In an age where visibility, algorithms and constant access have become integral to stardom, John Abraham remains one of Bollywood’s more private actors. He tells us how protecting that space has never felt particularly difficult.

“I actually don’t find it difficult. I’ve always believed that not everything needs to be shared. Some things become more valuable when they remain personal,” he says. While he understands why visibility has become central to the way celebrities operate today, the Force actor says he has never felt compelled to change his approach.

“The world has changed, and I completely understand why many people choose to be more visible today. But I’ve never felt pressured to do something simply because the ecosystem demands it. At the end of the day, I want people to engage with my work. If they connect with my films, that’s enough for me,” he explains.

In an earlier interview with us John also spoke about not going against the grain in the industry. Whether it was taking on grey characters early on in his career, staying away from the party circuit or maintaining a relatively restrained presence on social media, the Satyameva Jayate actor said his choices were never part of a carefully constructed effort to appear unconventional.

“I don’t know if I’d call it a conscious choice. It’s just who I’ve always been. I’ve never had a strategy to be different or going against the grain. I’ve simply tried to make choices that felt authentic to me at that particular point in my life and career. The truth is, trends change every few years. What’s considered the right thing to do today may be completely different tomorrow. If you keep chasing that, it can get exhausting,” he said.

After 27 years in the industry, John Abraham continues to chart his own course. From modelling to films, and from action blockbusters to roles that push him out of his comfort zone, the actor has rarely followed convention. In a conversation with Bombay Times, he opens up about longevity, resisting trends and making choices on his own terms. Excerpts:

Having spent years navigating an industry where staying relevant can be as challenging as making an entry, John says persistence has been one of the biggest constants in his journey.

“I’ve always believed that if you’re convinced about something, you shouldn’t be afraid to take a different path. When I started out, there wasn’t really a template for what I was doing. A lot of people thought certain things couldn’t be done. But I was never interested in following trends. I was interested in building my own journey,” he says, adding, “What gives me satisfaction is longevity. I’ve been fortunate enough to work consistently for a long time, and that’s never something you can take for granted in this industry.”

That sense of conviction has also shaped the choices John has made along the way. Whether it was taking on grey characters early on in his career, staying away from the party circuit or maintaining a relatively restrained presence on social media, the Satyameva Jayate actor says his choices were never part of a carefully constructed effort to appear unconventional.

“I don’t know if I’d call it a conscious choice. It’s just who I’ve always been. I’ve never had a strategy to be different or going against the grain. I’ve simply tried to make choices that felt authentic to me at that particular point in my life and career. The truth is, trends change every few years. What’s considered the right thing to do today may be completely different tomorrow. If you keep chasing that, it can get exhausting,” he says.

John will reunite with the Force franchise for its third installment, sharing screen space with Harshvardhan Rane. Talking about returning to the action-packed franchise, he says, “We’re still in the process of putting everything together, so I don’t want to reveal too much. But what I can say is that we’re approaching it with a lot of ambition. The Force franchise has always been rooted in strong action, but audiences today expect much more than that. They want emotion, character and scale. Harshvardhan brings a unique energy and intensity, and I’m looking forward to audiences seeing what we’re building together.”

The actor recently presented the documentary Test Subject V. Talking about it, he says, "The first thing that struck me was that it didn’t feel like a documentary in the conventional sense. It felt like a very human story. On the surface, it’s about one man’s experiment, but underneath that it’s really about curiosity, self-discovery and having the courage to question things you’ve accepted your whole life. What also impressed me was the way it was told. It’s entertaining, it’s funny, it’s emotional, and it’s packaged in a way that feels very accessible to Indian audiences. I felt people would genuinely enjoy watching it while also taking something meaningful away from it. That’s what made me want to support it."

Talking about Kunal Avanti, who made the project, he adds, "He is persistent. Anyone can start a project. Very few people have the conviction to stay with it through years of challenges and uncertainty. That determination is something I respect a lot because I’ve experienced my own version of it throughout my career."

While the documentary is getting good reviews, John on a parting note states, "We live in a world where we’re constantly told what to think, what to believe and how to live. This film doesn’t do that. It simply invites people to ask questions and explore things for themselves. If audiences leave the film a little more open-minded, a little more reflective and perhaps willing to look at things from a different perspective, I think that’s a wonderful outcome."

