The Raj Thackeray led-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday strongly opposed the release of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal in Maharashtra. “Despite several warnings, a Pakistani film is still being released,” MNS spokesperson Amey Khopkar said.
The controversy intensified after the teaser for Abir Gulaal, featuring Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, was unveiled on April 1.
Amey Khopkar strongly opposed the screening of Abir Gulaal and questioned, “Why are we casting Pakistani actors when our country has enough talented artists? Indian soldiers are dying at the borders, cities are being attacked, and during such times, no Pakistani actor criticises these actions. There is no need for Pakistani artists in India.”
He further warned that if any distributor releases the film in Maharashtra, “they will not be allowed to distribute any other films in the future”.
While speaking to media, Mr. Khopkar also recalled a 2016 meeting with the Chief Minister following the Uri attacks, where a decision was made to ban the screening of Pakistani films. He said that the producers’ association had agreed to this policy at the time.
On X, he posted, “Despite saying so many times that films by Pakistani artists will not be released in India, some rotten mangoes want to screen it. We will throw them into the trash. Whoever wants to cherish the Pakistani actors, do it happily, but don’t forget you are fighting us.”
Published – April 02, 2025 04:08 pm IST