Pakistani star Fawad Khan, Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor steal the show in Dubai: Actors talk 'Abir Gulaal'

Dubai: It’s not every day you walk into a press conference in Dubai where the male actor is objectified more than the female lead — but that’s exactly what unfolded on Monday afternoon when Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor faced the local media to promote their upcoming romantic comedy Abir Gulaal.

The crowd, mostly female influencers and select UAE press, erupted with whistles and catcalls every time Pakistani talent Fawad so much as leaned into the microphone.

One of the hosts even joked, “He could just say "tamatar and pyaaz" [tomato and onion in Hindi] and the crowd would go wild.” And honestly? They weren’t wrong. Forget acting — that baritone could carry a whole series on its own.

But Fawad, who was shamelessly objectified from the moment he walked in to talk up his new Bollywood film, took it all in stride, flashing that familiar smile and shrugging off the attention with grace.

But he did remind his adoring audience that there's more to him than his defined jawline.

“As long as they’re also seeing the body of work, I’m okay with it,” he said, proving once again why his appeal goes well beyond his looks.

The film they’re promoting, set in London and out in UAE cinemas on May 9th, is a throwback to simpler storytelling — a palate cleanser in today’s overly intense cinematic landscape. It's less Jeffrey Dahmer serial-killer gore fest and more Before Sunrise trilogy goodness.

“Everything is now very dark, very dramatic… This is like a simple dish. A few flavours. Easy to digest,” Fawad said, comparing the film to comfort food.

Vaani Kapoor, grounded and thoughtful, added,

“This film brings that flavour of realism. It’s not too dramatic, but it’s fun… just them being themselves.”

She also reflected on love in modern times:

“I’m old-fashioned. I believe in loyalty and commitment… You choose that person every day.”

Fawad also spoke fondly of Dubai, calling it “one of the few culinary capitals in the world,” and praising it as “one of the most hospitable cities — not just for its beautiful buildings, but because the people here have a lot of heart.”

And there was more light-heartedness when he remarked:

“The biggest mystery to me is how actresses like Vaani manage to wear those thin saris in cold locations — and still don’t shiver.”

Vaani laughed, as did the crowd — all too familiar with the Bollywood trope of chiffon-clad heroines dancing in snow while their co-stars stay cozy in suits.

At a press event where controversy of any kind or colour was avoided, the stars gave us something softer — and somehow, that felt radical.

It was all clean lines and cleaner questions — but amid the sanitised setting, the stars gave us softness, and honestly, it hit different.