Hiren Kotwani and Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2019)

For over a year, we’ve been hearing about John Abraham stepping into Aamir Khan’s shoes for the sequel of Sarfarosh, under the aegis of director John Matthew Matthan. However, there’s been no word on the project, even as reports of the actor’s next lot of movies has been making news. When quizzed on the subject recently, the actor admitted, “I won’t comment more on it but it is not happening at this point of time.” The director reiterated this, “Yes, the film is not happening at this point of time.” But was quick to add, “I am working on the script and I plan to make it sometime.”

Diljit Dosanjh and Yami Gautam’s untitled comedy, directed by Haroon Mirza (son of veteran filmmaker Aziz Mirza), has apparently also been put on hold. Shooting was to start next month but according to a source, the Punjabi star is apprehensive about doing another laugh riot after his last outing, Arjun Patiala, failed to laugh its way to the bank. After his Bollywood debut, the multi-starrer Udta Punjab, even his sports drama, Soorma, didn’t get the numbers the makers had expected, even though it earned the actor praise for his portrayal of hockey player Sandeep Singh, while Welcome To New York received less than a warm welcome.

We tried contacting producer Ramesh Taurani, but he remained unavailable for comment. However, the source informed that the shoot has been cancelled.

Sushant Singh Rajput was so excited about telling the story of an Indian astronaut’s space mission that he went to NASA for a training session. However, the film, Chandamama Door Ke, seemed as unviable for investors as the mission to Mars seemed to the Indian government at one time. While Mars Orbiter Mission did become a reality, Sushant’s film, to be directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan (the director of Lahore), didn’t take off.

The actor is still keen to go into space but until that dream materailizes, he is making do with looking beyond the earth’s stratosphere through a high-end telescope that he bought for the film.

When quizzed on the Chanda... odyssey a source informed Mirror, “We don’t know if the film will happen someday but right now, it is definitely on hold.” Meanwhile, Chandrayaan 2 was successfully launched last month.

Riding the remake wave, the Hindi adaptation of the Kannada hit, Kirik Party, was announced last year. The campus romcom had a fresh jodi, Kartik Aaryan and Jacqueline Fernandez. But buzz is, the Luka Chuppi actor wasn’t too excited by the way the Hindi version was scripted. After some back and forth, Kartik opted out of the project in March this year. There’s been no news of another actor signing up for it since. Even Jacqueline is said to have given up on this party that wrapped up even before it started.

Then, there’s a film that has come to a halt after a long-drawn out battle. Rajkumar Santoshi’s epic the Battle Of Saragarhi with Randeep Hooda spearheading it as Havildar Ishar Singh has run out of steam after two years. Some blame it on the National Award winning filmmaker’s obsession for shooting from every possible angle and asking for several retakes, which resulted in the budget escalating.

Meanwhile, a television serial, 21 Sarfarosh — Saragarhi 1897, and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari, on the same subject — the historic 1897 battle in which 21 Sikh soldiers fought 10,000 Afghan invaders — made it to the screen making Santoshi’s producers wary.

Producer Rahul Mittra says, “We pulled off an ambitious launch event with three of the then Cabinet ministers giving the clap, but eventually, creative differences came in the way and someone else made a film on the same story.”

Months after declaring his presence in Sarfarosh sequel, John Abraham no longer part of the film; director claims he 'never confirmed casting'
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 15, 2019)

It was only last August that John Abraham, a self-confessed fan of Aamir Khan, confirmed that he would be stepping into the superstar's shoes for the sequel of Sarfarosh (1999). The actor had said, "We are still working on the script [of Sarfarosh sequel], but yes, it's happening with me. We plan to go on floors next year." Cut to nine months later, things seem to have gone downhill for the John Matthew Matthan-directed venture. mid-day has learnt that Abraham is no longer part of the cop drama.

A source reveals, "The actor was in touch with Matthan over the past several months as he was developing the script. The two were said to be co-producing the film. However, the economics of the project is not working out, which is why it hasn't gone on floors yet. On his part, John has committed to other films. He is currently shooting for Anees Bazmee's Pagalpanti. From July, he will start work on Rensil D'Silva's yet-untitled drama revolving around bike racing."

