John Abraham remains one of the few Bollywood stars who consciously avoids using social media to promote his films or engage with audiences online. In an era where social media has become almost essential for movie marketing, his decision to stay away stands out. Speaking to India Today, John opened up about his views on the platform, especially the dangers of seeking validation from strangers.
“The problem we are having today is we are looking for validation from people we don't know," John explained. He elaborated on how harmful this culture can be, pointing out that many online comments come from people acting on impulse. “You are reading a comment from a person who's probably just sipping his coffee or sitting on the pot or deciding that he or she has had a bad day. So, who do they take it out on? Someone like Sadia (his co-star in The Diplomat), who they may not like at the moment, and they put it out. And she's deciding her whole life based on that.”
John emphasized the importance of knowing whose opinions truly matter. He shared, "I think you need to understand and demarcate who matters to you and who doesn't. And that goes for a director or an actor. I've done it for so many years.”
Reflecting on the toxicity of social media, he didn’t hold back. “People are going to hit you below the belt. And people are going to hurt you where it hurts most because there is a sense of power they have, and they feel they have this power over you. They will wait for you to succumb and come to them and beg them and tell them, ‘Please don't write this about me.’”
John’s approach to staying offline aligns with his off-screen persona — grounded and private. He has long maintained that his work should speak for itself rather than relying on curated online narratives. This mindset also reflects his belief that actors shouldn’t live under the pressure of constant public scrutiny, which often leads to undue anxiety and self-doubt.
His co-star, Sadia Khateeb, who gained recognition from her heartfelt performance in Raksha Bandhan, joins him in The Diplomat, directed by Shivam Nair. The film, slated for a March 14 release, explores an intense, politically charged narrative — a space that John has increasingly gravitated towards in recent years with films like Batla House and Madras Cafe.
While many celebrities continue to leverage social media for fan engagement and film promotion, John Abraham’s stance remains unwavering. He stands as a reminder that sometimes, silence and authenticity speak louder than any online campaign.
