John Abraham defends ‘The Diplomat’ after ban in the Middle East: ‘Not an anti-Pakistan film’ | Hindi Movie News

John Abraham’s latest film, ‘The Diplomat,’ has landed in controversy after being banned in multiple Middle Eastern countries. Despite no official explanation, reports confirm that the film will not be screened in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.
Ban in Gulf countries stuns John Abraham
The ban in the Middle East has clearly left John shocked. Reacting to the news, he told the Hindustan Times, “People are very myopic in their vision. This is not an anti-Pakistan film; if anything, we showed that the judiciary system in Pakistan is honest. We showed an honest Pakistani lawyer and an honest Pakistani judge. Even the patrolling cars that are taking us to the border had honest policemen. They are actually fighting against the other guys. So, we’ve in no way demeaned anybody.”A surprise success despite a slow start
‘The Diplomat’ had a quiet release on 14 March 2025. There wasn’t much buzz or hype around it. Yet, the film has seen steady growth and is now gaining traction, with more cinema shows being added. Speaking about the film’s performance, in the same interview John said, “No one knew when The Diplomat was released. There was absolutely no confidence around the film from the partners involved in the film. So, for it to shine out, I want to thank my critics and my audience for finding this film and for keeping it alive. I always say this: that the audience always finds the good films.”

Directed by Shivam Nair, ‘The Diplomat’ is inspired by the real-life mission of Indian diplomat J.P. Singh, who helped rescue Uzma Ahmed—an Indian woman forced into marriage in Pakistan. The film explores diplomatic challenges and tense international rescue efforts. John Abraham plays the lead, with Sadia Khateeb and Sharib Hashmi in key roles, bringing this gripping and emotional story of courage and diplomacy to the big screen.