Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham's Pathaan explores the dynamics of India's relationship with the neighbouring country, Pakistan, while being a thrilling action spectacle. The actress plays the role of a Pakistani spy who teams up with India's Pathaan to defeat the antagonist. In an exclusive interview with PeepingMoon.com, Pathaan's dialogue writer Abbas Tyrewala spoke about the portrayal of Pakistan in the film and making Deepika's character humane.
"Pathaan is committed to seeing humanity in every character. When it comes to India’s dynamics with Pakistan, at no point is the film pretending that they are friends. We haven't shown ISI not being behind a number of terror attacks, not being probably the most damaging outside institution that has constantly tried to harm and hurt India. All these are acknowledged. The Pakistani army has no love lost for India, this was also acknowledged. Pakistani army having a problem with India and its establishment is one thing, but they would not go so far as General Qadir went in the film. Our enemies also know where conflict is and when it gets to madness. We believe our enemies aren’t in a state of madness," Abbas told.
The writer-director further added, "Deepika (Padukone) says in the film that General Qadir doesn't belong to the category of 'my people' and if my people find out what he has done, they’ll hang him. There is conflict and we have seen Pakistan going way too far in terms of conflict yet the film and I would like to believe that nobody in ISI is sitting and thinking of killing an entire Indian city. We would like to believe it is not true."
Deepika's character in the film is named Rubai or Dr. Rubina Mohsin.