When mid-day reached out to Matthan about the turn of events, the filmmaker remained evasive about the casting. "I never confirmed that John is doing my film, nor did I mention any other actor's name to the media. I am not aware of what he has said. We were in negotiation, but, as of now, nothing has materialised. I am currently giving the finishing touches to the script. Only once we sign someone will I be able to comment on the casting."

Abraham's spokesperson said, "We were in discussion with John Matthan for Sarfarosh 2. But things didn't work out. We wish the best for the project."

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; August 8, 2018)

John Abraham has cracked the code on how to make a place for himself under the Bollywood sun and shine. The success of Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran won him accolades and also got him good numbers at the box office. Remind him of the legal woes he had to fight for it and he says, “While bigger movies have come and gone, Parmanu is still playing in theatres. That is the film’s calling; people know its strength. The respect it has given to me as an actor and producer is great.”

Now, he’s trying to carve a niche for himself with his Independence Day-release titled Satyameva Jayate, in which he plays a vigilante. Over a cuppa coffee, we chat about his line-up of movies and why his wife Priya Runchal stays away from media glare. Excerpts…

At a time when vigilantism is being questioned, aren’t you apprehensive of playing a vigilante in Satyameva Jayate?
We made the movie because we loved the idea. We’ve seen India-centric films for too long. I think the audience wants to watch commercial movies now. Satyameva Jayate has action, drama, romance, dialoguebaazi and the Dilbar song. People want paisa vasool entertainment and this movie gives them just that.

The 1970s and 80s saw a splurge of anti-establishment films in which the hero fought for the rights of the common man. Do you see Satyameva Jayate as your take on that genre in present times?
Through my character, it’s me venting the anger and frustration that I have against what happens in the society. I read about atrocities against women, rapes, bribery, corruption and animals being butchered. What do I do? Satyameva Jayate satiates my desire of giving it back and the audience watching it will feel that the character is doing what they would like to do. So, for some people, it’s aspirational. But at the same time, it doesn’t send out any wrong idea. Yes, it has a social message, but we have laced it in a commercial manner.

Just as movies that were made on the underworld were perceived as glorifying crime and gangsters, don’t you think this film will be seen as propagating vigilantism?
I feel sometimes people should take matters into their own hands. But this movie isn’t propagating that. It doesn’t make any tall claims. It’s a simple commercial entertainer. When people don’t get the justice they feel they deserve, how do you suggest they fight for their rights? While there are dishonest people in the system, I believe there are honest people, too. Like Manoj Bajpayee’s character, Shivansh, in this film is an upright police officer. When I was stuck during Parmanu, I went to the system. Justice Kathawalla, who heard my case in court, did justice, fair and square. With Satyameva Jayate, we are reaching out to the dishonest people. I’m not a crusader against the corruption in the system. The trailer clearly says that anyone who is dishonest and harms any woman will face my wrath.

You’re working with Manoj Bajpayee after Shootout At Wadala.
I’m a huge fan of Manoj. He brings credibility to the film, and gravitas to his character. He fits the character perfectly. And when someone like him comes on board, everyone’s level of performance goes a few notches higher.

What was the common factor over which both of you bonded so well?
As much as we choose not to believe it but both of us know that we come from outside the industry. We kept telling each other that we need to do this (film), we empathised with each other. He will always be really high up there for me.

Is your approach to your role different while working with an actor like Manoj?
You feel fortunate because when you are working with someone like him, you learn a lot. He is an inspiration, an institution. As an actor, I’m greedy. So, when I share the screen with actors like Mr Amitabh Bachchan and Manoj Bajpayee, anything that I see them doing, I grab it and learn from it.

With Satyameva Jayate, Romeo Akbar Walter and Batla House coming after Parmanu, it seems a series of nationalistic subjects have caught your attention.
With Satyameva Jayate, we have addressed issues. Batla House is based on a real-life incident and RAW, which is also inspired by true events, is one of the most compelling stories I’m doing. Why am I gravitating towards them? Well, I just look at good scripts and coincidentally, these stories came in this space. I’m also doing a comedy. If you see my filmography over the years, I’ve tried to do different things. Whether I failed or succeeded, I’m never going to be in the same zone for long.

