’s beloved Fawad Khan opposite Bollywood’s Vaani Kapoor, found itself at the centre of a storm.

Fawad’s return to Indian cinema after nearly nine years had generated huge excitement when the teaser and songs first dropped. But as tempers flared, social media turned into a battleground. Vaani faced a wave of online abuse for continuing with the project. She spoke out recently, urging people to step back from the cycle of boycotts and hate: “Mat karo yaar, have room and let people be.”

From Setback to Second Chance

Despite the charged atmosphere, the makers held their ground. Produced by Vivek B Agrawal, Raza Namazi and Firuzi Khan and directed by Aarti S Bagdi, Aabeer Gulaal tells a gentle story of two wounded souls finding love in unexpected places. With music by Amit Trivedi and lyrics by Kumaar, it promises a blend of heartfelt emotions and rich melodies, a reminder that art can thrive even when politics intrudes.

The decision to release it in India two weeks after its international debut is both bold and strategic. September 26 is a relatively empty weekend at the box office, which could give the film a solo run without direct competition. But the real question isn’t about ticket sales. It’s whether the conversation around the film can move from political outrage to the story itself.

Will Protests Overshadow the Romance?

India has seen flashpoints before when it comes to Pakistani talent in cinema. From Fawad Khan’s earlier projects to other artists facing bans, the pattern is familiar: nationalist groups threaten protests, political voices demand boycotts, and filmmakers walk a tightrope. Whether Aabeer Gulaal will face similar ground-level resistance remains to be seen.

So far, there has been no official confirmation from the distributors about the Indian release. Even if the date holds, security and local administration will play a key role in ensuring screenings happen smoothly. A peaceful release would signal a shift—showing that audiences can separate art from politics. But any flare-up could once again deepen the divide and make future collaborations nearly impossible.

What This Means for Artists Across Borders

For Fawad Khan, Aabeer Gulaal is more than just a comeback. It’s a test of whether Indian audiences still embrace him despite the political noise. For Vaani Kapoor and the rest of the ensemble like Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, Parmeet Sethi, and Rahul Vohra, it’s a chance to prove that storytelling can rise above national boundaries.

If the film opens without incident, it could reopen doors for cross-border projects and perhaps even prompt platforms to rethink their quiet restrictions, like the blocking of Pakistani actors’ social media profiles in India. But if protests gain traction, the fallout may make producers even more cautious about such partnerships.

Waiting for the Final Word

Right now, everything hinges on an official announcement and the mood on the ground. Aabeer Gulaal is not just another romantic drama; it has become a symbol of how art and politics collide in South Asia. Whether it plays out as a celebration of love or a flashpoint for controversy will only be clear in the weeks to come.