Prakash Raj DEFENDS Fawad Khan starrer Abir Gulaal release in India: “Let audiences decide” : Bollywood News

Veteran Indian actor Prakash Raj has publicly opposed the ban on the upcoming Bollywood film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, arguing that audiences should have the freedom to choose what they watch. In a candid interview with The Lallantop, Raj condemned the growing trend of film bans in India, calling it a deliberate tactic to instil fear and stifle creative expression.

Prakash Raj DEFENDS Fawad Khan starrer Abir Gulaal release in India: “Let audiences decide”

The romantic drama, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and slated for release on 9 May, was halted following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, which claimed 26 lives. The attack prompted a backlash against the film, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) renewing its boycott of Pakistani artists and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirming the film would not be released in India. Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also vowed to block screenings in Maharashtra, citing Khan’s Pakistani nationality.

The Singham actor rejected the censorship, stating, “I’m not for banning any films, whether it’s right-wing or propaganda. Let people decide. You can’t ban films unless it’s pornography or about child abuse. But a thought process? So what? Let them come.” He criticised the hypersensitivity driving such decisions, referencing past controversies like the threats against Deepika Padukone during Padmaavat (2018) and the uproar over a saffron bikini in Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023). “Today, anybody can get hurt,” he remarked, pointing to a culture of manufactured outrage.

The actor also highlighted selective censorship, noting that films like The Kashmir Files faced no hurdles, while others, such as L2: Empuraan, were targeted despite clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). “There’s a conscious attempt by every powerful central government to be intolerant of questioning,” Raj said, warning that excessive power breeds intolerance and erodes freedom of expression.

Abir Gulaal, shot in London, was poised to mark Khan’s return to Bollywood after a nine-year hiatus, following his last appearance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). The film’s teaser, showcasing Khan and Kapoor’s chemistry, had initially sparked excitement among fans, but the Pahalgam attack reignited tensions, leading to the removal of its songs from YouTube India.

Also Read: Vishnu Manchu calls out Prakash Raj over the Tirupati Ladoo adulteration controversy