Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal To Launch Music In Dubai Following Political Objections In India

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is making a highly anticipated comeback to the Hindi film industry after nine years. He will star opposite Vaani Kapoor in the upcoming romantic drama Abir Gulaal, directed by Aarti Bagdi. The film is slated for a theatrical release on May 9, 2025.

However, following the teaser launch, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) voiced opposition to the film’s release in Maharashtra. Amid this controversy, reports suggest the makers are planning to launch the film’s music in Dubai instead.

Abir Gulaal’s Music Launch to Be Held at Dubai's Global Village

According to a Mid-Day report, the team behind Abir Gulaal is moving ahead with its promotional plans and will host the music launch at Global Village in Dubai on April 19. The event will feature the film’s lead cast, and music composer Amit Trivedi is expected to perform live, offering fans a first taste of the soundtrack.

A source close to the project shared, “The team anticipated potential backlash in India when Fawad came on board. Dubai was an obvious choice — it’s a neutral venue, has a strong South Asian diaspora, and Fawad enjoys significant popularity there. Music plays a pivotal role in Abir Gulaal, so the team wanted to make a strong impact with the soundtrack before unveiling the trailer.”

The event will reportedly be free for visitors with general entry tickets to Global Village, and it is being planned as a full-fledged musical concert, with performances from the film’s album.

Inside Abir Gulaal

Directed by Aarti Bagdi and primarily shot in London, Abir Gulaal promises an emotional love story with stunning visuals. Ridhi Dogra, who was last seen in The Sabarmati Report, also plays a key role alongside Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor. The makers have already released the film’s first song, the romantic ballad Khudaya Ishq, which has begun generating buzz online.