Famous person Fawad Khan’s long-awaited return to Bollywood has lastly taken form with ‘Abir Gulaal’, a cross-border romantic comedy that pairs him reverse Indian actor Vaani Kapoor.
The movie, which launched worldwide on Friday, is already producing chatter for its frothy romance, shiny visuals, and the novelty of Khan’s comeback to Indian cinema after almost a decade.
The true twist, nevertheless, lies in its launch technique. Whereas audiences throughout the UAE, UK and different territories have already caught the movie, its India launch was initially left in limbo attributable to strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Now, reviews recommend that Indian Tales Restricted, the UK-based manufacturing home behind the movie, is making ready for a September 26 launch in Indian theatres — a transfer that will mark Khan’s official re-entry into Bollywood after the 2016 ban on Pakistani artists.
The mission was already underneath scrutiny earlier this yr. Its destiny appeared unsure following political tensions between India and Pakistan. Prior to now, such flare-ups had straight impacted cultural trade, most notably the blanket ban that ended Khan’s rising Bollywood profession in 2016.
Regardless of these obstacles, ‘Abir Gulaal’ quietly marched forward to a world launch this week. With no main Indian title scheduled for the September 26 slot, the movie might even get pleasure from a solo run within the nation — a growth that business insiders imagine might be a turning level in reintroducing Pakistani expertise to Bollywood screens.
So, what precisely is ‘Abir Gulaal’? Critiques from its UAE premiere describe it as a “predictable but pleasant rom-com” — a frothy concoction of privilege, riot, and opposites attracting towards the backdrop of London.
Vaani Kapoor performs Gulaal Bajaj, a headstrong daughter who rebels towards her conservative father’s plans for an organized marriage. When she wins a culinary contest, she lands an internship at a restaurant run by Abir Singh, performed with trademark appeal by Fawad Khan.
Sparks fly, tempers flare, and inevitable misunderstandings push the narrative ahead. The actors’ chemistry is the movie’s greatest asset: messy, bratty, and refreshingly imperfect.
Kapoor, usually criticised for uneven performances previously, is alleged to have delivered her career-best act right here. Critics observe her comedian timing and vitality, significantly in scenes the place her character stumbles by independence in couture lehengas whereas instructing Bollywood dance courses in London.
Khan, in the meantime, slips into the position of the brooding restaurateur with ease, his display screen presence amplified by what one assessment cheekily described as “pearly whites worthy of an IMDb credit score.”
Directed by Aarti S Bagdi and co-written with Meghna Singhee and Sudipto Sarkar, the movie consciously avoids risque content material and expletives, positioning itself as a clear household entertainer.
There are nods to Bollywood nostalgia — from a “Simran-esque” heroine to remixed classics like ‘Aaja Aaja Predominant Hoon Pyar Tera’ and ;Jawani Jaaneman’. Amit Trivedi’s music, significantly the observe ‘Khudaya Ishq’, lends sparkle, whereas shiny cinematography frames London as an Instagram-perfect playground.
However the movie is not with out flaws. Critics spotlight bloated modifying, uneven pacing within the second half, and facet characters that really feel underdeveloped. Lisa Haydon’s cameo, particularly, has been panned as pointless padding. Nonetheless, the ultimate act redeems the surplus, with a daring twist that resists the saccharine endings typical of the style.
The timing of the Indian launch may work in ‘Abir Gulaal”s favour. With no different Bollywood title scheduled for September 26, distributors are betting on the movie’s cross-border attraction and the curiosity surrounding Khan’s comeback to attract audiences.
A supply quoted by Bollywood Hungama stated: “The crew is assured of the product and feels the movie has the potential to draw audiences all over the place, together with India.”
But, the discharge stays unofficial. Neither the producers nor the Indian censor board have confirmed the date. The hesitation displays the sensitivities round showcasing Pakistani artists in India, even in an period the place streaming platforms usually blur nationwide boundaries.
For Fawad Khan, ‘Abir Gulaal’ is extra than simply one other mission. The actor grew to become a family title in India by movies like ‘Khoobsurat’ (2014) and ‘Kapoor & Sons’ (2016), alongside his Pakistani tv successes. His abrupt exit from Bollywood following the Uri assault left a spot that followers have lengthy needed stuffed.
That his comeback is wrapped in a feel-good, family-friendly package deal feels deliberate — a safer re-entry level in an business nonetheless cautious about cross-border collaborations. Whether or not audiences will embrace him once more stays to be seen, however early reactions recommend nostalgia and his enduring star energy may tilt the stability.
Verdict up to now
‘Abir Gulaal’ does not intention to reinvent the rom-com wheel. As an alternative, it provides acquainted tropes polished with glamour, humour, and a cross-cultural setting. Its success might rely much less on essential acclaim and extra on the thrill surrounding Khan’s return and the novelty of watching him reverse Kapoor.
If the movie does see an Indian launch on September 26, it will not simply be about ticket gross sales. It would take a look at whether or not Bollywood and its audiences are prepared, as soon as once more, to embrace expertise from throughout the border — at the very least on the silver display screen.
Till then, ‘Abir Gulaal’ is having fun with its second as a world launch, carrying the burden of extra than simply romance on its shoulders.
