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Against the backdrop of heightened tension between Pakistan and India following an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Indian media reported that Fawad Khan’s upcoming Bollywood movie will no longer be released in the country.

The move comes after the Indian government blamed Pakistan for the attack, alleging Islamabad’s support for “cross-border terrorism”. Pakistan denied any role and said it had nothing to do with the attack.

Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, starring Indian actor Vaani Kapoor, was set to release on May 9, but was met with growing calls for a boycott after the attack, which left more than 24 dead. Sources from India’s information ministry reportedly told The Indian Express that the movie’s release was cancelled in the wake of the attack.

Two of the film’s songs, released earlier this month, were also removed from the YouTube channel of Abir Gulaal’s production house, A Richer Lens Entertainment, and Saregama Music, Filmfare reported.

While the teaser for the song ‘Khudaya Ishq’ and the film’s official teaser trailer are still available on A Richer Lens Entertainment’s YouTube channel, Images could not find the music videos for ‘Khudaya Ishq’ and ‘Angreji Rangrasiya’ on the production house or Saregama’s YouTube channels.

Images has reached out to Khan and his team for a comment. There has been no public statement about the film’s status from the production house or director Aarti S Bagdi.

Earlier, the lead actors both condemned the attack. In an Instagram story posted Wednesday night, Khan 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.”

Kapoor, also taking to Instagram, wrote, “Have been numb, at a loss of words since the time I have seen the attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. Gutted. Devastated. My prayers are with the families.”

Opposition from film bodies

The movie faced backlash and threats of a ban from the start, particularly from right-wing political factions, but in the last 48 hours, Indian film bodies voiced their opposition against the release.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) called for a boycott of Pakistani artists, The Indian Express reported. In a statement, it said, “In the wake of these repeated attacks, FWICE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to national interest and solidarity. We reiterate our directive, originally issued on February 18, 2019, calling for complete non-cooperation with all Pakistan artists, singers, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry.”

Singling out Abir Gulaal, FWICE stated, “Despite this ongoing directive, we have been made aware of the recent collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi film Abir Gulaal. In light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects. This includes performances or collaborations occurring anywhere in the world.”

The statement maintained that any members of FWICE working with Pakistani actors would face disciplinary action and the organisation would “take all necessary steps to ensure that Abir Gulaal is not released in India.”

According to NDTV, Ashok Pandit, the chief advisor of FWICE and the president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, said, “This incident is an act of war against the nation. This isn’t the first time…these attacks have been ongoing for 30 years. We, as a federation, have requested with folded hands to not work Pakistanis.

“They come up with bulls***t reasons like artist, community, but ultimately, the nation must come first.” Referring to Kapoor, he added that if the film’s heroine or makers’ family members were shot by terrorists, they wouldn’t have worked with Khan.