Mumbai: Actor John Abraham, one of the most prolific investors in Mumbai’s real estate, has purchased a bungalow in Bandra West for a reported Rs 84 crore.

The bungalow, built in 1926, is owned by a Parsi family, the DeVitres, and is in a quiet lane called St Martin Road that connects Bandra’s landmark Turner Road to the bustling Hill Road. It has a nondescript name: 20, St Martin Road. It has four bedrooms, a large hall, a garden with fruit-bearing trees and an outhouse.

Does the actor plan to redevelop the property? “He has no such plans. He just loved the place,’’ said a person aware of the transaction.

Fredun DeVitre, co-owner of the property, told TOI: “The children have settled abroad, and they essentially wanted us to settle things now. The family was not keen on selling it to a developer, who would tear it down and build a tower.”

In December 2023, Abraham purchased a bungalow on Linking Road, Khar, for Rs 75 crore. The property, 372 Nirmal Bhavan, is a ground-plus-two storey structure, which belonged to Pravin Nathalal Shah and family. The plot is located in a prime area of Linking Road, which commands one of the highest commercial property rates in the city.

Abraham is one of several Bollywood personalities who have heavily invested in real estate. In 2009, he bought a prime plot at Union Park near Petit School in Bandra West from a Parsi family, the Rattanshas.

Property experts said many Bollywood celebrities invest in real estate, including luxury apartments, villas and commercial spaces for personal or investment reasons.

Some have launched their own real estate firms or partnered with existing developers to create housing projects, resorts or other real estate ventures. Others have also forayed into interior design and home decor businesses.

Property market and film industry sources said leading celebrities invest in residential and commercial projects or buy sprawling penthouses, row houses and bungalows for personal use. The preferred locations are in the suburb between Bandra and Andheri.

Cycling has been a constant in Harshvardhan Rane’s life, from racing to school on a red bicycle as a child to navigating Mumbai’s busy streets today. On World Bicycle Day, the actor marked the occasion with an exclusive shoot for Bombay Times at the Worli Promenade cycling track, arriving at 6.30 am on a road bike gifted to him by John Abraham. Dressed in shorts and a tank top, he spoke about the joy, freedom and life lessons he has found on two wheels.

He recalls, “As a child, I had a red cycle. That was my first transportation capsule. I felt like I was flying. I used to race to school and once a bus driver actually caught me by my ears, brought me home and complained to my father.”

Harshvardhan also has a sweet cycling story from his school days. “There was a girl I liked, and she liked me too. One day, she wasn’t feeling well, so I offered to drop her home on my cycle. Sitting behind made it difficult to balance, so we awkwardly decided that she would sit on the front bar instead. I think that was the closest I ever got to her,” he says with a smile.

Years later, cycling returned to Harshvardhan’s life in a much bigger way. Today, he owns both a mountain bike and a road bike, and swears by the sport as one of the best forms of fitness. “You are working your muscles, but not hurting your joints. Cycling makes you experience the environment more than walking or running because you cover more distance. Cycle pe breeze bahut achchi lagti hai,” he says.

The actor believes cycling is a smart way to beat Mumbai traffic. He shares, “I used to travel from Andheri to Bandra every day for my fitness training, and it would take me 55 minutes. Then I started cycling, and the journey was reduced to 22 minutes. Even though there aren’t dedicated cycle lanes everywhere, once you start, you figure it out. If you want to reach your destination faster, cycling is one of the best ways to cut through Mumbai traffic.”

Harshvardhan is particularly excited about Mumbai’s growing cycling infrastructure and believes spaces like the Worli Promenade can transform how the city approaches fitness. “I like this dedicated cycling track. It’s nice to see so many enthusiastic cyclists at this hour. I believe we should focus on what we can do rather than complain. Blaming has never been in my nature.”

Perhaps the most insightful lesson Harshvardhan has taken from cycling comes from the gears themselves. The Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat actor says, “Cycling has taught me how to navigate life. If you use your gears wisely, the ride becomes easier. A bigger gear helps you move with less effort, while a smaller gear helps you pick up speed. Easy or fast — that’s your choice. I relate that to life. The distance is fixed and your strength is limited, but if you use your virtues like gears, life can become easier or faster, depending on where you are in your journey.”

