Veteran actor Prakash Raj strongly reacted to the ban on the upcoming film Abir Gulaal in India, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan alongside Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor. Stating that nothing can be banned except for pornography, Prakash said that the decision must be left to people whether they want to watch the film or not.
During a conversation with The Lallantop, Prakash, who is known for voicing his unfiltered opinions, said, “I am not for any banning of films, whether it’s a right-wing or propaganda film. Let people decide. People have the right. You can’t ban films unless it’s pornography or about child abuse. But a thought process? So what? Let them come, no?”
The Singham actor also pointed out the rise in the outrage and boycott culture in India, especially with respect to films. Citing example of the Besharam Rang song controversy, he said, “Today, anybody can get hurt. ‘I’ll chop off the nose of Deepika Padukone! I’ll behead her!’ What sense does that make? Shah Rukh Khan… just because of a colour? They will create a hue and cry over anything.”
“Films like The Kashmir Files get a green signal, but others don’t. It’s selective,” he added.
Abir Gulaal, which was supposed to mark Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood after nine years, had been facing boycott calls ever since its teaser was released online. The uproar intensified after the ghastly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially banned the film’s release in India due to Fawad’s presence in it, and Indian film bodies threatened to boycott artists found collaborating with Pakistani celebs in future.
