Just a week after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives, the release of a Bollywood movie starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has been stopped in India. The film, called Abir Gulal, was supposed to release on May 9. But now, government sources have said it will not be allowed to release in the country.

This decision was taken because people are still very upset after the terror attack. Many social media users have demanded a ban on the film and questioned why Pakistani artistes are still allowed to work in Indian movies. Some political parties and film groups have also supported the idea of banning such work with Pakistani actors.

Fawad Khan, who is a well-known actor in both India and Pakistan, has now become the centre of this new controversy. The film Abir Gulal, directed by Aarti S Bagdi, is being targeted mainly because of Khan’s role in it. The film’s song Khudaya Ishq has also been removed from YouTube following the outrage.

Javed Akhtar speaks on the issue

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has shared his thoughts on the matter. While speaking to news agency PTI, the Sholay writer said that, for now, Pakistani artistes should not be allowed to work in India.

He explained his view by pointing out the lack of equal cultural exchange between the two countries. “The first question should be whether we should allow the Pakistani artistes here. There are two answers, and both are equally logical. It was one-way traffic; Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jahan came to India, and we gave them a great reception. Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who is a poet of the subcontinent, was living in Pakistan when he came to India during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime. He was treated like a state head, the kind of respect given by the government. I am afraid this has never been reciprocated,” said Akhtar.

He added, “I have no complaints with the people of Pakistan. Big poets of Pakistan have written for the songs of Lata Mangeshkar. She was hands down the most popular artiste in India and Pakistan in the 60s and 70s, but why was there not a single performance of Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan? I won't complain to the people of Pakistan; she was loved, but there was some blockage. The blockage was a system which I don't understand. This is one-way traffic. The second is equally valid; if we block Pakistani artistes, who are we pleasing in Pakistan? The Army and the fundamentalists – is this what they want? They want distance; it suits them. Both these questions are equally valid. At this moment, I would say no.”

Legal and political reactions

Although the Bombay High Court had rejected a petition in 2023 that asked for a complete ban on Pakistani artistes in India, the topic remains highly sensitive. Many political leaders and film associations are still against working with Pakistani actors, singers, or directors.

For now, Abir Gulal will not be released in India, and the debate over cross-border cultural ties continues.

 

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