Mumbai: Bollywood actor John Abraham has made a bold statement on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, openly expressing his support for Russia while promoting his latest film, The Diplomat. The movie, directed by Shivam Nair, is currently playing in cinemas and has generated buzz both for its gripping storyline and Abraham’s candid political stance.
John Abraham’s Take on the Russia-Ukraine War
In an interview with Indian Media outlet Aaj Tak, Abraham did not shy away from voicing his admiration for Russia. “I’m a huge fan of Russia, I say this on record”, the actor declared, making his position unequivocally clear.
While he clarified that he does not support war in any form, he pointed out that Russia’s concerns over NATO’s expansion were ignored for decades. “I side with Russia because… of course, you don’t want war. Neither do I want people of Ukraine to die, not the people of Russia. But Russia has been screaming for 30 years asking NATO not to come. Nobody was listening. Finally, they did it”, he explained.
Support for India’s Neutral Stance
The Vedaa actor also commended India’s independent position on the geopolitical conflict, stating that the country has the right to make sovereign decisions, including purchasing Russian oil. He praised India’s diplomatic approach, calling External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar the “poster boy of Indian diplomacy”.
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The Diplomat: A Gripping True Story
Amidst these political discussions, The Diplomat has captivated audiences with its powerful narrative. The film is based on the real-life story of Uzma Ahmad, an Indian woman who was allegedly deceived into traveling to Pakistan, where she was forced to marry at gunpoint and subjected to abuse. The film chronicles how Indian diplomat J.P. Singh, portrayed by Abraham, orchestrated her dramatic rescue and safe return to India in 2017.
Sadia Khateeb delivers a compelling performance as Uzma Ahmad, bringing raw emotion and strength to the character. The movie’s intense storytelling and patriotic theme have resonated with viewers.
Box Office Performance
The Diplomat was released on March 14, 2025, coinciding with the Holi festival, which helped boost its opening day collection. According to Sacnilk, the film earned approximately Rs. 4 crore on its first day. The earnings saw a 12% rise on the second day, reaching around Rs. 4.5 crore. With a strong word-of-mouth response, the movie is expected to perform even better over the weekend.
Abraham’s performance, coupled with the gripping real-life storyline, has positioned The Diplomat as one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
