The Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor starrer Bollywood film Abir Gulaal was originally slated for release on April 22, with its promotional campaign already in motion.
The cast had even launched the film’s music album at a special event in Dubai, generating buzz among audiences. However, the release was abruptly halted due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, which affected cross-border cultural exchanges and film distribution.
Now, four months later, the much-anticipated movie is finally set for a global release on August 29, according to reports from Indian media. Despite this announcement, the film will not be screened in India, following the pattern of other recent productions affected by the ban on Pakistani artists in the country.
The strategy mirrors that of Sardaar Ji 3 and Chal Mera Putt 4, both of which skipped Indian cinemas but found considerable success in overseas markets.
Industry sources, as quoted by Bollywood Hungama, revealed that the producers of Abir Gulaal intend to replicate the “Sardaar Ji 3 approach.” That film, headlined by Diljit Dosanjh, was denied a release in India because it featured Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, yet it performed exceptionally well abroad.
Similarly, Chal Mera Putt 4—another Punjabi production with Pakistani actors—was released exclusively outside India and also became a commercial hit in international markets.
Given the precedent set by these films, industry watchers are now curious to see whether Abir Gulaal can achieve similar results in overseas territories, particularly in Pakistan, where Fawad Khan enjoys immense popularity.
The absence of an Indian release may limit the film’s reach in one of the largest South Asian markets, but it could also boost its appeal in diaspora-heavy regions such as the UK, Canada, the UAE, and Australia, where cross-border tensions have less impact on cinema consumption.
Whether Abir Gulaal will match or surpass the overseas success of its predecessors remains to be seen. For now, audiences worldwide—except in India—can look forward to its August 29 premiere, as fans and industry analysts alike watch closely to see how the film fares internationally.
