John Abraham, known for his straightforward approach and commitment to storytelling, has opened up about the unexpected success of his latest release The Diplomat, its ban in the Middle East, and his choice to stay away from publicity and lead roles. Despite a quiet release and little initial faith from stakeholders, the film has gained traction steadily, receiving more shows through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim. “No one knew when The Diplomat released. There was no confidence from the partners involved. So, for it to shine, I thank my critics and audience for keeping it alive. The audience always finds good films,” John Abraham says.
Avoiding jingoism was a conscious choice
John Abraham emphasizes that The Diplomat was never meant to be a jingoistic narrative. Instead, the team was committed to telling a balanced story that didn’t demean any country. “Ritesh Shah wrote a brilliant script, and director Shivam Nair ensured we stayed on track. We agreed that we don’t need to put anyone down to show ourselves as better. We walked a thin line and made sure not to rely on nationalism as a gimmick. There are good and bad people everywhere,” he shares. John Abraham also highlights how the film portrayed honest Pakistani characters, including a lawyer, a judge, and even police officers. This, he says, further proves that the ban in the Middle East is baffling. “We did not cheat or sell our souls for success,” he adds.
No pressure to stay in the spotlight
The actor has also embraced supporting roles, with The Diplomat being his second film after Vedaa where he isn’t the central character. John Abraham reveals it is a conscious move and stems from confidence in his craft. “You need to be secure as an actor to play secondary roles. It’s not always about playing a glorified lead but being part of a good story. That’s what matters to me. We need to reinvent how we tell stories in our industry,” he says.
Notably, John Abraham continues to stay away from heavy PR machinery, relying on content and audience judgment to carry his films forward. His trust in storytelling over stardom and his measured perspective on international relations reflect his evolving philosophy as both an actor and a producer.
