John Abraham on The Diplomat’s ban in Middle East: ‘This is not an anti-Pakistan film…’

When John Abraham’s The Diplomat released on March 14, Vicky Kaushal-Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava was also going very strong in the box office. While there were not too many Hindi movies that released during those times, The Diplomat took off slowly, collecting only Rs 13.3 crore on its opening weekend and Rs 19.15 crore on its first week. Though, the film picked up speed and has even survived the Sikandar storm, which released on March 30.

In spite of The Diplomat gaining steam, the film fell into disfavor as it was banned in many Middle Eastern nations. Yet, John, speaking to Hindustan Times, reiterated that the makers were concerned about people and nations being represented in the film. “Ritesh Shah penned a blockbuster script, but kudos to Shivam Nair as well. I told him that we don’t need to belittle another country or another human being to prove that we are better or bigger in any manner,” said John, adding that several recent films treaded this line of jingoism. He also said that one should understand that there are good and bad people everywhere, and makers should be sensitive about the portrayal of people and countries. “We didn’t cheat anybody or sell our souls for the film.”

Even though he considered deeply, The Diplomat was banned in the Middle East, and John Abraham reacted in disbelief and astonishment regarding the myopic mindset of some. “This is not an anti-Pakistani film. If anything, we demonstrated that Pakistan’s judiciary system is transparent. We demonstrated an honest Pakistani judge and an honest Pakistani lawyer.”. Even the patrolling cars that are taking us to the border had honest policemen. They are actually fighting against the other guys. So, we’ve in no way demeaned anybody.”

Discussing how the movie reached its audience at the release time despite the loud hush over The Diplomat, John commented, “Nobody knew when The Diplomat released. There was no confidence at all over the film from the partners who made it.” Yet, he thanked his critics and audience for keeping the film alive. “Audience always finds the good films.”

The Diplomat, which is directed by Shivam Nair, is about John Abraham’s JP Singh, the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Pakistan, and Sadia Khateeb, who portrays Uzma Ahmed, the lady claiming repatriation to India. In response to whether he appears to be comfortable playing a supporting role in a woman-centered story, John replied, “You have to be safe as an actor and you need to know what is your intention? Do you want to continue playing this glorified lead or do you want to tell a good story? There’s nothing wrong with either, but I want to do the latter. You have to be a bearer of a good story, which is something that we need to reinvent in our industry.