Creative Freedom: Accepts that propaganda films will always exist as filmmaking allows all kinds of stories.
New Delhi, 26 August 2025
Bollywood actor John Abraham, known for his action-packed roles and politically charged films, has spoken candidly about the current socio-political climate and its influence on cinema. In a recent interview with PTI, the actor said that India today is witnessing a “hyper political environment” where religion is conclusively dividing society, creating an atmosphere that is not the most conducive to live in. Against this backdrop, Abraham expressed concern that some films are exploiting these divides for commercial gain, relying on loud tropes rather than nuance or craft.
The actor, who has carved a niche for himself with geopolitical thrillers, emphasised that patriotism in cinema need not be synonymous with jingoism. “There are films that are patriotic that make a lot of sense,” he said, pointing to his film The Diplomat as an example. In the movie, he portrayed diplomat J P Singh, who rescued an Indian woman trapped in Pakistan. According to Abraham, the story reflected true patriotism in a “resilient, silent and restrained way,” without resorting to chest-thumping nationalism.
Tracing his career, Abraham began his film journey with the 2003 romantic thriller Jism and later found mainstream success in comedies like Garam Masala and Dostana. Over time, however, he gravitated towards films dealing with politics, national security, and diplomacy, with titles such as Madras Cafe, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, Tehran and most recently The Diplomat. This transition, he said, was a conscious choice to engage with meaningful stories that balance entertainment with responsibility.
While acknowledging that propaganda films will always exist because filmmaking is a creative medium where people are free to make the kind of stories they want to, Abraham admitted it was “scary” to see certain films today being reduced to formulaic narratives that exploit sensitive issues to draw audiences. He urged for more films that portray patriotism with subtlety, restraint, and dignity rather than exaggerated nationalism.
For Abraham, the power of cinema lies not in playing to divisive sentiments but in crafting stories that resonate with truth, responsibility, and human values. His comments underline the urgent need for balanced storytelling in an industry where the line between creative freedom and political opportunism is increasingly blurred.