Talking about a special gift that he got from John Abraham with whom he will be seen in Force 3, Harshvardhan says, “I used to cycle every day to my fitness trainer Vinod Channa sir’s gym when John Abraham sir noticed it. One day, he said, ‘Harsh, you are the right person for this,’ and gifted me his personal road bike. That was a special gift.”

At the screening of a documentary feature in the city recently, the attendees were in for a pleasant surprise as actor-producer John Abraham joined them. John, who has been championing the cause of animal welfare, spoke about co-existence and more at the screening of Oslo, which tells the story of a Siberian Husky with a strong Pune connection.

“I’m proud to be associated with this project because it’s a topic close to my heart. I always say ‘Adopt, don’t shop’. At the same time we all should understand that this world is a shared platform. It doesn’t belong to us humans alone,” John told us.

He added, “Cruelty to animals should ends and laws need to change. There are good people in this country and world who work for animals and I wish that tribe grows. We stand up for shared existence and hope the best happens to animals around us.”

Are big screens only meant for tentpole films? That’s the notion increasingly gaining weight in the film industry, as mid-size movies struggle to draw footfall. Producer and actor John Abraham, however, does not buy the theory. The actor, who has produced Oslo: A Tail Of Promise, is preparing the documentary for a theatrical release. Directed by Isha Pungaliya, the 93-minute offering will have a curated release in cinemas from February 28.

For Abraham, the choice to bring the non-fiction feature to theatres is deliberate. He is guided by the singular belief that good stories deserve a big platform.

He shared, “As a producer, I’ve never believed that the big screen should be reserved only for big films. Cinema halls are not just for spectacle; they are for an immersive experience. When I watched Oslo, I felt it needed to be released theatrically. In the theatre, you surrender to the material.”

Oslo: A Tail Of Promise traces how Oslo, a Siberian Husky, came into the life of Pooja R Bhale — Protecterra Ecological Foundation’s founder — as a puppy and supported her when her indie dog fell ill. For Abraham, who has thrown his weight behind diverse movies, backing them is less about risk and more about responsibility.

He reasoned, “If producers like us don’t create space for stories that are unconventional, then who will? The ecosystem only grows when you allow different voices to co-exist.”

Force 3's maker's hunt for their leading lady has come to an end. Mirror has exclusively learnt that actress Vedika Pinto has joined the cast of Force 3 as the female lead. Pinto, who made her debut with Operation Romeo and was recently seen in Anurag Kashyap's Nishaanchi. "Her character is paired opposite John Abraham in the movie," tells a source.

We reached out to Vedika, but didn't get a response.

Force 3 is the upcoming third instalment in the high-octane Force franchise, originally launched in 2011 with John Abraham as ACP Yashvardhan Singh. The first film was directed by Nishikant Kamat and went on to become a sleeper hit. For Force 3, John Abraham has reacquired the franchise rights and handed the directorial reins to Bhav Dhulia.

Earlier the makers were in touch with actress Meenakshi Choudhary to play the lead, however, Meenakshi chose an Akshay Kumar movie over Force 3. Force 3 will also star Harshvardhan Rane.

Interestingly, it was John’s team that reached out to Harshvardhan overnight after the strong response to his latest outing, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.

Rane was previously seen in Sanam Teri Kasam, Haseen Dillruba, and Taish.

Known to advocate for animal welfare, actor and producer John Abraham is now fighting for animal rights in the language he knows best — cinema. He has thrown his weight behind director Isha Pungaliya’s documentary, Oslo: A Tail Of Promise, which will première at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, this month. At a time when the Supreme Court of India has ordered the removal of stray dogs from public spaces, and their vaccination and sterilisation before being sent to shelters, this film offers a profound message — adopt, don’t shop.

It’s a message that resonates with environment educator Pooja R Bhale, who is at the centre of Oslo: A Tail Of Promise. The docu traces how Oslo, a Siberian Husky, entered Bhale’s life as a traumatised puppy and supported her when Mahua, an indie dog, fell ill.

“I believe Oslo adopted me rather than me adopting him,” she says, before adding, “This film exists because Oslo changed my life. In sharing that truth, I hope more people understand that the greatest companionship you will ever have will be with an animal you give a home to.”

