John Abraham on working with Pakistani artistes: India comes first
"You should look out for what your country needs at this point of time, and you should be sensitive to that rather than making an effort to capture an audience in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or anywhere in the world. They understand what an artiste is going through. They understand why you need to be sensitive. I don't need to be sensitive because I'm not worried about repercussions. Don't be worried about repercussions," he added.Talking about his national interests, he said, "You have to be confident about yourself, but that confidence has to come with a sense of conviction as to what you stand for. I stand for my country. That is very important. So my country will come before anything, and that is a non-negotiable thing in my life. India first, after that, everything else," he explained.John Abraham will be seen next in 'Tehran'. The film will stream on Zee5 from August 14.- EndsTrending Reel
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Exclusive: John Abraham learnt Farsi and Hebrew for Tehran, shares emotional link
John Abraham is known for his intense performances and commitment to his roles. But his upcoming film 'Tehran' holds a special place in his heart for reasons that go far beyond the film. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor opened up about the emotional and cultural depth he brought to this international espionage thriller, starting with a personal connection rooted in his own heritage and his connection with Iran and the Farsi language, John said, 'This is emotionally the first thing that I've done for Tehran. My mother is Iranian, and the script was very close to my heart. My mother, of course, speaks Farsi. That's the national language of Iran. I could barely understand a few words here and there, because when you're growing up, your mother speaks to you a little in Farsi, a bit of Dari just mixes up words and stuff like that.'Driven by his desire to portray his character with cultural authenticity, John decided to learn Farsi from scratch. He explained further, 'I wanted to learn Farsi. So I learned Farsi for six months for 'Tehran'. I wanted to get the dialect right. I didn't want to go wrong on anything.' But the challenge didn't stop there. The film demanded more. Abraham added, 'It's got a lot of Farsi in it. It's got a lot of Hebrew in it. So I learned Hebrew as well. But you don't learn it just to prove a point. It has to flow into the script, and it has to come very easily on your tongue.'Luckily, he said, his roots gave him a natural advantage, saying, 'Because my mother's an Irani, it was easier for me on my tongue. So I'd probably get that benefit that I kind of rolled over onto the film. But it was a beautiful process.'Watch the trailer here: John describes 'Tehran' as a one-hour-49-minute cinematic experience that's unlike anything India has produced before. 'I would want to believe it's the first international film out of India,' he actor further recalled how life on set mirrored the hopeful possibility of unity in the time of war. 'When you talk about world problems, we were all eating at the same table,' he says, adding, "There was an Iranian, there was an Israeli, there was a Dutch person, there was a Ukrainian, and there was me. We were all eating at the same table, just like 'Kabul Express'.''Tehran' will begin to stream on ZEE5 from August 14.- EndsTrending Reel
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Patola, but make it steel: Rimzim Dadu just did that and how
Although Rimzim Dadu has been a force in Indian fashion for over 17 years, it was only in 2023 that she brought her signature molten magic to India Couture Week. At India Couture Week 2025, her show is one of the most talked-about at the annual fashion credit goes to her mastery in transforming unconventional materials like steel, silicon, paper, metal wires, and razor-thin cords into wearable couture. Her creations shimmer like metal but move like fabric, making them instantly is achieved through a labour-intensive process of disintegrating a material, stripping it into wires (almost like yarn), working on it to give movement and softness, and finally weaving it back together to create art couture. At the recently concluded Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, Dadu took things a step further. She unveiled a collection that reimagined Gujarat's traditional Patola weave through her signature metallic textile techniques. Patola saree, reimagined using steel textile, by designer Rimzim Dadu. Models walked the ramp in saris and bandhgalas featuring bold, geometric Patola motifs. Rimzim Dadu used her signature cording technique to craft edgy sarees with structured pallus that echoed the intricacy of the traditional weave. Male models rocked kurta sets layered with jackets - her contemporary interpretation of Patola. From Rimzim Dadu's show at India Couture Week 2025. 'We draw inspiration from amazing textiles like the Patola and Jamdani, but we don't copy them. We reimagine them in our textiles and try to give them a new perspective, which you will see plenty of in this collection,' Dadu told India Today in an interview Oxynn, her new collection, she drew inspiration from Gujarat's Banjara tribes: their mirrored textiles, bold weaves, and oxidised jewellery. Some pieces, like showstopper Khushi Kapoor's silver blouse and skirt, were inspired by the intricate links of traditional payals to echo the raw elegance of Banjara jewellery in a bold, modern form. Khushi Kapoor turned showstopper for Rimzim Dadu. Rimzim Dadu's signature steel saree, which first gained attention when Sonam Kapoor wore it at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, continues to evolve with each collection. This time, she introduced drapes and pallus featuring intricate cutwork paisley patterns. Drapes and pallus at the Rimzim Dadu's show. Another reason why Rimzim Dadu's ICW 2025 show stood out was her not entirely bogging down to the wedding wear dominance. For the sarees and lehengas – that, must we add, are a huge hit among modern brides for cocktails and wedding reception events, the designer showcased non-wedding couture pieces like sculptural harem pants, corsets, mini dresses and blazer sets. Rimzim Dadu presented a bevy of silhouettes. You can't miss this look, featuring sheer black stocking elevated with Dadu's metallic paisley motif! Punk meets Patola, we say! A standout look from the show. The designer's focus on footwear and bags was a scene-stealer, and also an extension of her art-like clothes. The accessories! advertisementThough Rimzim Dadu launched her label in October 2007, initially under the name My Village (later shortened to Rimzim Dadu), she has consistently made uniqueness and textile innovation the core of her brand from the start. Year after year, she continues to evolve her design language without ever losing its essence.- Ends
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mahua Moitra recalls the time she sent a 'love note' to Mirzapur's 'Kaleen Bhaiya'; here's what happened next
Politicians aren't immune to celebrity crushes—and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra just offered proof. In a refreshingly candid interview, Moitra admitted she has long admired actor Pankaj Tripathi , so much so that she once wrote him a note asking him out for coffee. Speaking to India Today, the outspoken parliamentarian shared her fondness for Bollywood and named films like Vicky Donor and the Munnabhai series among her favourites. But it was Tripathi, best known for playing the menacing yet charismatic Kaleen Bhaiya in Amazon Prime Video's hit series Mirzapur , who she called her 'crush'. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program 'I'm a big fan of Pankaj Tripathi,' she said, adding, 'I wrote him a note and asked for coffee.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo As she recounted, the note was passed to Tripathi via a TV anchor who was scheduled to interview him. But the meeting never materialised. 'He never responded,' Moitra said with a laugh, suggesting that perhaps the actor—who lives in Alibaug—is 'not the kind of guy who meets people for coffee.' The MP said her admiration for Tripathi didn't end there. She even turned to fellow Lok Sabha MP and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan for help. 'I asked Ravi Kishan to make me talk to him. Ravi arranged a phone call,' she recalled. But when the call finally happened, she was too starstruck to say much. 'I was so shy that I forgot I'd even written him a note!' Live Events Pankaj Tripathi, known for his nuanced performances in critically acclaimed films like Newton, Stree, Mimi, and Masaan, has become one of India's most respected and versatile actors. His portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya—a ruthless kingpin with a calm demeanour—in Mirzapur earned him cult status and a fan base that clearly includes admirers in the highest political circles. While the coffee never happened, Moitra's fangirl moment has certainly added a charming footnote to the actor's ever-growing legacy—and reminded many that behind the sharp political speeches are people with relatable soft spots.
