Fawad Khan’s much-anticipated Bollywood comeback with Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor, has been indefinitely shelved amid the escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. The film, which was originally planned to hit theatres globally on May 9, 2025, was officially put on hold after the horrifying Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025. This decision was made despite the grand music launch event of the film that took place in Dubai. Now, Amit Trivedi, who composed the film’s soundtrack, has reacted to the turn of events.
Amit Trivedi talks about the decision not to release Abir Gulaal amid India-Pakistan tensions
Amit Trivedi is a national award-winning music composer and singer who was mainly responsible for scoring the soundtrack of the Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor-starrer Abir Gulaal. In a recent conversation with Hindustan Times, the singer broke his silence and reacted to the unfortunate turn of events. Stating that the decision to hold the film’s release was made keeping India in mind, Amit Trivedi said:
“The decision (to not release the film) was taken keeping India first, and I am in support of it completely.”
The music composer also added that he would support the ban of any film that he scores its soundtrack for or works in as long as it concerns the safety and dignity of the country. Acknowledging that it hurts when projects face trouble, given the hard work that goes into creating them, the Iktara singer remarked:
“Yes, it hurts when a project faces trouble. Not just this film, but anything I work on with all the honesty and hard work becomes a part of me. So, a project getting stalled is bound to disappoint you. We make music for the audience, and as artists, that’s all you want. But in this case, the scenario was very different. My country comes first, above everything else.”
Fawad Khan’s Bollywood return thwarted again amid Indo-Pak tensions
Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan was all set to make his comeback to Indian cinema after a 9-year hiatus. His last work in Bollywood was in 2016 with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, which also faced backlash in the wake of the Uri attacks. This time, in light of the Pahalgam incident, Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal’s release was thwarted indefinitely.
After the Pahalgam tragedy, Fawad Khan had expressed his grief on social media, calling it a ‘heinous’ and ‘shameful attack’. Taking to his Instagram stories, the actor sent prayers for the victims and their families and wrote:
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time.”
India bans Fawad Khan and other Pakistani artists
Not long after this incident, India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7-8, 2025. Reacting to the incident, the Khoobsurat actor slammed India for the ‘shameful attack’, praying for the lives lost and declaring, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Several Pakistani celebrities, including Fawad, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, and Ali Zafar, have had their Instagram accounts blocked in India, further reflecting the rising digital and diplomatic frost. As of now, the possibility of their return to India remains a limbo.
What do you think about Amit Trivedi’s response to the shelving of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal?
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