Filmmaker says Pakistani actors must obtain govt permission to work in India

Pakistani filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi has called on the government to require Pakistani actors to obtain a no-objection certificate (NoC) before signing any projects in India. His remarks come in response to the recent ban imposed by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Fawad Khan’s upcoming Bollywood film Abir Gulaal.

The romantic comedy, starring Khan alongside Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, marks his return to Bollywood after nearly nine years. It was scheduled for release on May 9. However, Indian media reported that the movie will not be released in India after FWICE urged authorities to ban it following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 tourists. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack—a claim Islamabad denies.

Qureshi said the matter is one of national dignity: “Given India’s pattern of imposing bans on Pakistani talent, our government should step in and require actors to secure an NoC before committing to Indian projects.”

He acknowledged the appeal of India’s vast film industry for Pakistani artists but emphasized that this should not come at the cost of self-respect. “Our actors need to uphold their integrity—not just as performers but as Pakistanis. India clearly does not welcome them, regardless of recent events,” he said.

Qureshi added that with ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, speculation around the release of Abir Gulaal had already been circulating. “Now, it seems impossible for the film to be released in India,” he said.

Following a similar incident in 2016, when a militant attack in Uri killed 19 Indian soldiers, India banned Pakistani artists from working in its entertainment industry. Prior to the ban, Khan had starred in several Bollywood hits including Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Although promotional efforts for Abir Gulaal began in Dubai, with the film’s music launch, two songs—Khudaya Ishq and Angreji Rangrasiya—were recently removed from YouTube India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

“This outcome was almost expected,” said Kamran Jawaid, a Pakistani film critic and journalist. “Even if it hadn’t been this incident, there would have been some other excuse—major or minor—to block the film’s release.”

Jawaid believes Pakistani audiences will embrace the film, but he warned that trying to release it in India could lead to greater backlash. “Given FWICE’s strong anti-Pakistan stance, no one wants to risk provoking further tensions.”

Nadeem Mandviwalla, a prominent Pakistani film distributor and cinema owner, said India’s decision is “understandable” given the current climate. He also noted that Pakistan has reportedly denied permission for the film’s release on its side as well.

“Actors are ambassadors of peace,” Mandviwalla said. “If both countries provide a platform, it should be seen as a positive step.”

However, Jawaid argued that Pakistani actors should focus more on strengthening their own industry. “Chasing Bollywood just because it offers a bigger audience or better pay isn’t the answer,” he said. “The idea that art transcends borders only works when both sides are willing to engage equally.”