Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan returns to Bollywood with Vaani Kapoor in romantic drama Abir Gulaal: All about the unofficial ban

Dubai: Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan is all set to make his much-awaited Bollywood comeback opposite actress Vaani Kapoor in the upcoming romantic drama Abir Gulaal.

Officially announced last year, the film dropped its highly-anticipated teaser on April 1, giving fans a glimpse of the upcoming romantic drama.

Set to release on May 9, 2025, Abir Gulaal is already generating buzz online. The teaser, which features Fawad and Vaani in a car vibing to the iconic track “Kuch Na Kaho” from 1942: A Love Story.

Sharing the teaser on social media, the makers captioned it: “The wait is over! Bringing love back to the big screen with Abir Gulaal and @fawadkhan81. A Richer Lens film. See you in cinemas on 9th May!”. The film is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and the music is composed by Amit Trivedi. Actress Ridhi Dogra also features in a key role.

Interestingly, Abir Gulaal is set for a box office face-off with Rajkummar Rao’s dark comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf, releasing on the same day.

Fawad Khan, who last appeared in Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), had been absent from the Hindi film scene due to an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in India following the Uri terror attack. The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) had passed a resolution discouraging collaborations with Pakistani talent.

However, in 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking an official ban on Pakistani artists.

According to reports, the court emphasised that arts, music, sports, culture, and dance transcend nationalities and borders, fostering peace, unity, and harmony both within and between nations.