John Abraham backs theatre release for documentary Oslo A Tail of Promise: 'Cinema halls are not just for spectacle'

John Abraham

Are big screens only meant for tentpole films? That's the notion increasingly gaining weight in the film industry, as mid-size movies struggle to draw footfall. Producer and actor John Abraham, however, does not buy the theory. The actor, who has produced Oslo: A Tail of Promise, is preparing the documentary for a theatrical release. Directed by Isha Pungaliya, the 93-minute offering will have a curated release in cinemas from February 28.

For Abraham, the choice to bring the non-fiction feature to theatres is deliberate. He is guided by the singular belief that good stories deserve a big platform. He shared, "As a producer, I've never believed that the big screen should be reserved only for big films. Cinema halls are not just for spectacle; they are for an immersive experience. When I watched Oslo, I felt it needed to be released theatrically. In the theatre, you surrender to the material."

A still from ‘Oslo: A Tail of Promise'

Oslo: A Tail of Promise traces how Oslo, a Siberian Husky, came into the life of Pooja R Bhale - Protecterra Ecological Foundation's founder - as a puppy and supported her when her indie dog fell ill. For Abraham, who has thrown his weight behind diverse movies, backing them is less about risk and more about responsibility. He reasoned, "If producers like us don't create space for stories that are unconventional, then who will? The ecosystem only grows when you allow different voices to co-exist."

100
Number of screens in which ‘Oslo: A Tail of Promise' is set to release

John Abraham has produced diverse films, including:

. ‘Vicky Donor' (2012)
. ‘Madras Café' (2013)
. ‘Parmanu' (2018)
. ‘Savita Damodar Paranjpe' (Marathi film, 2018)
. ‘Mike' (Malayalam film, 2022)