John Abraham has not been feeling the love from the Indian audience. The Bollywood actor, currently on a promotion streak for his new film The Diplomat, shared in a recent interview that his Oscar-nominated film Water (2005) received no praise from his fellow countrymen but international recognition was more prominent.
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During a conversation with ticketing platform BookMyShow’s YouTube channel, Abraham was asked which of his films he would want to see re-released on Indian big screens, he mentioned Deepa Mehta directorial Water. The film, detailing the harsh lives of widows forced into prostitution, was an Indo-Canadian production and sent to the 2006 Academy Awards as Canada’s pick for Best Foreign Film. Though the film found a spot among the nominees, it failed to clinch the coveted golden statue. “Water went to the Academy Awards and was nominated as one of the Best Foreign Films, but in India, it didn’t even run one show,” Abraham said.
On the contrary, he received much love from the international community, recalling an encounter with the acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List, Jaws) who complimented his acting. “When I went to the awards, I had the honour of meeting Steven Spielberg, and he loved my performance in Water, whereas no one here even saw it for a day. I remember Charlize Theron talking to me and saying that. I loved what you were processing, but no one here talked about that.”
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Abraham’s new film The Diplomat will hit theatres on March 14. Based on real events, the film follows Indian diplomat J.P. Singh as he helps Uzma Ahmed, a woman forced into marrying a Pakistani, return to India. However, the job is tough as many consider her to be a traitor, accusing her of colluding with the enemy. Helmed by Shivam Nair, the film also stars Sadia Khateeb, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, and Revathy.
