Move over, Bollywood politics — the heat is back on! After weeks of whispers and heated debates, the highly controversial rom-com Aabeer Gulaal starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Bollywood diva Vaani Kapoor is finally set to hit Indian theatres on September 26, 2025. And let’s just say… not everyone is applauding.
THE DRAMA SO FAR
Originally released globally on September 12, Aabeer Gulaal ran into serious roadblocks in India. The film was boycotted following fallout from the Pahalgam attack, which led to heightened tensions over cross-border productions. The Times of India
Rumors swirled that political pressure, social media outrage, and calls for patriotic loyalty were behind the hold-up. For fans of Fawad, it was heartbreaking. For critics, the delay was overdue.
WHY SEPTEMBER 26?
According to insiders, the film’s makers decided to hold back the Indian release for two reasons:
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Time to cool off. The initial uproar had died down; giving it a couple of weeks was seen as essential so the controversy wouldn’t completely overshadow the film.
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Solo release advantages. With no major Bollywood film conflicting on September 26, Aabeer Gulaal gets the spotlight all to itself. The Times of India
The timing also feels symbolic — just after the India vs Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup 2025 (September 14) when nationalistic feelings were at peak. Releasing a cross-border film so close to that match would have been… explosive. The Times of India
FANS vs CRITICS: THE WAR OF WORDS
As news broke of the upcoming India release, the internet erupted. Social media is flooded with two camps:
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Team Supporters who argue: art transcends politics! Fawad Khan’s performance is being praised in overseas reviews. Many argue that Indian audiences deserve to decide for themselves rather than being boxed into a social media echo chamber.
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Team Resistors who insist: “Why support an actor from Pakistan, when there are domestic artists who have played by the rules?” Some are openly calling for boycotts, stating it’s unpatriotic to watch work involving “cross-border” actors amidst current tensions.
MARKET IMPLICATIONS
Bollywood insiders believe Aabeer Gulaal could make big bucks — people are curious, controversy sells, and Vaani Kapoor’s fanbase is strong. But there are risks:
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Theatre owners might be pressured to pull out depending on local political pressure.
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Advertising & marketing could be tricky: some brands may hesitate to associate with the film locally.
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Censor board / state governments could attempt to limit screenings in certain regions.
WHAT THE STARS SAY
So far, Vaani Kapoor has remained tight-lipped in public statements, only emphasizing that the film is “just a love story” and hopes audiences see past the noise. Fawad Khan’s side hasn’t said much either; official channels seem focused on damage control. Sources close to the team claim Khan is “relieved” about the release date but worried “the controversy may still overshadow the film’s content.”
WILL AABEER GULAAL SURVIVE OR FLOP?
Here’s the million-dollar question. With hype + backlash in equal measure, Aabeer Gulaal has a chance to explode — in both success and controversy.
If the film delivers a strong story, good performances, and word of mouth turns positive, it could become one of the most talked-about releases of 2025.
But if critics pan it (or if protests intensify), Aabeer Gulaal might get lost in the noise — or worse, boycotted hard enough that box office numbers suffer.
BOTTOM LINE: September 26 isn’t just a release date — it’s a statement. Whether Aabeer Gulaal will be remembered as a triumphant comeback, a political misstep, or something in between, only time (and ticket sales) will tell.
