John Abraham on today’s headline-grabbing news, why he felt the need to turn producer and the many franchises he wants to carry forward
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 5, 2019)

John Abraham who has been shooting for Anees Bazmee’s upcoming comedy, Pagalpanti, in London, made a quick dash to Mumbai for his new spy-drama that revolves around the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Excerpts from an interview:

From last year’s Parmanu and Satyameva Jayate to Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), your recent films have been patriotic in tone. Are you trying to create a new niche for yourself?
Not at all. But when a good script which happens to be patriotic comes along, I would really want to do it. When Robbie (Grewal, director) narrated the script of RAW, it just took me a second to give my nod to it. It’s the most unbelievable script.

There’s a dialogue in the trailer, “We are on the verge of a war with Pakistan” which echoes the current tension. Also, the recent Balakot airstrike was the first since the 1971 war, which also happens to be the backdrop of RAW.
I’d like to clarify that our film was conceptualised more than a year ago, so it’s not like we planned the release around these incidents. Our release was always scheduled between March 15 to April 12 and we are coming on April 5. So, it’s not as if we’re being opportunistic or that the film is jingoistic. It’s the story of a spy, it doesn’t tell you to go bash your neighbours.

Having said that, it does resonate with the present situation in the country and the region, a situation that creates a platform for us to tell the country what happened in 1971. Robbie’s army background and our research make it an extremely credible film.

The larger topic of discussion here is war against terrorism…
And that I completely endorse, terror has to be wiped out. ‘Terrorist’ is a cuss word in the society. But there is a lot of collateral damage too that happens not only on our side of the border, but theirs as well. A lot of lives are lost, so that’s a tough decision that is best taken by the government.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain and Abhishek Kapoor have just announced a film on the recent air strikes in Balakot which will be directed by Abhishek and kickstarts by the middle of the year. Would you want to be a part of it?
I would like to but I am unaware of this specific project. I have grown up on Top Gun, and if you are from that generation, you really want to do a film like that.

Did you ever want to join the army?
Always. I really believe that every kid after high school should spend two years in the army. It should be mandatory.

Why?
That’s because it’s only in the army that one understands what you should do for your country, not what your country should do for you. It’s a learning experience, and I have a lot of respect for the army, navy and the air force. Our real heroes are in the defence forces.

You have 18 different looks in RAW. Did you ever go unnoticed while shooting for the film?
Oh yes, I could walk around anywhere. I’m a guy who is known for his action, body and identified by his face. RAW took all that away and gave me the opportunity to perform which I really enjoyed. One of the reasons I became a producer was because I wanted to make films that I want to do as an actor. When I had the market saleability to make that shift, I turned producer. And if you see my repertoire as an actor after I became a producer, it’s a quantum leap. I am doing films that I am convinced about and not bowing down to the diktats of commercialisation. Today I enjoy calling myself an actor, the kind that I really want to be.

Was Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti a deliberate decision to shift to a lighter space?
Yes, it’s true, but at the same time, I am also a big fan of Anees. I wanted to do a film that would be palatable to families, I want them to come and have a good time, Pagalpanti is that film. We are having a great time shooting it in London.

What’s happening on Sarfarosh 2 and Force 3?
Sarfarosh is still in the developing stage. That’s the problem with me, I spend a year or two developing the script before I take it on the floors. Shooting is the easiest part. We aren’t moving too fast on it as I have some other commitments too. I do want the Force franchise to go on as I believe it’s the only credible action franchise we have in the country besides Tiger’s (Shroff) Baaghi. Force 3 should happen for every action junkie. But I haven’t discussed it with Vipul (Shah, co producer) yet.

And Welcome 3?
Firoz Nadiadwala (producer) and I have been talking about Welcome 3. I’m really excited about doing it but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

Any chances of you returning to the Dostana sequel?
If it’s happening, they couldn’t have got a better producer than Karan Johar. I am happy for him, but I haven’t spoken to him about the project.

You have just wrapped up the shoot of Nikkhil Advani’s Batla House which is opening on August 15. It will clash with Akshay Kumar’s Mission Mangal. Satyameva Jayate and Gold had also come on the same day last year. Don’t either of you want to shift your films?
No, that’s what I really like about the relationship that I share with Akshay. We don’t politicise the fact that we are releasing on the same date and we will still be good friends. Someone has to crash the party someday. But on Fridays like these, there is enough space for everyone. 

John Abraham celebrates a hard-won battle; insists he’ll continue to back subjects he believes in but will be wary in picking who he works with
Roshmila bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2018)

Parmanu was a difficult journey but your confidence and conviction in the film seems to have eventually paid off…
Yes, today I feel vindicated, validated and relieved. I was clear about what I was making and that I wanted the film to release, come hail or storm because Parmanu was a special baby. The odds were stacked against us, we had just 10 days to promote the film which released during the IPL semis and finals, just two weeks after Raazi and a week before Veere Di Wedding. Had it had a smoother release, we might have done better business going by trade estimates, but I’m grateful to the media and the audience for their support. It’s so humbling when people say it’s my best film as a producer and my best performance as an actor that at times I don’t know how to react.

