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Fawad Khan and Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor have started shooting their romantic comedy film titled Abir Gulaal at locations in and around London, confirming swirling rumours about Khan’s return to Bollywood, according to an exclusive by Variety.

The film is directed by Aarti S Bagdi (Chalti Rahe Zindagi) and produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens and Aarjay Pictures. The producers include Vivek B Agrawal, Avantika Hari and Rakesh Sippy. It will be shot in the UK in October and November.

“The film explores the journey of two individuals who unintentionally help each other heal, with love blossoming as an unexpected consequence,” Bagdi said, according to Variety.

The Abir Gulaal producers said: “Fawad has a massive global fan base, and we anticipate that audiences and his fans will wholeheartedly embrace this film, as it showcases him in his most endearing role yet. The chemistry between Fawad and Vaani is expected to light up the screen with their captivating performances and undeniable charm.”

Earlier, reports claimed that Khan would return to the Indian film industry alongside Kapoor, Ridhi Dogra and make a cameo in Kartik Aaryan’s highly-anticipated comedy horror film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. However, Abir Gulaal is his only confirmed Indian project.

The Humsafar actor’s last Bollywood appearance was in Karan Johar’s 2016 romantic drama Ae Dil Hai Mushkil alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.

Khan’s return to Bollywood is especially significant because in 2019 the All Indian Cine Workers Association announced a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists in India following the Pulwama attacks. Prior to this, in 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association “banned” Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from working in India due to friction between the two countries.

Last year, in a landmark decision, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking a ban on Indian citizens, companies, and associations from engaging Pakistani artists. According to Dawn, a division bench firmly stated that the petition represents a “retrograde step in promoting cultural harmony, unity, and peace, and has no merit in it.”

After the high court’s dismissal, the petitioner approached the Indian Supreme Court which also rejected the plea and advised the petitioner against being narrow-minded on the issue, Scroll reported.