Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, known for his roles in Kapoor and Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, is set to make a return to Indian cinema with an upcoming Bollywood rom-com directed by Aarti Bagdi. However, his decision to star in the film has drawn criticism from some Pakistani fans.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), a user criticized Fawad’s choice, saying, “Fawad Khan doesn't 'need' offers from Pakistan, he HAS offers from Pakistan. Tons of them. He has refused most of them. Mainstream, massive projects with A-list writers and actors and directors. But he's choosing to work with Vaani Kapoor in a rando Bwood film."

After the way he was treated We expected him to turn towards his own industry He is our superstar what about The industry that made him ?

— Sadaf Haider (@tomtomatoe) July 3, 2024

Director Asim Abbasi, known for his film Cake and upcoming project Barzakh starring Fawad Khan, came to the actor's defense. He questioned the criticism, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and artistic freedom. "Appreciate this isn’t my battle, but I am really curious to understand what the problem here is? We are individuals, free to make the choices we want to make for our careers and our fulfilment? Who is any random person to judge the people/geography we want to work with/in?" Abbasi wrote.

He continued, “Also OFFERS are subjective - we don’t have the same likes or interests. Despite the interest from some channels, I have ZERO interest in doing that content - it is not my style, my aesthetic - there is no definitive list of A-List. We are in a beautiful industry that should celebrate diversity and personal choices. We do what fulfills our soul."

Another critic on X expressed disappointment, stating, "After the way he was treated, we expected him to turn towards his own industry. He is our superstar. What about the industry that made him?" Abbasi responded, questioning the concept of an "own" industry, and highlighting his own challenges in getting Cake made. "What is 'own' industry? If I only had an 'own' industry, Cake would have never been made? Every single TV channel threw me out of their offices because there was nothing commercial in my film?" he wrote.

Despite the backlash, Abbasi emphasized the importance of following one's heart and artistic desires. "Not fighting at all. But we all want to do things that our heart desires, even if the world doesn’t understand our choices/decisions. Hence, I was speaking out," he said. He also urged fans to let actors pursue their careers as they see fit, adding, "All of you seem disappointed, and that saddens me. An actor is acting. Let them act as they want to, where they want to, and who they want to be with."

Fawad’s upcoming Bollywood project with Vaani Kapoor will be shot entirely in the UK and will mark Eastwood Studios' first international collaboration. The film will narrate the story of two broken people who come together by a stroke of luck, helping each other and ultimately falling in love.

Meanwhile, Fawad will also star in Asim Abbasi’s supernatural romance Barzakh, alongside Sanam Saeed. The film explores the emotional journey of a 76-year-old man who plans to marry the ghost of his first love and will be released simultaneously on Zindagi's YouTube and ZEE5.