‘Jawan’ actor Ridhi Dogra on signing film with Fawad Khan

Abir Gulaal’ marks Pakistani star’s return to Bollywood

Shortly after India lifted the ban on Pakistani actors from working in Bollywood, Fawad Khan marked his return to the neighbouring entertainment industry with the announcement of his upcoming film, Abir Gulaal, in which he stars alongside Vaani Kapoor.

During an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Abir Gulaal co-actor Ridhi Dogra revealed that she ensured legal checks were clear before signing on a project with Fawad Khan. “I don’t think there’s a division in art. Whenever we watch something, we watch it for the characters. We don’t wonder who the actors are and where they come from. We don’t see all that. We don’t see nationality. That’s what I kept in mind when choosing to work on the film,” she observed.

“The only care I took was in confirming whether or not I am allowed to work with said nationality (Pakistanis). And yes, our country and government grant us the permission to do so. I did that homework. Now, since that is allowed, I have the freedom (to take on this project). If it wasn’t allowed, I wouldn’t have done it,” she further elaborated.

Ridhi also shared that since she was a child, people would tell her to pursue a career abroad due to this possibility being spiritually beneficial to her. However, it was the love that she has for her national heritage that keeps her working in her native industry.

The involved actors flew to London and began filming for the project in October. Director Aarti S Bagdi told Variety that the romantic-comedy narrative serves as a healing journey for the two leading characters, who also discover love along the way.

Fawad’s return to the industry is symbolic of recent developments, following the total ban imposed by the AICWA (All Indian Cine Workers Association) on Pakistani actors in 2019, as per India Today. The ban was put into effect after tensions between the two countries over Kashmir’s disputed territory escalated into the Pulwama attack.

In late 2023, however, the Bombay High Court relaxed the imposed restrictions, with the Supreme Court further dismissing the petition to ban Indian citizens from working with Pakistani artistes, as per LiveLaw. Even so, entertainers continue to exercise caution.

Fawad’s last Bollywood project was the 2016 romance film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, in which he played the role of a secondary love interest. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as lovesick musician Ayan who is romantically devoted to Anushka Sharma’s Alizeh. The narrative of passion also casted Aishwarya Rai in a crucial role and introduced hit tracks such as Channa Mereya.