Aabeer Gulaal Review: Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor starrer romantic comedy movie, which was banned in India, followed by the Pahalgam attack, has been released in overseas theatres on September 12. The film, which created a buzz when it was announced and was banned for the Pakistani actor’s presence, could not impress the foreign critics.
Aabeer Gulaal has been heavily criticised and was called a problem. Well, it seems the double continues for the movie, even after several setbacks on its way. Let’s have a look at what the foreign critics have to say about the movie.
BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid called Aabeer Gulaal ‘cheap’, 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, inconsistent storyline, which is such an injustice to the talent that you’re working with. Fawad Khan is one of the best actors from Pakistan, you will know that he brings a certain amount of natural charm and charisma to whatever role he’s doing. This film requires nothing more than Fawad and Vaani to just look good on screen and hope that everything else will take care of itself. I genuinely have not had such a frustrating viewing experience in the cinema for a very long time. Add to that such poor finishing of the film, it feels like no attention has been paid to the colour grading of the film… Fawad and Vaani weren’t the problem, the film itself was a problem.”
Another reviewer from Gulf News, “Aabeer Gulaal is bloated, padded with unnecessary segues that drag the runtime. Lisa Haydon’s cameo is the biggest offender-it adds nothing, apart from reminding us that Bollywood can’t resist shoehorning in familiar faces. A tighter cut would have sharpened the storytelling and saved us from mid-movie fidgeting.”
A critic from Khaleej Times, “The film heavily dependent 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 cliche;. One can’t help but feel that Fawad deserved better – and so did the audience.”
What Is Aabeer Gulaal All About?
The movie is about two wounded souls, brought together by chance, who find solace in each other’s company and develop a profound connection that blossoms into love. Aabeer Gulaal stars Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor, Riddhi Dogra, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, Parmeet Sethi and Rahul Vohra in pivotal roles. It has been directed by Aarti Bagdi and produced by Firuzi Khan, Vivek Agrawal, Avantika Hari, Rakesh Sippy.