John Abraham’s latest political drama, The Diplomat, has quietly become a sleeper hit back home but the film has run into unexpected trouble overseas. It has been banned in several Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. There’s been no official explanation, but the decision has left the actor surprised and disappointed.
In an interview, John addressed the backlash. “We’ve shown Pakistani characters—lawyers, judges, even cops—as upright and principled. This is not a film made to insult any country. If anything, we were careful to show a fair picture,” he said. The actor added that the film avoids nationalist chest-thumping, something he was clear about from the start.
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Directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah, The Diplomat is inspired by the real-life efforts of Indian diplomat J.P. Singh, who helped rescue a young woman, Uzma Ahmed, from a forced marriage in Pakistan. The film presents the behind-the-scenes diplomacy, legal hurdles, and emotional tension involved in international rescue missions.
John admitted the team faced low expectations before release. “There was no big launch or marketing push. It just quietly released on March 14. But the audience found it, and that’s what matters,” he said. The film has since picked up steam with more shows added in Indian cinemas.
Taking on a more grounded role after Vedaa, where he wasn’t the main lead, John said he’s no longer chasing screen time. “You don’t need to scream patriotism or always play the hero to be part of a powerful story,” he said. “I want to be part of good stories, not just play the same glorified character again and again.”
Interestingly, John also revealed he’s been navigating his career without a PR team. “I’ve built whatever goodwill I have through my work, not through publicity stunts,” he said. For him, the focus remains on substance over style.
Despite the Middle East ban, The Diplomat is quietly making its mark, thanks to strong word-of-mouth and an honest, balanced portrayal of complex geopolitical realities. As John put it, “There are good and bad people everywhere. We chose to show that and nothing more, nothing less.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.