John Abraham “I go by my instincts”

Since his debut with JISM (2003) in Bollywood, John Abraham never looked back. He was a successful model who made his mark in acting. A producer’s darling actor later produced several content-rich movies like Vicky-Donor, Madras Cafe et al. His films are critically acclaimed and commercially successful too. Now, his new movie Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran , where he is the producer-actor, has minted lots of mullah at Box office and is declared a hit. Our Cine Buster correspondent had a comprehensive conversation with the actor about his film, life and future project.

Parmanu… has minted more than Rs 50 crore at the box office. Did you expect a success like this? What made you take a risk in producing a film like Parmanu?
At the very outset, when director Abhishek Sharma narrated the idea to me, I was very excited. We researched thoroughly and exhaustively for over two years before we decided to go on the floors with our film. Sanyukta Chawla (Script-writer of Neerja) who is the Creative Head of my company, wrote the script. Obviously, whoever makes a film, expects a super-success. And I am no exception.

Is your film based on the real incidents?
Almost 85% of the story is based on true incidents. We just changed the names of people. It is a story based on the nuclear bomb test conducted by the Indian Army at Pokhran in 1998.

How tough was the making of the film?
We thought the making of the film would be tough. Actually, we had to shoot in excruciating circumstances, bearing sweltering heat of Jaisalmer which was around 55 degree. But honestly speaking, I felt that it was the easiest experience – thanks to the preparations of the director.

At a time when others think of making commercial main stream films, what drives you to make films like Madras Café and Parmanu?
Call it my guts, I go by my instincts. Basically I like making non- formula films because it makes my journey as a film maker more interesting and exciting. I like merging content with commerce. I wanted to make an engrossing film.

How would you evaluate your journey as an actor from Paap till Parmanu?
I think I have matured hell of a lot as an actor. I have understood the nuances of acting and have realised that the subtleties of my acting too have become stronger of late. I have also understood the business very well.

How will you define yourself as an actor?
I am not at all insecure either as a person or for that matter, as an actor. I do not consider a project of mine as a vanity project. When I set out to cast actors for my film, I try to reach out to people who I think will suit the roles. Like when I produced Vicky Donor, I did not feel that I could have suited the role. Hence, Shoojit Sarkar and I cast Ayushmaan Khurana, because he was the perfect choice and suited as a typical Delhi boy and without creating any disappointment, he did a wonderful good job in the film. I’d say that I am actually a combination of method and intuitive acting. I now believe that there is an organic flow as far as my performance in films is concerned. I am glad that the subtlety in my performance is being praised today. Though I do confess that I still have a long way to go as an actor, at the same time, I’d say that it is the right time and the right place as far as I am concerned today.

Go on!
It takes a lot of guts and security to be able to cast other actors in the lead in a film that you set out to produce. If a film that I produce requires an actor like Tiger Shroff or Rajkummar Rao, I will not think twice before reaching out to them.

When do you think people started taking you seriously as an actor?
I think people started taking me seriously only after I produced Vicky Donor. Madras Café only validated it. And now, with Parmanu, I have taken it a step further and want to be known as a thinking producer who tells a story properly.

Tell me frankly, did you get your inspiration from an actor-producer like Akshay Kumar who also produces films like Rustom, Padman and Airlift?
No, not at all. Besides, I do not think that I do similar kind of projects as Akshay Kumar. I believe my life is strategised. I think of my life as a chess board. I can think of 300 different permutations and combinations.

Is it true that you did not at all plan to become an actor when you started modeling?
Yes. It is 100 per cent true. I would call myself an accidental actor since I had no intention to come to this field when I set out to do modeling.

What was the best compliment that you have received?
Ayesha Sharma once told me that she was very glad to shoot with a man who looks like a man.

Do you get rattled when critics call you a non actor?
I recall, Dustin Hoffman told Robert Redford once that because his physicality was overpowering, he will wear an Albatross over his neck. Critics generally talk about my biceps. That’s fine as far as I am concerned but now they will also talk about Parmanu.

