Click to play videoNew Delhi: Having disproved the myth that models can’t act, John Abraham is fast becoming a youth icon. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand spoke to Bollywood's hottest star about his films, link-ups and more.
Rajeev Masand: Your latest film Water by Deepa Mehta is Canada’s official entry to the Oscars. How does that makes you feel?
John Abraham: Makes me feel good, really. It’s so early in my career that a film of mine has been nominated to the Oscars. It’s no small feat and I think the credit should go to Deepa Mehta for directing it brilliantly.
Rajeev Masand: Fox Searchlight, the studio behind the film is looking forward to huge campaign for the film. Are you going to be participating in the lobbying process?
John Abraham: Fox hasn’t given us any specific instructions as yet but if they do, it’s worth participating really.
Rajeev Masand: Water has not released in India as yet. The film has you playing an Indian guy clad in a dhoti-kurta packed with Gandhian virtues. Were you surprised when Deepa came to you with this role?
John Abraham: Honestly, I wanted a Deepa Mehta film to be there on my curriculum vitae. I wanted to do some serious cinema. Water has been important for me because it was a complete shift-away from what I had been doing, which is why I picked it up.
During the shoots, Deepa had to remind me to stop walking like John Abraham and start walking like Narayan (John’s character in Water). So, if you observe the way I walk in the film, you will realise that I am not walking the way I usually do in any other film.
Rajeev Masand: You are just back from the Toronto International Film Festival where you film Kabul Express was screened recently. What was the experience like?
John Abraham: Like the way I just mentioned to you, it’s quite a big deal for people in Toronto to see an actor two-years in a row. I have been there for two consecutive years now, once for Water and again for Kabul Express. Toronto International Film Festival is perhaps the largest commercial film festival in the world.
In terms of equity Cannes must be the biggest one, but when you talk about a back-room area where money flies across the table, it is the Toronto festival for sure.
It is where Hollywood studios sit down and deal about buying films. And that is really the place where actors get noticed by production houses and directors. It was a great experience for me to be there. Fortunately, the audiences that came and saw Kabul Express were mostly North American, which exactly what the filmmakers wanted to target really.
Rajeev Masand: Kabul Express as a theme has a larger resonance. It’s audiences wouldn’t just be atypical Hindi film audience. It has a larger theme because it deals with terrorism and Afghanistan. What is the kind of reception that the film has got internationally?
John Abraham: Afghanistan is a very hot topic. Our film was screened on 9/11 in Toronto. Initially, the American journalists were not too kind to the fact that this was a humourous film against the serious backdrop of 9/11.
They were a bit sensitive about how could we make a humourous film on Afghanistan. But post-watching it, they were very impressed with the way the director has handled sensitive scenes, given the much-needed respect to the human equations between Pakistanis, Americans, Indians and Afghans.
I think by the end-of it they really enjoyed it. I was sitting with an audience and they were in splits. More so, because of Arshad Warsi, who has been outstanding in this film.
Rajeev Masand: There is a fair amount of interest in you internationally. I am guessing it’s because of Water emerging as one of the biggest Hindi films in North America. Also, it has been said that you have hired an agent in Hollywood. Tell me, what can we expect?
John Abraham: Well, to be very honest I would not claim that I am doing any work there (in Hollywood) because I’m not doing anything such at this point of time. I am very busy and very happy with the work that I’m getting here (in India). I, as an Indian would rather doing an Indian film, which goes global than doing something frivolous in an international film and shout from rooftops about it.
Rajeev Masand: But looking at your background and your anglicized way of speaking, people would like to see in an international project. Isn’t it?
John Abraham: There has been some amount of interest shown to me there. Simply, because they feel I have looks that could probably work in a crossover film. If something does work out, I would take it up. People unfortunately didn’t realise this in the past but being an Indian is really cool right now.
Rajeev Masand: You grew up in a middle-class family. And if I’m not mistaken, your parents are very keen to hold-on to those values. Is it true?
John Abraham: Yes, that’s true. They keep reminding me of those values. I won’t lie to you Rajeev, but my mother called me up this morning and said, "Take all your money and go to hell." She was upset since I haven’t seen her in so many days. I like this bit of squabble between her and me.
