With one big film still running and a second out this week, John looks at his ‘inflection point’

This year couldn’t have started on a better note for John Abraham, thanks to the rollicking success of Parmanu — The Story Of Pokhran. He readily admits that the current phase of his career is “the inflection point”. Now, as the actor gears up for the release of Satyameva Jayate this week, we catch up with him for a chat.

Satyameva Jayate releases right after Parmanu. Any pressure visàvis audiences’ expectations?

Actually, I feel nothing. I feel each film is different and comes with its own destiny. Likewise, Satyameva Jayate is very different from Parmanu. I am very excited because it’s a hugely entertaining film and, at the end of the day, a movie, first and foremost, is meant to entertain.

You know, Manoj (Bajpayee, co-star in Satyameva Jayate) was asked if he aspired to do this kind of a [commercial] film and he said, ‘If a commercial film has such a good story, then more power to such commercial films.’ I absolutely resonate with his thought, because when we heard this film [script], our instinctive reaction was, ‘It’s fantastic.’ I reacted very organically, as I usually go just by my gut, which told me that it’s a great commercial film. There are no commercial elements that it doesn’t possess, so we’re very happy and excited.

You’ve teamed up with Manoj again after Shootout At Wadala (2013). How has it been this time?

I think both of us can safely say today that by now, we know each other far better personally and are very comfortable as well. As an actor, I’m a beggar when you have an actor of his credibility and stature. I look at actors to feed off [their energy], and the same holds true vis-àvis him. It was fantastic. Manoj helped me a lot. Also, just performing with him was fun.

By now, are you absolutely comfortable with your craft?

Honestly speaking and without sounding cliché, if you play different characters on a continuous basis, you learn every day. With every different character, you learn something new so you are always evolving and so is your craft. You are always trying to learn something new and make the audience understand the journey of your character. So it’s always a learning experience.

After Parmanu’s success, has life or people’s behaviour towards you changed?

Firstly, I can proudly say that Parmanu has completed 80 days [in theatres] and it’s still running. The behaviour of people who know me well hasn’t changed and that’s heartening. And those whose behaviours have suddenly changed, I know them well enough now to not work with them. So, I’ll work with people, who’ve always stood by me. It’s as simple as that.

In 2018, you complete 15 years in Bollywood. How do you keep yourself inspired?

Ask any actor, and they’ll say that they love, eat, breathe, sleep films. Also, we play a different character or live a new life every six months or maybe every day. Ultimately, it’s all about your love for the craft. If you love what you do at work, you’ll be inspired; the day you stop liking it, time to hang up your boots. For me, I think the inflection point has come — as an actor and producer. The next five years will define what all I can do.

Satyameva Jayate is very different from Parmanu... There are no commercial elements that it doesn’t possess. JOHN ABRAHAM ACTOR