Vaani Kapoor–Fawad Khan’s Aabeer Gulaal to release worldwide on August 29, skips India

Summary:

• Aabeer Gulaal will release globally on August 29, 2025, but not in India due to political tensions.

• Pakistan release remains uncertain pending censor board approvals.

• Middle East expected to be the film’s strongest market, following trends of Sardaar Ji 3.

Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's Aabeer Gulaal is finally going to premiere in theatres on August 29, 2025, three months after its original scheduled cancellation. However, it will not be releasing in India. The romantic drama will have a global release in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. The film is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi.

Original May release cancelled after Pahalgam terror attack

Initially titled Abir Gulaal, the film was slated for a May 9 theatrical release in India. The terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22nd, however, resulted in the cancellation of the plan. After this, the FWICE threatened to halt the film's release and demanded a boycott of Pakistani artists performing in Indian films.

After Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), the film was supposed to be Khan's theatrical return to India. However, the makers have decided against releasing it locally due to the present political tensions between Pakistan and India.

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No Indian streaming rights secured

As per a trade insider informing Mid Day, the film has not been picked up by any Indian streaming platform yet. There will be no streaming launch in India.

The source also informed the tabloid that it is still unclear when the film will be released in Pakistan. According to sources in the industry, Aabeer Gulaal has not yet been greenlit by the three provincial certification organisations in Pakistan: the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), the Punjab Film Censor Board (PFCB), and the Sindh Board of Film Censors (SBFC).

Approval process and entertainment boycotts

Nadeem Mandviwalla, a leading distributor in Pakistan, told the tabloid that a preliminary NOC has not been issued so far. After that, it would be sent to the censor organisations in Pakistan. He shared, "Once that is done, it will go to the Pakistan censor bodies. The movies should run. People want to fight over entertainment, but only artists end up losing in it. We were happy with the response to Sardaar Ji 3, which is the second-highest grosser in Pakistan after The Legend of Maula Jatt [2022]. We will try our best to release Aabeer Gulaal too."

Trade analysts anticipate that the Middle East will be the film's strongest export market, and the British Board of Film Classification has already received the submission.

Sardaar Ji 3 showed similar cross-border release

The June release of Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh, followed a similar trend, omitting any mention of India because it included Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. The film did very well in foreign areas despite the boycott.

Meanwhile, those responsible for making Aabeer Gulaal told the tabloid that the movie will be released in cinemas around the globe, with the exception of India.

FAQs:

Q: Why is Aabeer Gulaal not releasing in India?

A: The film’s India release has been shelved following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent boycott of Pakistani artistes announced by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

Q: When will Aabeer Gulaal release in theatres?

A: Aabeer Gulaal will be released worldwide on August 29, 2025.

Q: Which countries will screen Aabeer Gulaal?

A: The romantic drama will be released in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East.