Actor John Abraham recently opened up about censorship in Indian cinema and his thoughts on political storytelling. In a conversation with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, the 52-year-old actor shared his experience with his upcoming film Tehran and the challenges of getting it approved for screening.
John Abraham Chooses Honesty Over Politics
John said he was thankful to the Ministry of External Affairs for allowing Tehran to be shown, admitting that it might not have made it to theatres without their support. He spoke about how censorship is necessary but questioned how it is currently managed. According to him, there needs to be a fair balance between creative freedom and regulatory rules.
The actor made it clear that he does not belong to any political side. “I’m not right-wing, I’m not left-wing, I’m apolitical but politically aware,” he said. For John, honesty in storytelling is important, and he prefers to stay true to his vision rather than chase commercial trends.
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He also expressed concern about the rise of politically charged films that are made to sway audiences. “When films are made with the intent to influence people in a highly political environment and they succeed, that’s scary,” John said. He confirmed that he has never been tempted to take that route, just as he avoids adult comedies, because it is simply not his style.
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Talking about his interactions with the censor board, John admitted that his films have been questioned several times. However, he believes that some members of the board are willing to listen if a filmmaker presents their point well.
John also reflected on the risks involved in making films like Tehran. “I know what I’m getting into with my eyes open. In management, there’s a saying “the higher the risk, the greater the reward,” he said, adding that risk is necessary to have a voice and make meaningful cinema.
Directed by Arun Gopalan, Tehran is set in 2012 and is not a patriotic film but shows India as it was during that time. The film will start streaming on ZEE5 from August 14.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