What prompted you to produce Batla House with Nikkhil Advani?
We think alike. If there is another brutally and blatantly honest person in the film industry, then it’s Nikkhil. We decided to do more work together and it’s just a meeting of minds. We get along on many different levels. And it’s not necessary that we have to speak to each other about something, a lot of what we understand between ourselves is unspoken. A combination like that is very potent in our industry and we’d like to exploit that.

But you two didn’t exactly stay in touch post Salaam-E-Ishq (2007)?
Yes, we hadn’t stayed in touch for the longest time. When director Milap Zaveri narrated Satyameva Jayate to me, I asked him who’s producing it. Nikkhil told him that if I was keen to do so, then he would let go. But I insisted that Nikkhil back it and I would act in it.

You’re also doing John Mathew Matthan’s sequel to Sarfarosh (1999)?
Yes, John Mathew and I are collaborating on the film. The script is still in the development process. There’s nothing more that I can say about this at this point.

How do you look back at the legal wrangle over Parmanu while others are still fighting their respective court battles with the co-producer?
It is important to clean the dirt out of the system. I thank Justice Kathawalla for his handling of the matter. I feel bad for the others. I had the guts to say things as they are. It’s good to be honest and bear its fruit.

While you’ve talked about your wife being your strong support, can you tell us about her role in your company?
Priya is dignified and keeps herself away from the public glare. She handles our football team, NorthEast United FC, by herself and that also involves spending Rs 40-50 cr a year. That’s like producing two films. She is a great support system and a nice, affable person. We can talk for hours on any subject and it’s great listening to her views.

The major reason is that you’re not seen when you don’t have a movie for release and she stays away from the spotlight.
We choose to keep it that way. She has her own interests. There are a lot of verticals running parallel in our company JA Entertainment. We’re looking at startups, she’s concentrating on that and aggressively looking at it. With her degree at the University of California, Los Angeles and work experience at World Bank, she has got more qualifications than I’ve got (smiles).

John Abraham confirms stepping into Aamir Khan's shoes
MID-DAY (August 4, 2018)

Days after mid-day had reported that John Abraham would replace Aamir Khan in the second instalment of Sarfarosh (1999), the actor confirmed to reporters that he, indeed, was working on John Matthew Matthan's venture.

Abraham promised that the action-drama would be distanced from the original. "John Mathew Matthan and I are co-producing the film. We are still working on the script, but, yes, it's happening with me. We plan to go on floors next year. He is probably the only director whose house I went to after seeing Sarfarosh and said, 'Man what a film'."

Sarfarosh, also featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Sonali Bendre, chronicled the story of an Indian police officer's quest to stop cross-border terrorism. It opened to critical acclaim and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. When asked if he is apprehensive about stepping into Khan's shoes, Abraham said, "I'm, in fact, excited. I love Aamir Khan. It's a challenge, but it's a different character and different story, even though the ethos is the same. It's going to be very exciting."

The actor's line-up of films - beginning with Satyameva Jayate releasing on August 15 - includes Batla House, and RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter. "Batla House will be the most explosive film you've seen. It'll show how polarised the world is, and it's straight in its face. If [viewers] accept Batla House, it will be the most successful film," he says.

Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film features Abraham as the cop who led the Batla House encounters, which occurred in September 2008 against Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Jamia Nagar, Delhi. "It's an honest film and Nikkhil is an honest director. We have got something so explosive in our hands and we will treat it with a lot of caution," the actor adds.

Abraham recently shot for the first schedule of RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter, directed by Robbie Grewal. The actor said there will be 18 different looks of his in the spy thriller and the shoot was "pretty intense."

He says his line-up of films resonates with what he wants to do as an actor-producer. "This is probably an inflection point in my career where I can say, at least in terms of the cinema that I'm getting out as a producer, as an actor, the next five years are probably [going to be] my best years," he signed off.