Why Rocky Handsome won't release anytime soon

John Abraham, who made a comeback to the big screen after two years with Welcome Back recently, is in no hurry for his next film, Nishikant Kamat-directed Rocky Handsome, to release. 

While Welcome Back opened in the first week of September, Rocky Handsome was initially scheduled to release in the first week of October.

But the latter will now release on February 5, 2016.

Explaining the change in release date, John said, “Like Welcome Back, Rocky Handsome too has Shruti Haasan and me in the lead. It would’ve been a bit of an overdose, especially since I had not been seen in any film for two years.”

The actor-producer is very confident about Rocky Handsome's prospects.

“It doesn’t matter when it is released. It is a very powerful story with some terrific action.

“It also has a solid emotional connect. People have liked the bond between the hero and the little girl in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Rocky Handsome has this powerful bond between me and a little girl that will move the audiences to tears. Nishikant Kamat and I are very confident about the film, no matter when it releases.”

The film was initially titled Johnny Handsome, a tribute to its leading man’s matinee idol looks.

“We wanted that title but it also happens to be the title of a well known Hollywood gangster film starring Mickey Rourke. I am happy with Rocky Handsome though. Rocky Balboa is one of my favourite heroes,” John explained.