Vidhatri Bandi praises John Abraham's influence on set
Vidhatri Bandi, an actress in the new political thriller The Diplomat, shared her experience working on the film. She described the set as a learning environment that felt like a masterclass, particularly inspired by co-star John Abraham. The film was released in theaters on March 14 and has received mixed reviews from audiences. The Diplomat, directed by Shivam Nair, is based on true events involving Uzma Ahmad, an Indian woman who was allegedly trapped by a Pakistani man. Vidhatri, known for her roles in Jalsa and Shiddat, talked about the challenges of being an outsider in the film industry. She discussed her excitement to land the role, even after it changed from a South Indian character to a Punjabi girl. To prepare for her role, Vidhatri spent time observing women in Chandigarh, where the film was shot. She decided to stop waxing for two months to stay true to her character's look. She wanted to embody the confidence of the women she observed, which helped shape her performance. Vidhatri praised John Abraham for his discipline on set. She noted that watching his dedication inspired her and changed her view on what it means to be a disciplined actor. She often chose to stay on set instead of going to her vanity van to absorb the experience. Despite her accomplishments, Vidhatri acknowledged the difficulties outsiders face in gaining good roles in the industry. She remains realistic about her career, understanding that proving herself is essential. The actress also mentioned that after filming The Diplomat, she has sought bigger parts and is ready to demand more from her career. In terms of box office performance, The Diplomat earned ₹ 14.80 crore in its first four days but started slowly despite its festive release. The film features a strong cast, including Sharib Hashmi and Kumud Mishra, and explores themes of diplomacy and personal conflict against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations.