I've never lifted a hand on anybody till date but no one has touched me either-John Abraham
8:10 AM
Posted by Fenil Seta
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 28, 2015)
John Abraham's dedication
for fitness can put a fitness freak to shame. When he says he
doesn't want to be a part of the rat race, you do believe him. After
all, his professional choices and attitude towards life in general,
reflects this thought. In an unhurried chat, the actor tells all about
his forthcoming film Welcome Back and much more.
You continue to be in great shape.
This is me 365 days of the year. I don't do it for a film. It's a way of life. I lead by example and it feels good to be in shape. My lifestyle is like that. I don't lift weights anymore. I am 94 kilos and use my body weight to do everything
You are returning to films after two years. What kept you away?
It has been two years since Madras Café. I am in no hurry. I am a producer too and content creation takes a lot of my time. I also own a football team and it is a full-time job. If you had guests coming over to your house everyday, you probably want to send them away but if they come once in two years, you really want to keep that person. I think I am that guest who's coming back with a film after two years.
How was it stepping into Akshay Kumar's shoes, since he starred in the first film?
I look at Welcome Back as a fresh canvas. I never replaced Akshay. I have learnt a lot from him. When I signed this film, the first person I called was him. He was really happy. He said, “tu yeh picture kar.“ We share a beautiful relationship which goes beyond films. He is like an older brother and we do keep in touch. I recently met him. He is so strikingly handsome, such a beautiful man. I love his positivity.
What is Welcome Back all about?
Welcome Back begins where Welcome ends. Uday bhai (Nana Patekar) and Majnu bhai (Anil Kapoor) are now retired gangsters. I play the big gunda, Ajju bhai, who enters the scene leading to a comedy of errors. The film is neither gross or bloody, nor does it have any double-meaning jokes and skin show. Anybody can watch it without getting offended. When was the last time you watched a comedy that was this clean?
How would you describe your character Ajju bhai?
You are bound to fall in love with Ajju bhai. He is so shy that he has never kissed a girl in his life and calls kissing, 'lipping'. Every guy in this country can relate to him. He is somewhat like Munnabhai.
How was it working with veterans like Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia?
It was spontaneous. Comedy is like music and all these actors are like ace musicians. I have worked with Anil sir (Race 2 and Shootout At Wadala), Paresh sir (Garam Masala) and one of my finest films (Taxi No 9211) was with Nana sir. So, this film was like a homecoming of sorts. Nana sir would catch my cheeks and say 'Johnu' (smiles) and this is a man known for his temper. I think he is one of the most transparent people you'll come across. If he doesn't like something, he will say it on your face. Naseer sir plays a blind don in the film and what he brings to the table is fantastic. Dimple Kapadia is ageless. She is one of the most beautiful women in the Hindi film industry. She is childlike and such a simple soul
You suffered an injury on the set of this film...
I am injury prone. There is a joke about it in one of the hospitals that I visit. They say, they should keep a full-time orthopedic surgeon just for me since I keep breaking my bones. It takes a long time for me to heal, but I enjoy doing action.
You are the quintessential hot guy, who gets offered funny roles. Does that surprise you?
Action is second nature to me. I can do it even in my sleep. But comedy is beautiful since it makes people smile and we need that escapism. When I'm walking around in the crowd, there is a sense of physicality that's overpowering for the general audience but I have mastered the art of using it as a plus. Look at Dwayne Johnson in Tooth Fairy. He looks cute. Being tough is not about being dangerous. It's about being protective. That's what I'm all about. I have never lifted a hand on anybody till date but no one has touched me either.
Has the conflict of choosing between multi-starrers and solo hero projects ever bothered you?
I'll never be a part of the rat race. I enjoy my work and insecurities have never crossed my mind. The biggest godfather I have is my audience.
You continue to be in great shape.
This is me 365 days of the year. I don't do it for a film. It's a way of life. I lead by example and it feels good to be in shape. My lifestyle is like that. I don't lift weights anymore. I am 94 kilos and use my body weight to do everything
You are returning to films after two years. What kept you away?
It has been two years since Madras Café. I am in no hurry. I am a producer too and content creation takes a lot of my time. I also own a football team and it is a full-time job. If you had guests coming over to your house everyday, you probably want to send them away but if they come once in two years, you really want to keep that person. I think I am that guest who's coming back with a film after two years.
How was it stepping into Akshay Kumar's shoes, since he starred in the first film?
I look at Welcome Back as a fresh canvas. I never replaced Akshay. I have learnt a lot from him. When I signed this film, the first person I called was him. He was really happy. He said, “tu yeh picture kar.“ We share a beautiful relationship which goes beyond films. He is like an older brother and we do keep in touch. I recently met him. He is so strikingly handsome, such a beautiful man. I love his positivity.
What is Welcome Back all about?
Welcome Back begins where Welcome ends. Uday bhai (Nana Patekar) and Majnu bhai (Anil Kapoor) are now retired gangsters. I play the big gunda, Ajju bhai, who enters the scene leading to a comedy of errors. The film is neither gross or bloody, nor does it have any double-meaning jokes and skin show. Anybody can watch it without getting offended. When was the last time you watched a comedy that was this clean?
How would you describe your character Ajju bhai?
You are bound to fall in love with Ajju bhai. He is so shy that he has never kissed a girl in his life and calls kissing, 'lipping'. Every guy in this country can relate to him. He is somewhat like Munnabhai.
How was it working with veterans like Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia?
It was spontaneous. Comedy is like music and all these actors are like ace musicians. I have worked with Anil sir (Race 2 and Shootout At Wadala), Paresh sir (Garam Masala) and one of my finest films (Taxi No 9211) was with Nana sir. So, this film was like a homecoming of sorts. Nana sir would catch my cheeks and say 'Johnu' (smiles) and this is a man known for his temper. I think he is one of the most transparent people you'll come across. If he doesn't like something, he will say it on your face. Naseer sir plays a blind don in the film and what he brings to the table is fantastic. Dimple Kapadia is ageless. She is one of the most beautiful women in the Hindi film industry. She is childlike and such a simple soul
You suffered an injury on the set of this film...
I am injury prone. There is a joke about it in one of the hospitals that I visit. They say, they should keep a full-time orthopedic surgeon just for me since I keep breaking my bones. It takes a long time for me to heal, but I enjoy doing action.
You are the quintessential hot guy, who gets offered funny roles. Does that surprise you?
Action is second nature to me. I can do it even in my sleep. But comedy is beautiful since it makes people smile and we need that escapism. When I'm walking around in the crowd, there is a sense of physicality that's overpowering for the general audience but I have mastered the art of using it as a plus. Look at Dwayne Johnson in Tooth Fairy. He looks cute. Being tough is not about being dangerous. It's about being protective. That's what I'm all about. I have never lifted a hand on anybody till date but no one has touched me either.
Has the conflict of choosing between multi-starrers and solo hero projects ever bothered you?
I'll never be a part of the rat race. I enjoy my work and insecurities have never crossed my mind. The biggest godfather I have is my audience.
This entry was posted on October 4, 2009 at 12:14 pm, and is filed under
Akshay Kumar,
Anil Kapoor,
Dimple Kapadia,
Interviews,
John Abraham,
John Abraham interview,
Nana Patekar,
Welcome Back
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