Actor Ridhi Dogra on signing film with Fawad Khan

Superstar Fawad Khan's return to Bollywood with the upcoming film Abir Gulaal with Vaani Kapoor has generated buzz on both sides of the border. 

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, co-actor Ridhi Dogra revealed that she ensured all legal checks were clear before signing the project with Fawad Khan. "I don't think there's a division in art. Whenever we watch something, we watch it for the characters. We don't see nationality. I kept that in mind when choosing to work on the film."

She added, "The only care I took was in confirming whether or not I am allowed to work with said nationality (Pakistanis). And yes, our country and government permit us to do so. I did that homework."

Ridhi also shared, “People often told me to pursue a career abroad because it might be spiritually beneficial, but my love for our national heritage keeps me working in my home industry.”

The actors flew to London and began filming for the project in October. Director Aarti S Bagdi told Variety that the romantic-comedy story serves as a healing journey for the two main characters, who discover love along the way.

Fawad's return follows the 2019 ban by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) on Pakistani actors, which was imposed after tensions between the two countries escalated after the Pulwama attack.

In late 2023, the Bombay High Court relaxed the restrictions, and the Supreme Court dismissed a petition to ban Indian citizens from working with Pakistani artists.

Fawad's last Bollywood project was the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where he played a secondary love interest. The film starred Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai.