Songs from Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor’s ‘Abir Gulaal’ Removed from YouTube Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
In the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists and left many others injured, tensions have escalated within the entertainment industry. Amid widespread outrage and boycott calls on social media, songs from the upcoming Indo-Pakistani collaboration film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood star Vaani Kapoor, have been pulled down from YouTube.
The romantic ballad Khudaaya Ishq and the upbeat dance track Angrezi Rangrasiya were both released earlier in April and were gaining traction among audiences. However, as of April 25, both tracks have been removed from the film’s official YouTube channel under A Richer Lens Entertainment, as well as from the official channel of music label Saregama. The decision to remove the songs appears to be a direct response to the growing backlash against the film due to its cross-border collaboration.
The backlash began after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where armed militants targeted tourist buses, resulting in one of the deadliest civilian attacks in recent times. Public sentiment quickly turned against Abir Gulaal once it was revealed that the film involved a Pakistani actor in a prominent role. Many social media users called for a complete boycott of the film, demanding that Indian platforms cease all promotional activities and distribution related to the project.
In an earlier announcement, the makers of Abir Gulaal had revealed plans to release a new song titled Tain Tain on April 24. However, in light of the tragedy and the subsequent controversy, the release has been withheld indefinitely. The production team has yet to release an official statement regarding the postponement.
Actor Fawad Khan, who plays the male lead in the film, took to social media to express his condolences following the attack. “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,” he wrote. While his statement was seen by some as an empathetic gesture, it did little to quell the growing calls for the film’s ban in India.
According to a report by PTI on April 24, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has confirmed that Abir Gulaal will not be permitted to release in India due to the heightened sensitivities following the attack.
Directed by Samar Shaikh, Abir Gulaal also features a stellar supporting cast, including Lisa Haydon, Riddhi Dogra, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, and Parmeet Sethi. The film was originally slated for release on May 9, 2025.
As tensions continue to rise between India and Pakistan, the entertainment industry finds itself at a crossroads once again, where art, politics, and public sentiment collide in complex and often polarizing ways.
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