PremiumAbir Gulaal: Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor star in cross-border love story; all you need to know
Fawad Khan is back with Abir Gulaal, marking his big Bollywood comeback.
Last Updated: 10.52 AM, Dec 28, 2024
The delayed release of The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022) in India disappointed Fawad Khan's fans in October. It appears the actor will appear in theatres in 2025. The romantic comedy Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad and Vaani Kapoor, has reportedly concluded production, and its director, Aarti S. Bagdi, is currently preparing it for a theatrical release. The Pakistani actor hasn't appeared in a Hindi film since Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), which is about nine years ago, and this will be his return to the industry.
Film's setting and production timeline
As per Mid Day, the rom-com reportedly began filming in London on a strict schedule in late September. Two characters who have suffered emotional wounds find each other and end up healing each other.
The tabloid received information from an insider that the film's characters inspired the title Abir Gulaal. Vaani portrays Gulaal, a typical Jaipuri girl, while Fawad plays Abir, an Indian chef working in London. Aarti had prepared a 40-day start-to-finish timetable, and the shoot began on September 29. Vaani, Fawad, and the supporting cast, including Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Parmeet Sethi, and Soni Razdan, excelled in their preparation, completing the filming in just 37 days.
The source also revealed that, despite initially planning to shoot some scenes in Mumbai, the story's setting in the British city necessitated full filming in London. Designer Sheetal Sharma and every technician in the team are Indian nationals. They are now in the post-production phase. Fawad still needs to complete some dubbing, which he will do online.
Bollywood and Pakistani collaborations resume after court decision
Producer Vivek B. Agrawal is targeting a theatrical release sometime in the first half of 2025. He has worked on Udta Punjab (2016) and Vikram Vedha (2022). After the 2016 Uri attack, Bollywood came to a complete standstill in its partnerships with Pakistani artists. Nevertheless, the Bombay High Court denied a request to prohibit international partnerships in October 2023. The court noted that such a move would undermine efforts to foster unity, cultural harmony, and peace.
The producers of Abir Gulaal are hopeful that the film will play well in theatres in India.