I think it’s very important to hold on to your values. Whatever they are, your values are perhaps the most inherent qualities that you have. I think it’s good to take them along wherever you go.
Rajeev Masand: While you were growing up, did you always know that you are going to be famous?
John Abraham: I always wanted to be famous. Honestly, everybody wants to be famous. I have been given an opportunity and I think it’s up to me whether I take it responsibly or just let it go up in smoke. So, I try to be as responsible about it as I can.
Rajeev Masand: When you were doing your MBA and working in an ad agency, did you feel that this is not the place where you would eventually be for the rest of your life?
John Abraham: When I was working in the ad agency Rajeev, I actually thought that this is it. This is where I am going to be working for the rest of my life. Until a model didn’t turn up and my boss said, “John why don’t you take his place?” That changed everything.
Rajeev Masand: What were the movies that you grew up watching? Were you a big movie buff?
John Abraham: I didn’t watch many Hindi movies but I remember dancing to khai ke paan Banaras vala from Don. I still remember Amitabh Bachchan was a rage for everyone and we all enjoyed shaking a leg or two on his songs. My mother was really fond of Sound of Music and such films. So I grew up watching that as well.
Rajeev Masand: So when you joined Bollywood, did you ever feel overwhelmed about the fact that you were getting to work with people that you had idolized since childhood?
John Abraham: I don’t understand the concept of idolizing anybody but if there is somebody that I immensely respect, that is Mr Bachchan. Also Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas are amongst those whom I look up to. It’s been great to have the chance of working with such great actors.
Rajeev Masand: With the kind of money and power that comes your way, it’s very easy in this industry, to loose your head. How do you keep yourself grounded?
John Abraham: I make investments that keep me minus in the bank all the time. That helps me keep a level head! Jokes apart, the fact is I have spent too many years of my life struggling, having limited amounts to spend. Today, by the grace of god when I have a little more, I don’t feel the need to spend it anywhere. I cannot suddenly change my dressing over night.
I can’t suddenly wear something overtly expensive or buy two new cars. My most expensive indulgence is probably a bike. It was difficult at that time for me to think buying it. What is easy for me today used to be a luxury once upon a time.
I started off with nothing in life. And I’ve reached somewhere. If I come back to nothing I will at least feel satisfied that I did reach somewhere.
Rajeev Masand: But what I’m asking is, how does one protect himself from getting carried away? How does one stop from believing that he is a star?
John Abraham: Honestly speaking Rajeev you should never let anybody gauge you. You should let only you gauge yourself. Ask yourself, “are you a star? Are you really a star?” When I ask myself if I really am a star, I look at the amount of commercial success that I have attained.
And then I realise I am not a star as yet. I might have achieved some amount of success but I still have a long way to go. When you ask yourself some brutally honest questions you realise that all the answers are in the negative. Then I say, “Relax John. You haven’t achieved everything as yet. Let’s take it one at a time.”
Rajeev Masand: Is it difficult to resist the temptations that you live with in this industry. There is money, there is power, and there are women. Is it difficult to not succumb?
John Abraham: It is very easy to succumb. But that depends on the kind of person that you are. I am a very precautious and an overtly cautious person for that matter. I am very scared, one wrong step and I know there is no one behind me to hold me if I fall.
I have taken up the trouble of coming here, all alone. One wrong step that I take; there will be ten people there to say, "he was a damn squib. Just a flash on the pan."
To save myself from that I take each step very cautiously. And you will see that in the kind of movies that I’m doing. I’m not doing those huge commercial blockbusters. I’m doing movies with sensible filmmakers like SriRam Raghavan, Anurag Kashyap, Imtiyaz Ali balancing out the career for my self.
Rajeev Masand: How important a role does your parents play in choosing your work? Are they interested in your work at all?
John Abraham: I think one of the single largest contributor to my ticket-sales is my mom. She goes in four groups to watch my movies. She works with ‘Make a wish’ Foundation and takes her colleagues from there.
