Actor John Abraham recently shared his thoughts on the evolving nature of Hindi cinema. In a recent conversation, the actor expressed concerns over the industry’s shifting secular values and the rise of propaganda films. He further spoke about the ‘sadistic pleasure’ people in the industry take when someone’s film flops.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, John discussed Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Kashmir Files‘, which, despite being viewed by many as a propaganda film, was a massive success at the box office. He acknowledged the film’s effectiveness but refrained from labelling it as propaganda.
When asked whether cinema still serves as a unifying force, John remarked that he does not think it is as secular as it used to be. He further highlighted the contrast between Hollywood and Bollywood, stating, “It is important to be secular and have that fabric here. I feel we are walking a very tightrope now,” he added.
According to him, ‘The Kashmir Files’ was effective because the story resonated with audiences. As a viewer, the movie affected him, and he preferred to give all the credit to its director, Vivek Agnihotri.
The ‘Pathaan‘ actor also spoke about his support for fellow actors and filmmakers. He shared that he personally congratulated Vicky Kaushal and producer Dinesh Vijan for the success of ‘Chhaava‘, as he believes in appreciating people in the industry for their achievements rather than dwelling on failures.
“I am probably one of the few, but I celebrate when any film does well. We have a tendency to write obituaries and write people off, saying within the industry, ‘Voh pit gayi, pit gayi’ (It flopped). There’s a sadistic pleasure,” he noted.
He messaged both Vicky and Dinesh to express his happiness over the success of ‘Chhaava’, as well as their effort in bringing audiences back to the theatres.
John is gearing up for the release of his next film ‘The Diplomat‘ on March 14.