For director Pungaliya, the film was a means to focus “on our relationships with the greater world and not just human narratives."

When The Family Man premiered in 2019, it changed things for Priya Mani Raj. The National Award-winning actress, already a familiar name in South Indian cinema, found herself connecting with a whole new audience across India.

“Definitely, 200%,” she laughs when asked how much of a gamechanger it was. “I’m so happy, so fortunate that I got to be part of such a wonderful series,” says Priya Mani, who will soon be seen in season 3 of the web series featuring Manoj Bajpayee and created by Raj & DK.

In an industry where auditions were the norm, the opportunity to work on the show came to Priya Mani in the most unexpected manner. “It all began when Mukesh Chhabra (casting director) called me and said there’s a project he wanted to talk about,” she recalls.

“The next day, I met Raj and DK and they narrated the story to me for about half an hour. At that point, I wasn’t even sure if I was part of it. That’s because in Mumbai, the norm is that you have to audition and I was ready for that. After the narration, my husband said, ‘You idiot, they’ve spent 45 minutes explaining the whole thing to you — that means you’re doing it!’” she laughs. “And that’s how it happened.”

Talking about the audition process, Priya Mani points out that this culture didn’t exist in the South earlier. “Of late, they’ve started auditions, but not to the level of what happens here,” she explains. “Casting directors and agencies are just coming into the picture now. Until about five years ago, I don’t think there was anything like that in the South.”

She sees it as a positive change. “There’s nothing wrong in auditioning and proving your mettle. Sometimes people might know of you but not really know what you can do. It’s just showing them, ‘Look, I can also do this.’ There’s absolutely nothing wrong in that,” the actress adds.

Despite her long career, though, Priya Mani reveals that she has barely auditioned. “I have never really been called for any auditions. I went for an audition once for a John Abraham film, but I don’t know what happened to that. Maybe it didn’t work out and that’s okay. It’s a part and parcel of life. You can’t expect everything to click. I was just glad I went and gave it a shot.”

Following the positive response to his portrayal of Himel Majumder in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, Mimoh Chakraborty is eager to explore more versatile and meaningful characters. However, his journey in showbiz has been far from easy. Soon after his debut with Jimmy (2008), he was written off by many. What kept him going was the unrelenting spirit he witnessed at home, that of his father, the legendary Mithun Chakraborty.

Mimoh shares, “My father’s legacy speaks volumes that words can barely do justice to. However, there’s one thing he told me that has stayed with me. He said, ‘Mimoh, you know my struggles. If I didn’t give up in those conditions back then, what right do you have to give up now?’ His struggles were far worse than mine. He had nothing, sometimes not even one proper meal a day. He would have lunch but wouldn’t know where dinner was coming from. Still, he never gave up.”

Recalling one such story, the actor adds, “He told me how he used to walk three to four kilometres every morning to Talwalkar’s gym in Pali Hill. He didn’t have money or a membership, so he struck a deal with the watchman. He would clean the bathrooms in exchange for a chance to work out. That’s how determined he was to build a physique good enough to become a villain in Bollywood, but destiny had other plans for him, and he became a hero.”

The actor also credits Salman Khan for being a constant source of encouragement. He says, “Bhai has always been close to our family and has helped me with many projects, even though some didn’t take off. He is always just one phone call away. Even Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, and Arjun Rampal have given me great advice and supported me in their own way. These are acts of kindness I will never forget.”

For veteran actor Paresh Rawal, life seems to have come full circle. His 2005 Priyadarshan-directed blockbuster Garam Masala, starring Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, completes 20 years this year, and coincidentally, Rawal has reunited with the filmmaker for two new projects in 2025. “Yes, life does come full circle. Working with Priyan was enjoyable then, and it still is now,” he smiles.

Recalling the cult comedy, he says, “Garam Masala was based on the famous French play Boeing-Boeing, which had already been adapted into several languages, including Gujarati. But what made it special was that it brought together two studs, Akshay and John, with such flair on screen. The glamorous air-hostess characters were also something new for Hindi cinema back then.”

Talking about his memorable character, Mambo, he explains, “He wasn’t just a caretaker but also a silent observer, adding the perfect layer of humour. The pace of the film was its biggest strength, we were constantly switching between scenes, rooms, and even small details like changing photographs in a frame. There was no time to pause, and that urgency created natural comedy.”