When you look back, what was the darkest phase in this journey?
When I realised this was a battle I had to justifiably fight alone. I’m a realist, I don’t expect anything from anyone, somebody had to raise their voice and I did. I’m thankful to the High Court and the judge for ruling in my favour, ensuring Parmanu saw the light of the day.

What’s happening with your erstwhile partner Prernaa Arora?
I have no idea and I don’t think the subject merits a discussion.

This was the first time you collaborated with someone who was not from the industry. Has the experience made you wary as far as choosing production partners is concerned?
Of course it has. But I am collaborating on RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter as an actor with Ajay Kapoor who was my production partner on Parmanu too and stuck by me to the end, which I really appreciate. We, as an industry, run to where the money is. But after my experience I will tell my colleagues to make sure they know exactly where the money comes from and more importantly, where it doesn’t come from. I’m a beggar for appreciation and money is just a by-product of the journey.

As a producer you’ve always gambled with films like Vicky Donor, Madras Café and now Parmanu, none of them safe commercial entertainers...
As a producer, I’ve always aimed to marry content with commerce and ensure that everyone in the distribution chain makes money. But at the same time, I want to explore subjects difficult to make because I’m not afraid of failure, so I can take risks. I’ll take full responsibility for the failure of any film made under my banner and if I’m successful, I’d like people to know that I went with my gut instinct. I’m prepared for the bouquets with the brickbats and here, I got the bouquets.

You did but after a hard-won battle against Prernaa. Has the experience put you off production?
Not at all, I also discovered that there are good people who back honesty and credibility. This has empowered me to back the kind of subjects I want to make even though I know I will face the regular creative questions with them.

For two years, you hardly accepted any acting assignments and now you are on an over-drive. You’ve wrapped up Satyamev Jayate, signed another Nikkhil Advani production, Batla House, kicked off RAW and then there’s a film with Rensil D’Silva based on the book, Moryaa Re: The Ganpati Murders...
First, let me clarify that I’m doing a film with Rensil which should happen by the middle of next year and I’m making a web series based on this book but that’s not with Rensil. Rensil’s film is a beautiful human story, around two years of research has already gone into it and anything that comes out of that will be special. RAW and Batla House are probably the most challenging films I’m doing, the subjects were too good to be missed.

What’s coming from your production house?
I’m co-producing Batla House with Nikkhil. After a long time I’ve found a friend, confidante, producer, director and now a partner in Nikkhil. I wanted to extend my association with him in every count because we’re very happy to be with each other. We are exploring other ideas too but for the moment there’s just Batla House and two web series.

From the films you are doing, one gets the impression that you have gone back to action?
Most of the films I’m doing right now are high-voltage dramas with a bit of action. Whether I do action or not, the image of an action hero stays and I’m happy with that. There’s a huge vacuum in the kind of action I do and I want to fill it with an intelligent emotional action film. We’re working on scripts. There’s a fantastic action series but that’s just an idea now.

What about taking the Force franchise forward?
Vipul (Shah) and I have been communicating regularly. Right now he’s busy with his film and we’ll know better once he is back. I want to take Force forward but it will depend on how we structure our deal from here on.

Filmmaker has plenty on his plate, from a quirky comedy to a man-kid drama, a buddy flick, an action comedy and a bang-bang franchise
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 6, 2018)

What was the most amusing reaction to your 2011 black comedy Delhi Belly?
“Boss, after watching your film I can’t drink orange juice anymore!” (Laughs) When I was at Harvard University, some NRI students were excited to have a new words for laundry… ‘lundry’. But for me personally the biggest high was watching my then 85-year-old dad (actor Ramesh Deo) and my son who was 12 laugh together over the same film. Of course, my dad had been skeptical initially, wondering if I really wanted to show this film to my son while my son had asked, “You really want to show this to grandpa?”

Your father, Ramesh Deo, is in his nineties now and still active…
Yes till last year he was actively doing films and commercials. He’s younger than my brother and me put together and I feel so blessed to have parents like mine who are not just inspiring public figures but inculcated in us the right values. I wasn’t launched by my father, that was never an option. I had been told early on that I would have to work really hard for every opportunity and I’m happy for it.

