The much-anticipated romantic drama Aabeer Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, premiered worldwide (excluding India) on September 12, but early reviews suggest the film has largely failed to impress critics. Many have dismissed it as underwhelming and lacking impact, with the BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid calling it “one of the most frustrating romantic dramas I’ve watched in a very long time.”
Rashid further criticized the film, stating, “Not only does it look cheap, but it is such an incoherent, inconsistent storyline, which is such an injustice to the talent that you’re working with.” Sadiq Saleem of Khaleej Times echoed similar sentiments, writing, “One can’t help but feel that Fawad deserved better — and so did the audience.” Saleem also criticized the film’s heavy reliance on Bollywood nostalgia, with “medley of retro songs, and nods to DDLJ and Chandni.”
Gulf News critic Manjusha Radhakrishnan found the film “bloated, padded with unnecessary segues that drag the runtime.” She particularly singled out Lisa Haydon’s much-hyped cameo as “the biggest offender — it adds nothing.” Despite the overall negative reception, Radhakrishnan did acknowledge the onscreen chemistry between Fawad and Vaani, noting that “their chemistry actually clicks.”
Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, Aabeer Gulaal was originally slated for an Indian release on May 9 but was delayed after a terror attack in Pahalgam. Recent speculation about a September 26 release in India has now been firmly denied. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) debunked the rumors on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “#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 before cultural relations between India and Pakistan led to an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in Indian media.