Rawal says that the film’s success also came from its easy camaraderie on set. “Haste, muskuraate shoot karte, Garam Masala became a truly memorable experience,” he recalls fondly. On his approach to humour, the actor adds, “Comedy is a serious business. You can’t treat it lightly, or it turns into slapstick. Bahut log wahi galti karte hain, and that’s where things go wrong.”

Recently seen in Thamma, Rawal says he that continues to be drawn to stories that challenge him. “Any role that scares me a little is worth taking up. I’ll always do comedy because it connects instantly with people. These are difficult times, laughter is what keeps us going,” he ends.

Actor Neetu Chandra made her Bollywood debut with Garam Masala and still remembers the film as pure joy. “What a blast it was! During the shoot of Dil Samundar, the choreographer was losing it because the steps weren’t syncing and Akshay sir and John were just cracking up. We all ended up laughing more than rehearsing.”

Looking back, Neetu says the film still holds a special place in her heart: “I’ve watched Garam Masala several times, and it’s still as funny as ever. My favourite characters, Mac (Akshay Kumar) and Mambo (Paresh Rawal), are unforgettable. The way Paresh ji played the caretaker role was just brilliant, it redefined how such characters were written in Bollywood.”

“I am obsessed with how I portray India on screen,” says John Abraham. The actor recently played the role of a diplomat (The Diplomat, 2025) and a police officer (Tehran, 2025). Earlier, he has portrayed an IAS officer in Parmanu and a police officer in films like Force and Batla House. On the other hand, he has also been part of comedy films like Housefull 2 and played the quintessential antihero in Pathaan. In a recent chat, the actor-producer speaks to us about how he occupies two different worlds depending upon whether he is wearing a producer’s hat or an actor’s hat.

John says that he occupies two cinematic worlds depending upon which hat he is wearing. As a producer, he wants to make a difference with the kind of films he produces, and as an actor he loves action and comedy films.

“As a producer, I can’t produce a Housefull (2010) kind of a film. But as an actor, I did a Housefull 2 (2012). As a producer, there are a lot of films that I cannot do. I’m not equipped to do them. But as an actor, I fit in. Like Pathaan (2023) – it is too big a film for me to even fathom producing at this point of time. That’s for the calibre of an Aditya Chopra, who can conceive and make a film like that. As an actor, I want to do films like Pathaan because I enjoy the space. I enjoy doing films like Dostana (2008) and Desi Boyz (2011). Maybe at some point I’ll transition to producing these big-budget films, but at this point – no! So, as an actor, it’s a different mindset and as a producer, it’s a different mindset.”

John adds that even when he’s making commercial films, there’s intention behind it. “Commercial films toh karni hi hai. As John Abraham the star, action is inseparable. But I also crave depth.”

Speaking at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, John says that he keeps rejecting offers worth crores for endorsing pan masala brands or to dance at weddings. “The decision of whether you want to do certain things in your career that actually do not speak for who you really are – that’s a moral choice and a subconscious choice. Pan masala, for example. They give us a lot of money. But would I endorse pan masala? I wouldn’t. Again, I’m not pointing a finger at people who do. I’m talking about what is right and wrong for me. I would not do it because I think it is possibly dangerous for someone’s health. I made a choice that I won’t dance at marriage functions. Now, is it right or wrong? It’s not wrong. Actors do it. Nothing wrong with it. The Beyoncés of the world are coming to dance at our weddings here. It’s a personal choice. But would I do it? No,” he says, adding, “There are certain moral choices I make in my life as a person that probably go against the grain of my job.”

John says that he is fully aware of his image as an action star. He says, “You can’t fake sincerity. You must live the role. With The Diplomat, the compliment I cherished the most was people saying, ‘Only your facial muscles acted.’” To essay the role of diplomat J P Singh in the film, John met him multiple times, observed him and exchanged notes.

He says, “Diplomats are incredibly sharp. Our diplomats like Mr S Jaishankar, J P Singh – they command such respect. I met many real officers and was awestruck by their calmness and dedication.”

Talking about Tehran he says, “I research a lot, I know what I’m presenting. We were very careful with Tehran. We showed all sides with fairness. My grandfather came from Iran in 1939. My mother still speaks Farsi. I had to learn it for the film. So there’s an emotional connection. It’s in my blood.”

