Pakistani filmmakers and showbiz personalities have reacted strongly to India’s ban on Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal.

Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi urged the government to require Pakistani actors to obtain a no-objection certificate (NoC) before signing any Indian projects, following the Indian cinema federation’s decision to ban Fawad Khan’s Bollywood film Abir Gulaal.

“It’s a matter of the country’s dignity,” Qureshi told the media. “In the future, as India continues to impose blanket bans on Pakistan, our government should also make it mandatory for actors to seek a NoC before working on any projects there.”

He added, “Our actors must show integrity not just as artists but also as Pakistanis. India clearly does not welcome them, as shown again despite the recent Pahalgam terror attack.”

Qureshi noted that speculations around the film’s release had been circulating for some time, and now, releasing the film in India seems impossible.

The team launched the promotion of Abir Gulaal in Dubai with a music event. However, two songs from the film — Khudaya Ishq and Angreji Rangrasiya — have been removed from YouTube India following the Pahalgam attack.

“This was not unexpected,” said Pakistani film critic and journalist Kamran Jawaid. “If not for the recent tragedy in Pahalgam, India would have found another reason — big, small, legitimate, or otherwise — to act.”

Jawaid stated that cinema-goers in Pakistan would warmly welcome the film. However, he warned that FWICE’s strong anti-Pakistan stance would discourage attempts to release the film in India, as doing so could worsen the situation there.

Leading Pakistani film importer and distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla, who also owns a cinema in Karachi, said he found India’s decision to ban the film “understandable” under the current circumstances.

“Allegedly, Pakistan has also refused to grant permission for the movie’s release,” he added. “Actors will always have a role in promoting peace and love. It’s commendable when both sides attempt to foster better relations.”

Meanwhile, Jawaid emphasized that Pakistani actors should focus more on strengthening their local film industry rather than pursuing Bollywood collaborations.

“They should not chase Bollywood projects just because the audience is bigger or the pay is higher,” he said. “The idea that ‘arts transcend borders’ or that ‘arts can make a difference’ only holds true when there is equal reciprocation from both sides.”Pahalgam Attack Sparks Calls to Ban Fawad Khan’s ‘Abir Gulaal’

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