It’s seven years since your first directorial, why haven’t you cashed in on its success with a sequel?
I was pretty gung-ho about a sequel and had even left the film open at the end. But the writer, Akshat Varma, couldn’t come up with an idea that would merit a Part 2. I’ve always wanted to direct another quirky comedy since but not rightaway. Blackmail was the 48th script I read. Actually I read both Force 2 and this one sent by my friend Parveez Sheikh almost simultaneously and knew instantly that I had to make this film. Even Irrfan (Khan) saw the potential in it and said yes immediately. It’s crazy, quirky stuff, with an instant connect with the new-age audience, yet Blackmail is not Delhi Belly. It’s a tad darker perhaps because of the subject.

Have you ever been blackmailed?
Never, emotionally or financially! But as a storyteller and a director, I like to play with emotions, reverse them for creativity and originality. There was this crazy Brit black comedy, Death At A Funeral which really tickled my funny bone even though it revolved around something as morbid as a funeral and a corpse.

While Force 2 was in the making John Abraham had revealed that you already had an idea for Part 3.
Yes, we do have a couple of stories in mind, but after that I got busy with Blackmail and John with Parmanu and now (producer) Vipul Shah, the third part of the Force franchise, will be tied up with his directorial, Namstey England, so Part 3 will have to wait its turn.

And what about another season of the TV series, 24?
We do have an idea for season 3, but today with the digital players in the market, TV is a different ball game altogether and I’m not sure if 24 on GEC (General Entertainment Channel) today would be wise for a channel but there are a lot of people involved, including Fox, and it’s their call.

So what’s the next big thing?
My life is all about movies so some scripts are written, some are being written… I’m working on a crazy action-comedy and there’s also a heartwarming drama revolving around a man and a kid. Then there’s a buddy flick that will make you laugh and cry and a totally Indian, lavishly mounted period-drama. Our weakest area has always been our script. It’s time to stop aping the West, give the world a story that is homegrown and engaging.

Interesting to see a guy who likes quirky comedies as much as action.
Yes, action and humour are not usually on the same platform but since I was a kid I’ve been a huge fan of Jackie Chan and John Woo and an avid gamer who’s played all the action games. And the sense of humour is intrinsic, I’m always cracking jokes on everything around and there was this persistent itch to do an out-and-out action film and Force 2 was born out of the desire. And I can promise you the third instalment of the franchise will be way bigger, the writing already is. I’m not afraid to take risks, rather I thrive on them.

Filmmaker returns to direction after seven years with a movie on drug testing on humans, actor in talks to play doctor
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 12, 2017)

John Abraham discusses third Force film, denies being part of Kabir Khan’s web series, says he’ll be back in December with his next production
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 27, 2017)

Ten minutes to go for our 11 am appointment but the ever punctual John Abraham is already in his office. So is Bailey, who refuses to be kept on the other side of the glass door. She barks her way in, wagging her tail excitedly, sniffing around in circles, before settling at John’s feet. That’s puppy love!

Looking at his ‘baby’ fondly, he informs that she’s a rescue dog. Priya Agarwal who heads the shelter YODA (Youths Organization in Defence of Animals) got in touch with his wife Priya (Runchal) and requested they be her foster parents for three days. “One day, I saw this three-month pup getting out of an ambulance. Three days later, she left for her new home and I broke down. Within two days I’d brought her back. Today, she rules my life. I’m flustered if she’s unwell, which is scary,” he says with heart-warming candour.

More confessions when we move to his other love — his four bikes and a new sports car. “I’m half Parsi-Irani so I hardly ride them, I only polish them. If anyone wants to buy a car or a bike they can contact me. My rides are better than those in any showroom and have run no more than 100 kms each,” he informs. Realising that John’s not going anywhere, Bailey pads out.

His last release, Force 2, arrived on November 18, 2016, a week after demonetisation came into effect, and suffered its after-effects. He reveals that they’d toyed with the idea of shifting the release but the studio didn’t want to lose money. But the Force is still with him. Part 3 will kick off by the year-end with the actor bringing back the original, raw ACP Yashvardhan. “Force is all about body, action and plot, we’ll keep that intact. We already have a plot which is close to my heart. It’s one of the best true stories to come out of India,” John reveals.

Before Force 3 with Vipul Shah and director Abhinay Deo, he’s lined up another production which opens on December 8. He’s set the date because it offers him a clear two-week window and won’t entertain any calls on the subject. “I’ve moved enough for people, this time let them move their dates. January 26 would have been the ideal release date but two other films are already coming on Republic Day, including my friend Akshay Kumar’s 2.0 and he’d bash me up,” John chuckles.

The yet-untitled production is inspired by India’s successful nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998. After Force 2, he took an introspective break and decided only to make films that were special to him. He met Tere Bin Laden director Abhishek Sharma, who’d been working on this subject for over two years. “We took the idea from him and have been developing it in-house at JA Entertainment for the last 10 months. It’s not an arty, preachy film but more commercial than any mainstream film. It tells young people that if you think India is cool, then this is the reason why it’s cool,” he asserts.

