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John Abraham: “I think you must take a stand, but only if you are politically aware”

At the recent trailer launch of his upcoming film ‘Romeo Akbar Walter’ (RAW), John Abraham was asked his stance on actors commenting on political matters.

The question follows after Kangna Ranaut, who was attending the Zee Studio’s ‘Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi’ (2018) success party, criticised Ranbir Kapoor for being “politically challenged”, after he refused to engage in matters. His response to why he didn’t want to was, he has “Sufficient water and electricity in his house to get involved in political issues.” In return Ranaut called him an “irresponsible citizen”.

As reported on DNA India, Abraham feels unless one has an understanding of the current situation, they should refrain from making comment merely for attention. “If they’re (actors are) politically aware. I think Kangana definitely is. She’s got a voice. I think you must take a stand, but only if you are politically aware. You shouldn’t be, like I say, ‘stupidly talented’. You cannot be an idiot who doesn’t know anything about which country lies where. If you don’t know what’s happening from Bihar to Syria, then you should just shut up and smile and show your mug of work, but don’t talk! Unless you’re aware about what’s happening, then only make a statement. If you’re not aware, don’t.”

With the recent ongoings in India with the Pulwama attack and the capture and release of wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the ‘Parmanu’ (2018) actor felt the entire team and cast of ‘RAW’ is fully aware. “I think everybody here who’s made this film (Romeo Akbar Walter), on this bench here, everybody in my view, are politically aware. We understand what’s happening. Of course, we have even shot the film in Kashmir for a long time. Hence we know what is happening there. We even known the grassroot problems there. We understand what’s really happening there.”

The ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (2018) star also made it very clear that he’s not one for following a trend. “Hence, when you know a situation, you can make a statement. Again, making a statement at the right time is important. Don’t make a statement for effect or to trend. I’m not in the business of trending. I don’t want to trend. It’s good to show a good film, educate your audience and let’s move on with life.”

‘RAW’ directed by Robbie Grewal is slated to release on 5th April 2019. The film is based on the story of an Indian spy who was captured in Pakistan before the 1972 Indo-Pakistan war started.