Click to play videoCannes (France): Actor John Abraham was in high spirits at Cannes, promoting his new film Goal. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand spoke to the actor about the festival and Bollywood going the international way.
Rajeev Masand: The fact that you are here in Cannes promoting a new film Goal obviously means that the producers think this film has the potential to do business in not just the traditional markets and explore new markets. Having done the film do you think this film could reach out to more than just the traditional audience?
John Abraham: Well, if I had to segregate the audience, I would say that it is a hard core traditional Hindi film. At the same time, it is a film that could very easily cross over into the English audience. It’s got flavours from both sides of the world.
Rajeev Masand: As the title suggests, it is a football film right?
John Abraham: Yes it is. I hope all the footballers watch it. We have worked really hard on it and ex-Chelsea, ex-Arsenal players have actually played in it. We have shot in old Trafford and Manchester United. I think for football fans, it is a great opportunity. Manchester United has never let out its museum or its field or its locker room and we have shot in there.
Rajeev Masand: So you have played where the greats have played?
John Abraham: Yes, literally.
Rajeev Masand: You were at the Oscars earlier this year. Though it was a Canadian film, it was an Indian story with Indian actors. Based on your experience, what is the perception that you see of the West towards Indian talent?
John Abraham: I think that’s a great question because I keep asking myself that. I think we have a good 10 years to go international and get there. If we get one or two big hits, we can get the 10 years down to seven or or six years. So we have that much time to catch up with the world. I think the genre of filmmaking is changing. I am part of the genre that looks at change. Yes, that genre is going through the bleeding period where you may want to release lesser number of prints, like 200 instead of 1000. But that 200 will get to 400 and then so on.
Rajeev Masand: This is the phase where we are experimenting.
John Abraham: Yes. You might here that ‘Why is John doing these kind of films. Why is John doing a Nagesh Kukunoor? But John is also doing a Goal. And I am doing it because I know that the niche audience is going to grow and the traditional Hindi films is always going to stay at 1000 prints.
Rajeev Masand: So you think that those Bollywood films, the Indian and NRI audience has realized its full potential ?
John Abraham: No, I don’t think it has been exhausted as it’s a huge market. I am part of that industry so I can’t underestimate that industry. But it has plateaued. I don’t think you can do more than 1,500 prints. But I want to be part of the new genre and the growth. Let’s try out everything.
Rajeev Masand: You have a foreign agent. There was some interest when Water was released theatrically in North America.
John Abraham: Yes, I was approached by a few agencies but I made it very clear like in Jerry Maguire, it’s ‘Show me the money.’ So though the work is fine I have been saying that India and Asia are my markets and Hindi films is my base. I don’t want to make any false claims that I want to move away from here. I would rather that I do films here and than go international. So I’m not going to leave and go anywhere.
Rajeev Masand: So my next question on whether you would relocate is sort of redundant.
John Abraham: I could stay out of the country for four-six months but I would definitely want to work out of Bombay for six-eight months.
Rajeev Masand: Do you feel that the world is becoming a smaller place? The lines are blurring and the crossover potential is more. It’s like what happened in Spain and Italy. Actresses like Monica Bellucci, Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek crossed over but continued to do films both in their native language and Hollywood. Do you think we are at the brink of something like that?
John Abraham: I said another six-seven years but before that there will be a large demarcation after which the lines will start blurring. Hopefully in five years you will see actors who want to crossover and do movies there as well.
Rajeev Masand: So you think films like Goal, No Smoking and Ashayein ….?
John Abraham: Yes, No Smoking is hardcore ‘festival’. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t win any awards. I have immense faith in it. Goal is amazing because it is Hindi commercial cinema at its best. It’s got songs and sport so I think it is a film for the youth. And for me Goal is another Dhoom because children love bikes and they love football as well. In Goal I have done everything myself so they look at me and they say ‘John has done this, we can do this too.’
Rajeev Masand: So it is inspirational.
John Abraham: Yes, I want to do inspirational films. My next film will be on running. I want to run. Running, not like the sport but running is about reaching where you want to reach.
Rajeev Masand: And they get to see you with the shirt off again. Best of luck, we hope to see exciting films from you. We are hoping of course that you make a mark outside the country. Thank you for talking to us.
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