Fawad Khan-Vaani Kapoor’s Aabeer Gulaal receives mixed reviews as it releases worldwide but not in India; critics call it ‘frustrating’, ‘bloated’ | Bollywood News

The much-anticipated romantic drama Aabeer Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, had its world premiere on September 12 (excluding India). However, early reviews indicate that the film has struggled to strike a chord with critics, many of whom have dismissed it as underwhelming and lacking in impact. BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid was particularly candid in his review, saying, “I found this to be one of the most frustrating romantic dramas I’ve watched in a very long time. Not only does it look cheap, but it is such an incoherent, inconsent storyline, which is such an injustice to the talent that you’re working with.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Sadiq Saleem of Khaleej Times expressed disappointment in the film’s execution. “One can’t help but feel that Fawad deserved better — and so did the audience,” he wrote. Saleem further criticized the film’s reliance on Bollywood nostalgia, saying, “The film leans heavily on YRF and Dharma universe. Dance competitions (which Vaani obviously wins), medley of retro songs, and nods to DDLJ and Chandni abound – like the rain-soaked dance between Vaani and Fawad echoes Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. It’s nostalgia turned cliché.”
Gulf News critic Manjusha Radhakrishnan also found the film lacking in focus and pace. She wrote, “Aabeer Gulaal is bloated, padded with unnecessary segues that drag the runtime.” Radhakrishnan singled out Lisa Haydon’s much-hyped cameo for particular criticism, calling it “the biggest offender — it adds nothing, apart from reminding us that Bollywood can’t res shoehorning in familiar faces. A tighter cut would have sharpened the storytelling and saved us from mid-movie fidgeting.” Still, there were some redeeming elements. Radhakrishnan acknowledged the onscreen pairing of Fawad and Vaani, stating, “their chemry actually clicks. They bicker, flirt, and glare in ways that feel authentic.”
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Directed Aarti S. Bagdi, Aabeer Gulaal was originally slated for an Indian release on May 9. However, the schedule was disrupted following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam. In recent weeks, speculation has mounted over a possible release in India on September 26. These reports have now been firmly denied. In a statement posted to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) debunked the release rumours, stating: “It is being claimed several media outlets that the film ‘Aabeer Gulaal’ starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor will release in Indian cinemas on September 26, 2025. #PIBFactCheck This claim is FAKE No such clearance has been granted for this film.”
The film had generated significant buzz due to Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema after an eight-year hiatus. His last Bollywood appearance was in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Following the Uri attack later that year, cultural relations between India and Pakan deteriorated, resulting in an unofficial ban on Pakani artes in Indian media.