Which are your ten best films as an actor?
Jism, Dhoom, Garam Masala, Vicky Donor (though I did not act in it but only produced it), New York, Madras Café, Taxi No 2011, Kabul Express, Water and last but not the least Parmanu.

Which are the filmmakers who are on your wish list?
I like Shoojit Sarkar, Aanand L. Rai, Rajkumar Hirani, Subhash Kapoor, Sanjay Gupta and of course Bhattsaab, who is actually responsible for me being what I am today. I’d give my right hand to act in a film he chooses to direct though he has quit direction. Pooja Bhatt who produced Jism but directed Paap is also fantastic. She calls a spade a spade and acts as a man in a man’s world. I wish I could work with all of them.

To what extent you have been inspired by your parents?
My dad Abraham John is a Malayali, while my mother is a Jew. My dad is my hero, my idol. The best about him is that he is a nice guy not only to me but everyone in the world. Though not a Malayali, my mum makes the best Aviyal( a dish made out of vegetables in Kerala) in the world.

Tell me something about your younger brother Allen Abraham?
My brother Allen is an architect. Allen was offered a lead role in a film but he ran away from the sets when the producer offered to cast him if he was keen on acting in the film, though he loves photography.

Which is your favourite destination in India?
Frankly speaking, I am obsessed with India. Aluwa in Kerala, which is my dad’s home town is my favourite destination as far as India is concerned. Besides Aluwa in Kerala, my other favourite destinations are Arunachal Pradesh and also the entire North East , especially since I own a football team from the North East.

Which foreign destinations do you dig?
One place I’d like to go to is Japan, because I like the architecture, machine and food of Japan though I have never been there. I like to go to Yamaha on a motor bike.

We hear that you are very crazy about motor-bikes!
Yes. I am crazy about driving motor bikes. I like wearing helmets. I possess 4 different helmets. I have had 78 different motor bikes till now in various stages of my life.

How homely are you at home?
At home, I am comfortable wearing boxer shorts, though my dad prefers to wear lungis. I also have three pairs of chappals and love wearing them everywhere. If today you see me in a pair of shoes, it is only because I have been giving interviews today right from the afternoon.

Do you exercise dietary control as far as intake of food is concerned?
I am very consistent with my lifestyle habits. My day to day diet is so boring that you will wonder whether my taste buds are left. During the summer season, I prefer consuming cool stuff. If someone offers me a kulfi, I am particular about asking him to make it with sugar free skimmed milk. I staunchly avoid fried stuff. The last time I had ever had eaten biryani was about ten years ago. The last time, I consumed kajukhatri was almost 23 years ago. I survive on power crunch protein energy bars.

Does that mean that you have never consumed drugs or smoked cigarettes or had alcohol in your life?
I do not at all smoke or drink. What’s more, I do not even like the smell of alcohol, though I may take a sip or two of champagne to usher in the new year.

Is there any actor whom you envy?
I envy Daniel D. Lewis who has had the guts to retire from acting. I am lucky that I have been able to carve a niche for myself. I enjoy my space now especially because I am not in the rat race now.

Let me know your future endevours.
On the anvil, are films like Milap Jhaveri’s film Satyameva Jayate produced by Nikhil Advani, in which Manoj Bajpayee is my co-actor as well as Robby Grewal’s film Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW) in which I play three different roles with as many as eight disguises in it. In fact, I have no qualms to admit that I am very nervous as an actor to face Robby in the film. Besides Satyameva Jayate and RAW. I am also excited about yet another film which is Batla House.

You emerged a winner in your fight with producer Prerna Arora. Comment!
I choose not to speak about Prera Arora or my tiff with her since the High Court has validated what I have been saying all these days. I can only say that I have cleaned up the mess for lot of people. It was all because I had the guts to stand up for what is right, credible and honest.