Fawad Khan's 'Abir Gulaal' faces a fresh new threat from MNS: 'I challenge the makers to release the film in Maharashtra'

Fawad Khan took the internet by storm as the teaser of his new film was dropped a few days ago. Titled 'Abir Gulaal', the film is a love story which sees Fawad opposite Vaani Kapoor. Netizens were happy that finally Fawad is back in Bollywood after the ban on Pakistani artists has been lifted in India. In October 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking to ban Pakistani artists from performing or working in India, effectively lifting the unofficial ban that had been in place for several years.

However, despite that the MNS has opposed the release of Fawad's film in Maharashtra. The film has now got a fresh new threat from Ameya Khopkar, the head of the Chitrapat wing of MNS. According to IANS, Ameya said, "We have been protesting against this film, against Pakistani artists and Pakistani films. And we will continue to do so. No film will be released here featuring Pakistani artists. And there is no need to release it. I just want to say, show the courage to release it. I challenge you to release it. In 2016, we had a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Raj Thackeray was also there."

He added, "Some of the producers’ associations were also there. That’s when we decided to release the film that was made earlier. After that, no Pakistani film or film about Pakistani artists would be made here. The producers’ association had written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. Now, I challenge the makers of ‘Abir Gulaal’ to release the film here in Maharashtra."

Fawad was last seen in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. The film is set to release in cinemas on May 9.