Pakistan: After the Indian cinema federation imposed a ban on Fawad Khan’s Bollywood film Abir Gulaal, Pakistani filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi urged the government to require Pakistani actors to seek a no-objection certificate (NoC) before signing any Indian projects.
Qureshi stressed that it’s a matter of the country's dignity, saying actors must show integrity not just as artists but as Pakistanis, especially when India continues to impose blanket bans regardless of incidents like the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Qureshi pointed out that speculations around the film’s release had existed even before, and now with the new developments, it’s nearly impossible for Abir Gulaal to be released in India. The film had recently launched its music in Dubai, but after the Pahalgam attack, two of its songs, ‘Khudaya Ishq’ and ‘Angreji Rangrasiya,’ were taken down from YouTube India, further complicating its promotional efforts.
Pakistani film critic and journalist Kamran Jawaid remarked that the situation was not entirely unexpected. He noted that even if the recent tragedy hadn’t occurred, another reason would have likely been used to block the release. Jawaid added that while Pakistani cinema-goers would warmly welcome the film, any attempt to release it in India could create serious issues given FWICE’s strong anti-Pakistan stance.
Nadeem Mandviwalla, a prominent film importer and distributor, expressed that India’s decision to ban the movie is understandable under the present circumstances. He mentioned that allegedly Pakistan also refused permission for the movie’s release. Despite political tensions, Mandviwalla emphasized that actors play a vital role in promoting peace and love, and any efforts toward collaboration should be appreciated whenever possible.
Jawaid also highlighted that Pakistani actors should prioritize building the local entertainment industry rather than chasing Bollywood projects for a larger audience or higher pay. He emphasized that the belief in arts transcending borders only holds true when there is mutual respect and cooperation from both sides, which, given the fragile ties between Pakistan and India, remains a difficult goal to achieve.
