Fawad Khan’s film faces backlash in India after Pahalgam attack

On April 22, 2025, 26 people were killed in a tourist attack in Srinagar, Indian-occupied Kashmir.
The incident has sparked social media reactions from Pakistani celebrities like Farhan Saeed.
Zoom TV, an Indian entertainment news portal, posted a video with hateful comments from Indian users.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Srinagar, Indian-occupied Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, killing 26 people. The victims included a groom on his honeymoon and a businessman on vacation. The attack left several others injured, with many reported in critical condition. The tragic Pahalgam incident has dominated headlines across social media.

Farhan Saeed, Hania Aamir, Mawra Hocane, and other Pakistani celebrities have expressed their grief over the tragic Pahalgam incident. Meanwhile, Indians have blamed Pakistan for the attack. In response, they are urging their government to cancel treaties with Pakistan and demanding a ban on Pakistani actors, especially Fawad Khan, whose film “Abir Gulaal” is scheduled for release in India soon.

Zoom, a popular Indian entertainment news portal and YouTube channel, posted a video compiling hateful remarks from extremist Indian users targeting Pakistani actors. In the video, several commenters demand a ban on Fawad Khan. One user wrote, “Abir Gulaal will not be allowed to release in India in any case after this.” Another added, “Are we still going to release ‘Abir Gulaal” after the Pahalgam incident? Will we still make such films with Pakistani actors?”

Extremist Indian users are flooding the comment section under Zoom TV’s video with hate-filled messages targeting Fawad Khan, Bollywood, and Vaani Kapoor. Many are urging a boycott of Bollywood for promoting Fawad Khan’s film “Abir Gulaal”. Several commenters are also attacking Vaani Kapoor for choosing to work alongside the Pakistani actor.