Bollywood veteran Sunny Deol has stepped into the fray surrounding Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema with the upcoming film Abir Gulaal, offering a measured defense amid escalating tensions.
In an interview with HT City, the Gadar star addressed the debate over Khan’s involvement in the project, set for release on May 9.
The controversy flared as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) voiced strong opposition to Abir Gulaal’s screening in Maharashtra, targeting Khan’s participation. Adding fuel to the fire, Ashoke Pandit, head of the Indian Film and TV Directors’ Association, warned of protests against the Pakistani star’s comeback.
Fawad Khan already has a fan following in India for his roles in Khoobsurat (2014) and Kapoor & Sons (2016). However, he had been absent from Bollywood since 2016, when an informal ban by Hindu extremists sidelined Pakistani artists. A 2023 Bombay High Court ruling rejected a formal ban, asserting that art should remain apolitical.
Sunny Deol, steering clear of political quicksand, emphasized his identity as an artist. “I wouldn’t like to go on to the political side because that’s where things start getting messy,” he said. “We are actors, we work for everyone all over the world. Even if somebody is watching on Mars or anywhere, we are for everyone. So, aisi koi baat nahi hain. The way the world has become, we should stay global and let there be more countries; that’s the way it should be.”
Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, Abir Gulaal—a romantic tale set in London—pairs Khan with Vaani Kapoor, promising humor and heart. Meanwhile, Deol’s own film, Jaat, releases today, April 10.