John remembers being woken up, as a young boy, by a drop of water falling on his face. Looking up, he saw his mother crying as she drew the curtains. She told him India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had been killed and he wondered why the death of a stranger should impact their lives. “Later, when I started reading up on his assassination I understood why she’d been sad and I promised myself that I’d make a film on it. Shoojit (Sircar) shared my vision. Madras Café would have been our first production had we not been thrown out of every studio under 30 seconds. It was only after the hit Vicky Donor came out, that we were able to make it,” he reminisces.

The Pokhran tests triggers a memory too from his MBA days. He recalls reading about a villager there, who when asked how he felt about his house being broken, quipped, “Ghar toota to kya hua, Hindustan to ban gaya.” The words made John feel proud to be an Indian. “Since then I’ve wanted to make a film on the subject for myself and the country, tell the millennial generation that if India is a super power today, a part of BRICS, it’s because of these tests and such patriots,” he says, recalling how Aditya Chopra once told him that while his best films — Water, No Smoking and Kabul Express — may not have worked big commercially they define the actor he is. He agrees, pointing out that Kabir Khan’s Kabul Express took him to beleaguered Afghanistan. “Today, I’d wish for a film that would take me to Syria,” he muses.

Kabir has reportedly inculcated him into his upcoming web series, The Forgotten Army. John admits they did meet and talk but he’s not a part of the show. “Kabir is a fantastic director and human being and this is a dream project. It’ll make him an international name. I’m waiting to work with him again,” he smiles.

The smile disappears when you bring up the subject of the romantic thriller, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga, with him as a cop. He says it could be a part of KriArj Entertainment (they are co-producing the Pokhran test film with him) slate but not his. “Raj Kumar Gupta didn’t turn up for a few meetings so I don’t know where the film stands,” he shrugs.

Over the last three years, while other actors-producers were making films or buying foreign remake rights, John was developing original, in-house content, giving a story and a structure to an idea so an actor would buy it and the audience, consume it. “Today, I have two interesting ideas for web series which we’d like to play out in an episodic manner. It’s great that big players are entering the digital market because it offers me another window after theatrical. We’re still five years away from films being premiered directly on a digital platform because our top stars still want to see themselves on the big screen first. But I’m open to entering this space as an actor. If my team believes I’m right for a role, I’m game. If there are five other names before mine, I’ll go after them, even if they are A-listers,” he promises.

Unlike many of his actor-producer colleagues, John is more pragmatic about the digital revolution and foresees many of these players being dumped with bad content for which they’ve paid humongous prices, unless they are careful about what they pick. “I’ve faced the brunt of studio heads making bad choices, then questioning my content. Right now they’re mostly being sold stars, ideas and projects. I’m one of the few who has a story to sell and can take them through the visual flow chart. If they like it, great, if not, I’d have tried. I know there will be a sweet space for me in the future,” he asserts, pointing out that the thread that binds the industry is insecurity. “If someone is paid an ‘X’ amount, the other moves to another platform and demands more. It’s time to smell the coffee. If it’s only your face you have to offer, it’s not enough.”

He’s also realises that he doesn’t have a past library to offer them. “I have produced just four films and one-two in the future. My company’s still a boutique house. We’re not in a rat race to sell a slate. We are here to create original content,” he asserts.

The down-to-earth attitude is evident as the conversation moves to Abhay Deol and his Facebook post criticising actors who have endorsed fairness creams. “Abhay has a point, he has every right to say what he wants. But in our campaign, we don’t talk about fairness anymore, our focus is on results, like how to make blemishes lighter. We don’t play on the emotional quotient to sell our product. I stand by my brand. At the same time I’m thinking of approaching Abhay, whom I respect, for a film,” John signs off with a smile.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 21, 2016)

Over the years, John Abraham has created for himself the image of an action star. As he gears up for the release of Force 2, the actor desires to have his own action franchise. “In the West, most of the action stars have an acclaimed action franchise. Matt Damon has the ‘Bourne’ series to his credit while Sylvester Stallone has Rambo. In the same way, John Abraham has Force. It has become a legitimate franchise. It will be presumptuous for me to say that we will do another film in the ‘Force’ series as we all know how opportunistic this industry is. But I am sure Force 3 is inevitable because my character, ACP Yashwardhan needs to grow and we already have a hint where he is going next,” he says.

His last few outings at the box office have all been action-oriented films, and John says he will never get tired of doing action. “The success of Force convinced me to do a lot more action films. I am get fitter and stronger for my next film as I have to raise the bar. I compete with myself. I hate saying this but I love danger.” Recalling an incident from the sets of Force 2, the actor adds, “We were shooting in Budapest when I met with a knee injury and had to undergo three surgeries. There was a chance that I’d lose one limb. I was on morphine and had a drain pipe stuck to my leg. When people talk about giving blood and sweat to a film, I actually did that.”