Actor John Abraham says he wanted to amp up the Indian action genre with his latest film Attack and break the mould of playing safe with a “routine” project. Abraham features in Attack as a “super-soldier”, who can operate “beyond normal human limits”.
For the actor, who has also backed the project through his banner JA Entertainment, it was important that the film was mounted on a "promising premise" and be a "visual extravaganza". Which is why, Abraham said, “Attack has the feel of popular games like "PubG" and "Mortal Kombat".
"I wanted to make an action film, but the kind which is diametrically opposite to the regular fare that we make. As a producer, I wanted to risk a lot in the kind of content that I was making. I wanted to reinvent action and didn't want to play safe. If you do your regular fare and fail, you probably deserve it. But if you're making something different and risk the probability of failure, you at least tried something different. Ours is a fun, PubG meets 'Mortal Kombat' kind of film," Abraham told PTI.
Directed by Lakshya Raj Anand, the film is set in a future world where wars will be fought on technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Attack, the 49-year-old actor said, is an "action film for the world of tomorrow". "It is an attempt in that direction. If you look at modern warfare, it isn't conventional. A film that showcases how technology will help eliminate any kind of human collateral damage. When the west makes it, we think it's cool. Why can't India make a film like that? We have made a film which is unique to India," he added.
Abraham said he drew the inspiration to make a film about a super soldier from the 2001 parliament attacks. On December 13, 2001, five terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attacked the Parliament complex and opened fire, killing nine people, which included five Delhi Police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener. A journalist who was injured died later. For the actor, the scripting of the film went in motion with a one-line idea: What if our soldiers didn't die?
"You send in someone who has nothing to lose, someone who's probably half dead. That's where we created this guy from. We married a true incident with a fictional idea to finally get 'Attack,'" he added.
Also produced by Jayantilal Gada's Pen Studios and Ajay Kapoor Productions, the film is gearing to release theatrically on April 1.
Abraham and the team shot the film throughout the pandemic in Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities, pausing and resuming whenever there was a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The film, according to the actor, also crossed its allotted budget but it didn't stop Abraham from making Attack the way he had envisioned it.
"In this film, we have gone over budget. I've spent crores out of my own pocket by choice because it is a special film and I wanted it to be mounted on that scale. The idea was to make an edge-of-the-seat sci-fi thriller, but in the end, when we saw the film, we felt we have made India's first real superhero who doesn't wear his underwear outside his pants," he added.
The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh in lead roles.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.