New Delhi: Fawad Khan just dropped a one-min teaser of his Bollywood comeback film with Vaani Kapoor, but Pakistanis are not impressed. They are saying Khan is overrated and overhyped. They are also convinced that his movie, Abir Gulaal, will not work.
“He looks like a normal pathan—overhyped. I’ve never liked him as much as he is famous,” Pakistani user Sadia wrote on Instagram.
The complaints don’t end. Pakistanis are also criticising Fawad Khan for choosing India over Pakistan and think he is ‘beghairat’. Others point out that his work just went down post Barzakh.
Another user added, “Overrated, nothing special”.
Pakistanis are strictly against Vaani Kapoor. They think their ‘king’ needed a better heroine.
“Why can’t you bring a better heroine with our KING! She doesn’t match his vibe,” Pakistani user Aqsa wrote on Instagram.
Seema Feroz echoed similar thoughts on X. She even advised Khan to get back to dramas.
“Bhai tu dramay hee ker le (You better stick to dramas),” she wrote.
Some in Pakistan, however, have calmed down post the teaser. Khan’s singing has made them fans again.
“Fawad Khan just had to sing for us to like him back, still idc (I don’t care) about his lame movies,” a Pakistani person wrote on X.
Also read: Fawad Khan finally has a new Bollywood film. Pakistani fans unsure of co-star Vaani Kapoor
‘Next to SRK’
The Pakistani actor’s last big screen Bollywood appearance came in Kapoor & Sons (2016).
The Legend of Maula Jatt star was seen humming an old Bollywood tune in the teaser shared by Vaani Kapoor. Variety had reported in October last year that Khan and Kapoor were filming Abir Gulaal in the UK.
According to the report, the filming was slated for October and November 2024 in London. The film will be released on 9 May.
The film is directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens, and Aarjay Pictures.
Bagdi described the movie as “a heartfelt journey of two individuals who unexpectedly help each other heal, with love blossoming along the way.”
The producers had said that they were counting on Fawad’s “massive global fan base” to drive the film’s success. “We believe audiences and his fans will warmly embrace the movie, as it features him in one of his most charming roles to date. The chemistry between Fawad and Vaani is expected to shine, with their captivating performances and undeniable charm lighting up the screen,” the producers told Variety.
Indians, however, are ecstatic. For them, “Bollywood is back”.
Khan’s return to Bollywood comes at a time when political tensions have hindered collaboration between Pakistani artists and the Indian film industry.
Since the Pulwama attack in 2019, an informal ban has been in place on Pakistani performers in India. However, in a landmark 2023 ruling, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition that aimed to strengthen the ban, emphasising that art has the ability to transcend national borders and promote peace and unity.
Khan has previously appeared in Bollywood films like Khoobsurat (2014) and Kapoor & Sons (2016), as well as international projects such as Ms. Marvel (2022).
His film The Legend of Maula Jatt made history by becoming Pakistan’s highest-grossing film to date.
Pakistanis think he could replace SRK in India.
“Bollywood missed Fawad khan big time. If anyone could replace SRK as the king of romance, that was him. The rest of their industry is made of inferior material,” X user Sherry wrote.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)