Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal to Release in India on September 26, 2025
The long-awaited romantic comedy Abir Gulaal starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor has finally secured an India release date—September 26, 2025. This marks a major moment for the film, which has been under scrutiny, delay, and controversy for months.
Background & Delays
Abir Gulaal (also titled Aabeer Gulaal) was initially scheduled to debut in India and worldwide on May 9, 2025, but that plan was derailed due to diplomatic tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. Gulf News+4Wikipedia+4The Federal+4
In the wake of the attack, there were strong calls for a boycott of the film because Fawad Khan is Pakistani. These calls, coupled with rising nationalist sentiment, created a climate in which releasing a film featuring Pakistani artists was highly contentious. Filmfare+3Moneycontrol+3The Federal+3
Due to those tensions, the release plan for Abir Gulaal in India was postponed. Later reports suggested a shift of the global release to August 29, 2025, but that too was postponed. Eventually, Abir Gulaal released worldwide (excluding India) on September 12, 2025, across more than 75 countries and over 1,000 screens.
India Release: September 26
Now, as per multiple credible media sources, Abir Gulaal is set to arrive in Indian theatres on September 26, 2025. Hauterrfly+4The Indian Express+4Moneycontrol+4
The decision to postpone the India release despite the global rollout appears to be strategic: the makers want Abir Gulaal to enjoy a “solo release slot” (i.e. fewer competing films) so it can receive maximum visibility.
Story, Cast & Creative Team
Abir Gulaal is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and produced by Vivek B. Agrawal, Raza Namazi, Firuzi Khan, and others. The film is a cross-border romantic comedy/romantic drama centering on two people from different worlds—Gulaal (played by Vaani Kapoor), a strong-willed woman who escapes an arranged marriage, and Abir (played by Fawad Khan), a restaurateur in London with a complicated past. Their paths cross in unexpected ways, leading to conflict, connection, and—eventually—romance. Wikipedia+2The Federal+2
Other notable cast members include Farida Jalal, Lisa Haydon, Soni Razdan, Parmeet Sethi, and Ridhi Dogra. Music is by Amit Trivedi, with cinematography by Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni.
Challenges & Controversies
The journey to this point has not been smooth for Abir Gulaal. Here are some of the major challenges:
- Boycott calls & political backlash: After the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, there was strong public and political pressure against allowing the film to release in India because of Fawad Khan’s nationality. Moneycontrol+2The Federal+2
- Operation Sindoor: India’s retaliatory response to Pahalgam heightened tensions and cultural sensitivity. Fawad Khan’s publicly critical remarks about Operation Sindoor further stirred controversy. Filmfare+1
- Delays and uncertainty: The film was repeatedly postponed—from May to August, then to a global release excluding India before finally coming to Indian theatres in September. Each shift added to uncertainty among audiences and industry observers. Hauterrfly+3Wikipedia+3Gulf News+3
Despite all this, the makers have expressed confidence in the film. They believe Abir Gulaal’s story—a simple, sweet love story with emotional resonance—can transcend the current political climate.
What the India Release Means
The upcoming India release of Abir Gulaal on September 26 carries significance in several ways:
- Fawad Khan’s Bollywood Comeback: This will be his first prominent film release in India after many years of absence, especially since Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). The Federal+2Wikipedia+2
- Test of Audience Sentiment: Given the political controversies, the film’s box office reception will also serve as a gauge for how Indian audiences feel about cross-border collaborations in the current climate.
- Cultural Impact: Abir Gulaal could open discussions around art, nationalism, and whether creative works can be separated from politics—especially in cinema between India and Pakistan.
- Box Office Opportunity: Releasing on a date with fewer major competing films could give Abir Gulaal room to perform better commercially. Solo release days often help with visibility in theatres and media coverage.
Conclusion
After months of delays, controversy, and uncertainty, Abir Gulaal is finally scheduled to release in India on September 26, 2025. The film, which premiered globally (outside India) on September 12, has already been through political storms—but now the focus shifts to its reception and how audiences will respond to its message of love, healing, and connection across divides.
Abir Gulaal remains a film that tries to balance romance with social and political undercurrents. Whether it succeeds will depend not just on its performances, music, or storytelling, but also on the larger environment into which it is released.
