Entertainment

John Abraham Shares That Steven Spielberg Praised His Performance in ‘Water’

Published

1 year ago

March 14, 2025

John Abraham has carved out a special place for himself in the realm of high-octane action films. With his charming moves, sculpted physique, and dynamic energy, he stands out as one of the country’s premier action stars. However, there’s another side to his career that often goes unnoticed: his critically acclaimed role in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water.’ Departing from his typical genre, Abraham delivered a remarkable performance in this thought-provoking social drama, earning praise from notable figures like Steven Spielberg and Charlize Theron.

In 2005, John Abraham featured in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water,’ which is part of her Elemental trilogy alongside ‘Fire’ and ‘Earth.’ While ‘Fire’ draws inspiration from Ismat Chugtai’s ‘Lihaaf,’ and ‘Earth’ is based on Bapsi Sidhwa’s ‘Cracking India,’ ‘Water’ delves into the difficult lives of rural Indian widows during the 1940s. The film addresses controversial themes such as child marriage, misogyny, and social ostracism, which were hot-button issues at the time of its release. Although it hasn’t gained widespread recognition in the Indian subcontinent, the film has been highly praised by critics and has garnered admiration from international audiences.

In a recent interview on BookMyShow’s YouTube channel, John Abraham discussed the film’s limited visibility in India compared to its global acclaim. He also shared his experiences with Spielberg and Theron regarding his performance. During his time at the Academy Awards that year, he had the chance to meet several Hollywood luminaries. He fondly recalled how Spielberg commended the emotional nuances of his role, while Theron expressed her appreciation as well. He remarked, “When I attended the awards, I had the privilege of meeting Steven Spielberg, who praised my performance in Water, while no one at home even acknowledged it.” He added, “I distinctly remember Charlize Theron telling me, ‘I loved what you were processing,’ yet there was no conversation about it here.”

The film debuted at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival during its Opening Night Gala. Initially, it was set to feature Shabana Azmi, Akshay Kumar, and Nandita Das, but the project faced protests and was ultimately shelved for several years. It was later revived as an Indo-Canadian production with a fresh cast, including John Abraham, Lisa Ray, and Seema Biswas, who brought the story to life.

—

Entertainment

Bigg Boss 20 Promo Sparks Rumours About Isha Rikhi

Published

1 hour ago

September 6, 2026

Namma Kudla

Mumbai: A new Bigg Boss 20 promo has sparked rumours about actress Isha Rikhi and her personal life.

The promo features a woman whose face is hidden. She can be heard speaking emotionally about love and broken trust. Soon after the promo went viral, many viewers speculated that the woman could be Isha Rikhi.

Isha has now reacted to the rumours on social media. She urged the media and the public not to believe unverified reports about her marriage or divorce.

She said that she would share any official information through her social media accounts. She also expressed shock over some reports being published about her personal life.

Isha and Punjabi singer and rapper Badshah had reportedly married in March 2026 in a private ceremony. On September 1, the couple announced their separation through a joint statement on Instagram.

Badshah said that they had decided to part ways with mutual respect and asked everyone to respect their privacy.

However, Isha’s latest statement following the Bigg Boss 20 promo has created fresh confusion among fans. Neither Isha nor the Bigg Boss team has officially confirmed her participation in the show.

Entertainment

13 Years Later, Director Pawan Kumar Hints at ‘Lucia 2’

Published

7 hours ago

September 6, 2026

Namma Kudla

Film: Kannada film Lucia completed 13 years on September 6. The film, starring Sathish Ninasam and Shruti Hariharan, created a new wave in Kannada cinema.

Directed by Pawan Kumar, Lucia was made on a limited budget through crowdfunding. The film received a strong response from the audience. Its music also remains popular even today.

Over the years, fans have repeatedly asked for a sequel. However, Pawan Kumar had earlier not taken the idea of Lucia 2 seriously.

Now, on the film’s 13th anniversary, the director has hinted that he is thinking about making a sequel. In a social media post, Pawan Kumar questioned why a sequel to Lucia should not be made.

Pawan Kumar has stayed away from filmmaking for some time. His last directorial venture was the Malayalam film Dhoomam.

The latest hint has once again raised excitement among Lucia fans. However, there is no official confirmation about the film’s cast, story or release date yet.