After wrapping up a series of outdoor shoots in South Mumbai, filmmaker Rohit Shetty has taken the production of his next, the Rakesh Maria biopic, to Mira Road. mid-day has learnt that Shetty and actor John Abraham are currently filming in Ellora Studios, where a set of a police station has been built. During this two-week leg, the actor-director duo will focus on dramatic police station scenes and high-intensity interrogation sequences.

The yet-untitled film is an adaptation of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Maria’s autobiography, Let Me Say It Now, and traces some of his significant cases.

A production insider reveals, “The South Mumbai portions gave the real-world texture to the story. Now, we’ve shifted to a more controlled set-up. Unlike Rohit’s past cop action movies, this one is being mounted as a gritty procedural drama. We are filming the interrogation scenes of the many high-profile investigations that Maria headed. Every day, we shoot with a crowd of 50 to 100 people.”

According to unit sources, the movie includes five major action set-pieces, all of which will be filmed towards August-end. The film is aiming for a 2026 release. The insider adds, “The post-production will begin soon. Rohit is approaching this one differently. It’s not just an action spectacle; it will be a deep dive into the mind of a man who faced some of Mumbai’s darkest chapters.”

akash.bhatnagar@​partner.hindustantimes.com

John Abraham-starrer The Diplomat this month made its way to OTT and has been earning rave reviews. While the web medium has become the go-to platform for everyone, including many stars, John, who also produced The Diplomat, has no plans to foray into OTT any time soon.

“To do OTT, you need a big office setup. You need a lot of people working towards something where you don’t even own the IP. You make a commission from the series and that goes into your overheads. So, I don’t see any sense in breaking a sweat on doing these series,” says the producer.

Does that mean the 52-year-old would never back an OTT project, even if it’s a substantial one? “I’d love to do that [as a creator]. But that would happen because I want to tell that story, not because I want to make a business model out of it.”

But how about foraying into the space as an actor? “At this point, I don’t want to come on OTT for a series or film. In my head, I believe I was made for the big screen. I have a lot of respect for OTT though, because most of the content, at least internationally, and some Indian projects too, are outstanding,” he responds.

Meanwhile, there’s buzz about a film on his character Jim from Pathaan (2023) being planned in the spy universe.

Mention this to John, and he says, “I’d love to work with (producer) Aditya Chopra again, because if there is one person who has positioned me perfectly as a hero or anti-hero, it’s him. First Dhoom (2004), then Kabul Express (2006), then New York (2009) and then Pathaan. So yes, I’d love to do a film in the spy universe.”

In February, mid-day reported that John Abraham and Rohit Shetty would be teaming up for an action film (Taking a break from cops, not action, Feb 1). Over two months on, the actor-director duo is ready to roll their project, which is a screen adaptation of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria’s autobiography, Let Me Say It Now. mid-day has learnt that the film will go on floors on April 18 at Essel Studio in Trombay. Shetty has apparently charted out a four-month schedule for the actioner, and hopes to complete a chunk by June-end.

The filmmaker is known for creating his cop universe in Bollywood. But unlike his cop entertainers, the yet-untitled movie will mark a tonal departure for Shetty as he attempts his first real-life story. Sources say that the film, backed by Shetty and Abraham along with a studio, is being mounted on a budget of over Rs. 100 crore and will chronicle the supercop’s storied 36-year career.

An insider tells us, “Rohit always wanted to make a cop film rooted in truth. Rakesh Maria’s life reads like a thriller; it’s intense and has many high points, from his investigation of the 1993 Bombay blasts and the 26/11 attacks, to his brush with the underworld. Maria and Shetty have been in talks for a while, and it’s finally starting now. With the autobiography serving as the blueprint, the film will trace the story of a Bandra boy becoming a cop, his relationship with Mumbai and how he played a crucial role in protecting the city that faced many attacks.”

Insiders tell us that the movie will be shot across 40 locations in Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dongri, and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

The source adds, “In the first schedule, Rohit will focus on Maria’s early days in the force. About 150 crew members will be on set, including action coordinators, prosthetics experts, and a research team on standby. A set depicting the Maharashtra ATS headquarters will also be erected.”

mid-day reached out to Shetty, who didn’t respond till press time.

