Veteran Indian actor Sunny Deol has voiced his support for Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood with the upcoming film “Abir Gulaal”. In an exclusive interview with HT City, Deol emphasized the importance of unity in the entertainment industry, stating he has no objections to Pakistani actors working in Indian cinema.
Known for his roles in patriotic blockbusters like “Border” and “Gadar”, Deol’s endorsement comes as a surprise to some.
However, the actor clarified,
“I prefer not to involveinto politics, as that can complicate matters. We are actors, and our work is for everyone around the world.”
The film “Abir Gulaal”, directed by Aarti S Bagdi—renowned for “Chalti Rahe Zindagi”—is scheduled for release on May 9. Produced by Indian Stories in collaboration with A Richer Lens and Aarjay Pictures, the movie features Fawad Khan alongside Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor.
Deol’s remarks come amidst controversy, as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has publicly opposed the film’s release. Despite this, the teaser for “Abir Gulaal”, released earlier this month, has generated considerable buzz across social media platforms.
Deol added,
“We aim to reach everyone, whether people are watching or not.”
He expressed a need for the Indian film industry to embrace globalization and cross-border collaboration.
As anticipation builds for “Abir Gulaal”, Sunny Deol’s supportive stance may pave the way for greater artistic exchange between India and Pakistan in the future.
