Sonil Dedhia in Mumbai
John Abraham has as many as six movies coming up, each of them looking interesting and promising.
The hunky actor, who can lift up a motor bike easily, spoke about the first of these releases -- Force -- in some detail.
A heavy-duty action film, Force is directed by Nishikanth Kamanth, and co-stars Genelia D'Souza. He also opened up to Sonil Dedhia about his break-up with Bipasha Basu and more.
You mentioned in an interview that you are living the life of a cyborg. Are you?
No, yaar (laughs). My director Nishikanth Kamath asked me to get a body which is unparalleled in our industry. When I started shooting for the movie a year back, Nishikanth gave me eight months to build my body. He told me he wants a body like Sylvester Stallone meets Arnold Schwarzenegger, which was difficult and hence he gave me eight months. I think I reached achieved about 70 per cent.
Actually, in real life, I do live the life of a cyborg -- I am on autopilot all the time (smiles).
'I get nervous when I count the number of films I'm doing'
Is it an interesting phase in your career as you have six films lined up (Force, Desi Boyz, Housefull 2, Shootout at Wadala, Race-2 and I, Me Aur Main)?
There was no conscious attempt to do so many films. Prior to Force I was doing one film a year. In 2008, I did Dostana, which worked, and in 2009 I did New York, which worked too, but in 2010 I did Jootha Hi Sahi which flopped.
When your last film fails, there is a lot of pressure on any actor.
Currently, I am very secure in my space. It is a very exciting phase in my career as I am enjoying my work as I never did before. Sometimes, when I count the number of films that I am doing, I get nervous, but at the end of the day, I feel content.
Is it difficult to juggle between so many films?
Honestly speaking, I am better off doing one film a year, but my audience and people around me tell me that I am doing good films.
On the other hand, I believe in these films. I like to experiment with my films. If you see, all the films in which I am a solo hero have all been experimental. No Smoking, Kabul Express, Aashayien. Force, too, is an experiment because this is the first time I am doing a commercial film.
'Force is a romantic-action film'
Force is a remake of the Tamil film, Kaakha Kaakha. Have you seen the original version?
Yes, I have seen it. I fell in love with the movie when I saw it and I am happy I got to do a movie like this. Suriya (who acted in the original) has done a fantastic job. He is a very good friend and he was very happy when he found out that I was going to portray the character that he played in the original version. I spoke to Suriya just last week and he is very excited to watch Force.
What excited you about the script?
The action is great but the romantic element is the surprise element in the film. The other thing was the character that I play. ACP Yashwardhan is a no nonsense narcotics officer who doesn't believe in love till he meets this girl called Maya (Genelia D'Souza), and his life changes after that.
The film has a lot of action backed by very strong emotions. I would say it is a beautiful romantic-action film. I don't want to remove the tag of a romantic hero and I think it is always going to be with me.
'I put on 10-12 kilos of pure muscle for the film'
It was very draining. We were shooting in real locations and mostly at night and in the rains. As I said earlier, my director wanted me to build a body which has never been seen in Hindi cinema.
The worst part is that it is difficult for me to gain weight as I have a tendency to lose weight. I have lost around 10 to 12 kilos in three-four months. It took me about nine months to put on 10-12 kilos of pure muscle by just a high protein intake.
There are a lot of action sequences in the film where I had to run and perform a lot of stunts. I weighed 96 kilograms with just seven per cent fat. It was tough carrying my body weight around.
How different is Force from other action films?
Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn have been doing action but when you see Force you will know what action I am talking about. It is real action, simply amazing. Force has real and raw action. The last time you would have seen this real action was when Sunny Deol did Ghayal, or Arjun Pandit, Dacait.
Why would you give an example of a film like Ghayal?
I think the masses like hard-hitting action and the real action that Sunny Deol did. The dhai kilo ka haath. My director wanted his hero to have this very raw look which I think to a large extent I have been able to achieve. When you see the film you will realise that the action is all real and raw.
'Salman, Ajay Devgn are brilliant action heroes'
We have seen a lot of action films recently -- Dabangg, Bodyguard, Singham -- which were all blockbusters. Are you scared that Force might not live up to expectations?
First of all, full credit to Salman Khan for having four super-hit movies, and I am very happy for him. I am so happy for Ajay Devgn with the kind of performance he gave in Singham. I think Ajay truly deserves it. His performance in Aakrosh was superlative too. They are brilliant action heroes. I just hope Force does good business. Suriya became a superstar after Kakka Kakka and he told me I would be a star after Force (smiles). I just hope his words come true!
Aren't you already a star?
I want to be known as an action hero, something like Action Abraham. I want to be strong in the action space and want to establish myself in it.
Is there a particular reason you want to be known as Action Abraham?
I always wanted to do an action film. After Dhoom, I've not attempted any action films. I think I have matured as a human being and I am ready to do films in the action genre. After watching Kakka Kakka, I felt that it would be a great comeback into action as well.
'I have never felt I looked exceptional'
Are you obsessed with your looks?
No, I am not obsessed with my looks. I am a guy who probably looks into the mirror once after having a shower in the morning. I think that's the biggest plus point that I have.
You think you look good?
At the end of the day I am a regular guy and I am not saying this to sound humble. I have never felt I looked exceptional. When I get a compliment, I am really happy and I respect it.
How do you react when a woman compliments you?
I think it's a sweet gesture when women compliment you. But let me tell you, if you have good looks, even when you reach 40 and look like Brad Pitt with grey hair, or when you reach 50 and look like George Clooney, you still look good for all those women. The attractive qualities that women like in you are never going to change.
Are you scared of growing old and losing your looks?
No. I was recently judged India's sexiest bachelor, but I also hope to get married and grow old gracefully. I always want to look cooler.
'I want to be known as something like Action Abraham'
Since you mention that you would like to get married, how would you define marriage?
I think marriage for me is all about loyalty. My advice is that once you are married, you need to be loyal to your partner, or else don't get married. I still believe in the institution of marriage.
You recently said in an interview that you weren't ready to commit at a time when the relationship needed culmination. Could you tell us why?
I think what I said was true, but I don't want to dwell on it. I would like to move on. I respect what I had, and currently I just want to live by the day and not know what is going to happen tomorrow. People ask me when am I going to get married but I don't have an answer to that.
Was it difficult to come to terms with the end of a relationship?
No, it was not. I think there is a time and space for everything to happen. Sometimes things turn out to be difficult and you need to move on. I respect the sanctity of my relationship. The chapter has been completely closed in my life.
'I'm not dating any actress'
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
How different are things for you now?
Nothing has changed. I shoot for my films, go to the gym and ride my bikes. The only thing that has changed is that I get to spend more time with my parents.
You have been linked with many of your co-stars. How do you take it?
I feel bad for all my co-stars. As men we get away with all this but it's not fair to women. There is no truth in it. I don't know, but I am not ever going to see (pauses) not ever going to (thinks)... I am not dating any actress (smiles).
Are you still in touch with Bipasha Basu?
No, I am not in touch with Bipasha.
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