Then with the ‘Home for the aged’ group that she works for. She also goes with her animal welfare group and lastly with the relatives to watch my films. Thank you mom for that.
However, my father contributes by being the levelheaded person that he is. He says ‘good’ or ‘not-so-good’ in clear terms.
Rajeev Masand: A very tough critic of yours I believe is your father.
John Abraham: My father is very critical of the work that I do. In fact he tells me straight ‘John, what have you done?’ My father travels by bus everyday and mother travels by train. And it’s no big deal for them. They have always been traveling like this. And they don’t want to change.
Even if I try pulling them to a certain lifestyle they want to go back. So I have decided not to force them and let them be happy the way they are. If they need anything, they can always ask me.
Rajeev Masand: John, would you agree with me if I say ‘with success comes its flip side’. I think you faced a fair bit of it this year, whether it was in the form of criticism, rumours or the link-ups.
You had an accident earlier this year and people were insinuating about how irresponsible you have been. Then there were stories of a few alleged link-ups. More recently there was this story about you and Bipasha breaking up. How do you deal with things like that?
John Abraham: I have always maintained that the media has been very responsible. I will go on record to say that I don’t have a publicist, I don’t need a publicist, and I don’t plan to have a publicist. The media has been overtly responsible as far as I’m concerned.
But when I had this accident, certain sections of the media hit me below the belt and insinuated that I had been irresponsible all this while. But I think that all in all, it’s fair for them to say so. I do not take all that seriously.
Rajeev Masand: But it’s not just the media that has been saying these things. It’s also the people in the industry working with you saying such things. Perhaps these are the people who obviously are affected by your success.
John Abraham: I choose to be politically correct Rajeev and I say this on record. It’s better not to speak about, look at or feel how you are progressing. Just do your work quietly and that’s what I do.
I have been linked from my first movie with my first heroine. And I’m still seeing her, that’s Bipasha Basu. But I have been linked with all the other heroines from my other movies as well. So, don’t be surprised if you read in a newspaper about another link up.
Rajeev Masand: You and Bipasha are among those very few couple who have been very upfront and honest about your relationship. So, when there are rumours of a break-up, who takes it worse? Do you think because you have been upfront about it, perhaps it hurts all the more?
John Abraham: I think we are past that stage when such things would affect our relationship. Whenever there is an article in the paper, I read it and I tell Bipasha, “look what’s written about me” and she would say “I just read it in the morning.”
She probably would have got affected earlier, but now I guess she is used to it. How many people can you really link me up with? I mean, give me a break. My testosterone levels are not so high! It’s part and parcel of the game and Bipasha is too mature as a person to understand all this. She is beyond all this.
Rajeev Masand: So which was that one link-up that perhaps you and Bipasha were most surprised with? They linked you with Isha Deol, Vidya Balan and most recently with Mallika Sherawat. Which one of these surprised you the most?
John Abraham: I think, the one with Mallika Sherawat. I don’t know Rajeev, how and where it comes from. I don’t know from where do these stories get cooked up? I simply don’t understand.
Rajeev Masand: So, it does not affect the relationship that you are in.
John Abraham: Not at all. It would have probably affected us had we been at the start of our relationship. But we have reached a point where we are stable. We understand the fact that both of us need to work and do our own stuff.
Both of us were new in the industry and I was even more new than her. I did not know the ways of this industry. I used to get worried about certain things written about but that is past now.
Rajeev Masand: Finally John, you are the icon for today’s generation and the fact that they see you as an idol, do you feel you have to live your life differently and more responsibly? Just because you are influencing so many people.
John Abraham: Yes, you need to understand that there is certain way you must behave outside when facing an audience. There is a certain level of decorum that you need to maintain in public.
Even if you are the worst behaved man at home, it’s important you behave differently in public. There is a certain way that you speak to the people. There are a lot of youngsters who are looking at you.
My unique selling preposition is my ‘audience connect’. If I sit in a public place and abuse somebody what are they going to think of me? I would no longer stand as a role model for them.
Rajeev Masand: Well, all the best to you and may you always remain everybody’s role model. Thank you so much for talking to us.
John Abraham:Thankyou Rajeev.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