John Abraham’s latest film The Diplomat may have released last month with barely a whisper, but it is quietly building momentum. Despite minimal pre-release buzz, the film has seen a steady rise in audience interest, with more shows being added across theatres.

“No one knew when The Diplomat released. There was absolutely no confidence from the partners involved in the film. I want to thank my critics and my audience for keeping it alive. The audience always finds the good films,” says the actor who also produced the film.

He takes pride in the fact that it didn’t depend on “nationalistic jingoism”, calling it a conscious decision. “We walked a thin line... Ritesh (Shah, screenwriter) wrote a banger of a script, but I also give credit to my director Shivam (Nair)... Shivam and I discussed very categorically that this cannot be a jingoism film,” the 52-year-old shares, adding, “Apne aap ko ooncha dikhane ke liye kisi aur ko neecha dikhane ki zarurat nahin hai. We’ve seen too many of them in the recent past.”

Leaning away from formulaic success, this is John’s second outing playing a secondary character to a female lead after Vedaa (2024). “It comes out of security,” he says, elaborating, “You have to be secure as an actor, and you need to know what your intention is. Do you want to keep playing a glorified lead, or do you want to tell a good story? You have to be a carrier of a good story, which is something that we must reinvent in our industry.”

The film has been banned in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. Shocked at this outcome, the actor opines, “People are very myopic in their vision. We have in no way demeaned anybody. We didn’t cheat anybody or sell our souls for the film. This is not an anti-Pakistan film. If anything, we’ve showed that the judiciary in Pakistan is honest.”

John Abraham has stepped into the shoes of (right) senior diplomat JP Singh for the film

With The Diplomat, actor-producer John Abraham and director Shivam Nair are bringing a political thriller inspired by the 2017 episode of Uzma Ahmed’s repatriation. It has been learnt that ahead of its March 14 release, the makers screened the movie for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the first week of March. Following that, on March 6, the Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, and Revathy-starrer was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a mandate—the makers were instructed to add a disclaimer stating that they support maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries.   

In The Diplomat, Khateeb’s character is modelled on Ahmed, who, in May 2017, had escaped from her husband’s house in Pakistan, and knocked on the doors of the Indian Embassy in Islamabad for help, claiming that she was forced to marry him at gunpoint. Indian diplomat J P Singh, who had led her repatriation to India, is played by Abraham. Sources indicate that the MEA screening focused on ensuring that the film’s narrative did not adversely affect India’s diplomatic ties with Pakistan. The CBFC’s demand for the disclaimer was a step towards that.

A source says, “Considering the film is centred on international diplomacy, a visual and an audio disclaimer was added to emphasize that while the core matter may be inspired by a true incident, its portrayal of geopolitical tensions is dramatized and does not reflect the Indian government’s stance. The film is set in Pakistan. It was important to highlight this aspect since the two countries’ relations are a sensitive matter.”

The source adds that the CBFC has allowed many real names to be used, beginning with Khateeb’s character being named after Ahmed. “Sushma Swaraj [then Minister of External Affairs], J P Singh and Prashant Jadhav’s names have been used in portions after the makers submitted relevant documents. A scene of a young boy killing a woman has been reduced, and an expletive, muted,” states the source.

Actor John Abraham is the latest celeb to weigh in on the debate over skyrocketing star salaries and entourage costs, calling it a major issue for the film industry. When asked about “heroes charging Rs. 100 crore per film and stylists demanding Rs. 2 lakh per day,” he didn’t hold back.

“It’s already hurting Hindi cinema. At this point in time, we shouldn’t be paying people to act in films because we don’t justify those huge budgets. The huge fees that we get paid, and we can’t load a film with entourage costs as well. It’s ridiculous,” he told The Hollywood Reporter India, adding, “I don’t know if actors are thinking this way or is it their agent making them think differently... You are put in a bubble but you can’t be so daft... If people are blowing sunshine from your backside, you need to wake up and smell the coffee.”

The 52-year-old also feels that actors should “admit we are down the deep black hole”: “How much more will you suck the system dry? But you can’t clap with one hand. There are producers who are willing to pay those obscene amounts.”

Earlier, filmmakers Karan Johar and Farah Khan Kunder had spoken about the issue.