"I was happy during my single phase" - John Abraham

John pulls strings for exciting middle-road movies like Madras Café and talks about his personal life.

Q. You seem to be excited about Madras Café?
A
By far, Madras Café is light years ahead of its time. This is me telling the world, ‘Hey, India can also create cinema like this’. It’s not just commercial but can also reach out across borders – not just to an Indian Diaspora overseas but to a complete North American and a European market.

Q. Do you believe you have an eye for a good script?
A
I’ve always been keen about doing different films. My first film Jism was a different film too. John Abraham could be a pure A-list commercial actor but he’s always chosen a path that’s been different. Even if some of my films failed, I believe they were smart decisions and I will stand by them. If those movies were offered to me in the future, I’d still do them knowing they would flop. Someone has to go through the bleeding period. If no one has the audacity to do it, I'll do it. I want to be the game changer.

Q. What do you think of the 100-crore club?
A
(Smiles) I’ve been part of it twice (Housefull 2 and Race 2) but I don’t feel elated about it. Any sensible person will know that the nature of our business is changing, not the quality of films. It’s good that films are inching towards the 100-crore club. And when good films make it to the 100-crore club, it will feel nicer too!

Q. What has the industry taught you?
A
I must have done something right to have lasted this long. And I must have done a lot of things wrong to not have reached where I could have. That boils down to the choice of films. John Abraham is not expecting the industry to teach him anything. Instead he’d like to contribute, in a way that people would know he existed in a positive way. I always wanted to be a game changer, an off-roader. I always rev up the engine, pull the accelerator when I’m on an off road because I know I have to take that camel hump and go right up. I know I could come crashing down but I have to take that chance. I have equated my life with an off-road journey. That’s the way John Abraham’s career is. He’s always gonna kick up dust, he’s always gonna take that massive fall, he gonna hit the ground real hard but he’s gonna get up, mend his broken bones and ride again. If there is anyone in this industry who is failure proof, it is me. By the grace of God, I have an audience that follows me irrespective of my failure or success. I can only build that audience by doing better films. This is the new John Abraham.

Q. Do you make different choices as a producer and as an actor?
A
Yes, I select different films as a producer and as an actor. As an actor, I select hardcore commercial cinema. Like Dostana 2 is a commercial film at its best. As a producer, I’d still make films like Madras Café and Vicky Donor. I will always launch new faces. I’m the happiest for Ayushmann Khurrana. I feel proud of him. His talent has brought him here but if there’s a facilitator, it’s good.

Q. In Dostana, the USP was your famous butt scene. What is it going to be in Dostana2?
A
(Smiles) I don’t know. I’ve heard some of the scenes, they are beyond hilarious. I’m looking forward to working with Abhishek Bachchan and Tarun Mansukhani (director) again.

Q. What about family? Are you a good son?
A
I choose to believe I am a good son. I’m a family guy. But I believe as humans, we are nicer to the rest of the world than to the people close to us. We take them for granted. I believe I’m guilty of doing the same. So as much as I try and portray that I am this ideal Utopian guy, I am not. I still need to pull up my socks, tighten my seatbelt and take a long drive and understand what life’s all about. And what I can offer to the people in my life.

Q. Your parents must be proud of your new profile, no?
A
They are proud of me. They’ve always heard me talking about my plans for the past seven-eight years and suddenly in two years; it’s all happened... wow! They’re proud that Vicky Donor won four National Awards.

Q. Whenever there’s a break up, the woman walks away with all the sympathy. Do you think that’s unfair?
A
I don’t pay attention to it because I have been a fair human being in life. And people who know me well, know that. That’s what matters to me. My integrity as a human being has not been compromised and I’m proud of that. I was single for the longest time before I got into another relationship. I was happy during my single phase and I am happy in the phase that I am in now. Who knows what the future has to offer. Let’s see!

Q. Are you looking forward to fatherhood?
A
(Laughs) Oh, that’s too far ahead. Right now, I am looking forward to Vicky Donor 2!