A special screening of Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer Phule, scheduled for Wednesday in Delhi with Maharashtra state minister Ramdas Athawale in attendance, was cancelled. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan condemned the act on X: “In the wake of this horrific terror attack, our hearts are with the victims and families. We stand united in our commitment to peace, resilience, and humanity. Violence will never silence the voice of compassion or break the strength of a country that stands together as we mourn.” The upcoming film is based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule.

Upcoming film Abir Gulaal has already courted controversy over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. In the wake of the attack, boycott calls for the film, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, began trending on X.

Ashoke Pandit, president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), tells us, “We as a federation have requested with folded hands to not encourage Pakistanis. They come up with bulls***t reasons like artiste, community... People think, ‘Agar mere ghar ka aadmi nahin mara toh f**k it, I don’t care’. (But) if this film’s heroine or makers’ family members had been shot by the terrorists, they won’t have worked (with Fawad)... Ultimately, it is nation first.”

Ashoke is also critical of cricketers playing matches with Pakistan in Dubai, like the Champion’s Trophy match earlier this year: “Woh bandook se maar rahe hain, aur hum bat ball ke saath khel rahe hain unke saath. Things have reached a saturation point. Public naraaz hai, aur baahar nikalke maaregi cricketers, artistes, aur singers ko. We will issue an order that anyone who works with a Pakistani artiste will be boycotted by the industry.”

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), makes it clear, “We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers.”