Release of ‘Abir Gulaal’ pushed back worldwide

Much-anticipated romantic drama to hit Pakistani cinemas next week

While Pakistani audiences will see Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated Bollywood comeback ‘Abir Gulaal’ on August 29, as planned, the film’s global rollout has been delayed once again.

The romantic drama co-starring Vaani Kapoor will now release across more than 1,000 screens in 75 countries on September 12, marking the third shift in its international release date. However, it still remains barred from Indian cinemas due to the continuing ban on Pakistani artists.

‘Abir Gulaal’ was first scheduled for release on May 9, before being moved to August 29. That date holds steady for Pakistan, but international distributors have now confirmed the film will arrive overseas in mid-September.

The repeated adjustments reflect both production factors and the political backdrop. Following the Pulwama attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in April, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reinforced its ban on Pakistani talent.

Pressure from industry groups such as the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) further entrenched the restriction.

Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, known for ‘Chalti Rahe Zindagi’, ‘Abir Gulaal’ is produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens and Aarjay Pictures, with co-producers Vivek B Agarwal, Avantika Hari and Rakesh Sippy.

The film stars Fawad Khan as a UK-based chef, opposite Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor. Blending romance with cross-cultural themes, it also features Lisa Hayden, Ridhi Dogra, Parmeet Sethi and veteran actor Farida Jalal.

The soundtrack, composed by Amit Trivedi, has helped maintain momentum. Several songs were released ahead of the feature and have gained popularity online, keeping audiences engaged despite the shifting release timeline.

‘Abir Gulaal’ marks Fawad Khan’s first Bollywood role in nearly a decade. His Indian film debut came in 2014 with ‘Khoobsurat’, followed by acclaimed performances in ‘Kapoor & Sons’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.

The latter was his final Bollywood project before the 2016 ban on Pakistani artists, which froze multiple collaborations and projects. That ban was reaffirmed earlier this year, halting both ‘Abir Gulaal’ in India and ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, featuring Pakistani actor Hania Aamir.

For fans, ‘Abir Gulaal’ represents not only Fawad’s return to an Indian production but also a test of whether such projects can find success without access to Indian cinemas.

The journey of ‘Abir Gulaal’ illustrates the ongoing difficulty of cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan. While audiences across the region remain enthusiastic about cross-border collaborations, political restrictions continue to narrow the space for such projects.

Nevertheless, the film’s international strategy points to confidence from its backers. With screenings planned across 75 countries and an opening on more than 1,000 screens, ‘Abir Gulaal’ is poised for one of the widest overseas releases of any South Asian film this year.

Trade observers suggest that diaspora audiences in North America, Europe and the Middle East will be central to its box office performance. The popularity of the soundtrack has further strengthened expectations for a strong opening weekend.

In Pakistan, where the August 29 release is proceeding as scheduled, anticipation is running high. Fans eager to see Fawad Khan on screen again opposite a Bollywood co-star have driven significant pre-release buzz.