In a recent interview with the media, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap spoke highly of John Abraham’s performance in The Diplomat. He expressed his appreciation for John’s acting in the film, highlighting how he truly embodied his character without relying on over-the-top action sequences or the typical “hero-girl” formula often seen in commercial cinema. Anurag specifically mentioned that it had been a while since he had seen John deliver such a strong performance, crediting director Shivam Nair for crafting an engaging and well-made film.
During the conversation, the discussion naturally veered toward their past collaboration on No Smoking, the 2007 psychological thriller that starred John in a complex and unconventional role. Although the film did not perform well at the box office upon its release, it has since garnered a cult following, with cinephiles and critics revisiting its themes and layered storytelling over the years.
Interestingly, John Abraham expressed a strong desire to revisit the world of No Smoking by making a sequel. While Anurag Kashyap acknowledged John’s enthusiasm and did not dismiss the idea outright, he made it clear that he would only consider making No Smoking 2 if he could come up with a truly unique and compelling concept. He explained that films like No Smoking take on a life of their own over time, gradually earning cult status, and for a sequel to be worthwhile, it would need to bring something fresh and original to the table rather than simply being a continuation of the first film.
