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‘THERE’S A FEAR OF LOSING YOUR IDENTITY, IT’S SCARY’ Tall dreams for Lucknow’s ‘Pinki’
John Abraham weighs in on risks of being in a character for long, says box office collections key
He has worked in a variety of films, but John Abraham has always been identified with his macho characters. Films such as Dhoom (2004), Force (2011), Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018), Satyameva Jayate (2018), Romeo Akbar Walter and Batla House (both 2019), have only carved a niche for him. The model-turnedactor, who ended the last year with Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti, talks about how actors need to be socially responsible, why it is fair to judge a movie by its box office collection, and more. Excerpts:
How do you switch from a serious role to a lighter one?
It’s tough. I did Pagalpanti after Batla House. I remember in the first few days of Pagalpanti, I went to Anees, and told him I need time. It took me two to three days to find my space. It is easy to impress people with action sequences... something I can do in my sleep. But making someone laugh is all about comic timing. Fortunately, I learned it early in my career.
As an actor, do you like to live with the character?
I do take the character home if I am doing an intense film. Like ACP Sanjeev Kumar, in Batla House, I lived with that character for a very long time. There is a fear of losing your identity at times, it’s scary.
It is 18 years since your debut, how has the journey been?
It’s been interesting. The best part is that I’m a very secure person. The language and audience of the films have changed, and today’s audiences accept the films I do.
Does the actor in you still get nervous before the release date? Not at all. When I give the first or second shot of a film or when I sign up for it, I know the kind of business it will do. At times, I know it will be a sub ₹50-crore movie, but I’ll still do it.
Will we see you in the digital space any time soon?
I would find it, at least at this point of time, a little difficult to move into the digital space. I’ve made it very clear to people that John Abraham means large screen.
Do you think it is fair to judge a movie by its box office collections? A film has to be commercially viable and that’s how the trade gauges you. But more than the money it makes, let me use the right term — return on investment (ROI). If I make my film for ₹30 crore and it makes ₹100 crore, it’s fantastic. But if I make my film for ₹200 crore and it makes ₹200 crore, it’s not really fantastic.
As an actor, how important is it to be socially responsible?
It is extremely important. We are a country where 60-65% of our population is below the age of 40. You are not just a model, you are a role model here. Say the right things and shut up if you don’t know what to say.
Do you feel the way women are portrayed in Bollywood has changed over the years? Satyameva Jayate had an item song. Sometimes you have to do things according to what the film demands. I want to make socially relevant films, but we’re yet to come to a time when studios won’t say, ‘The numbers on this film are going to be this much if it’s a woman.’
Lucknow girl Riya Shukla is set for a big leap by playing the title role in upcoming TV show ‘Naati Pinky Ki Lambi Love Story’. The actor has earlier featured in films like ‘Hichki’ and ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ and will be next seen in Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer film ‘Raat Akeli Hai’ that was shot in Lucknow.
A resident of Indira Nagar, she studied at MKSD Inter College in Nishatganj. “I have done my schooling in Lucknow. Now, I am living in Mumbai with my mother but I am still perusing my graduation from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Prayagraj, which has a branch in Lucknow. I have given my third year exam,” she said over phone.
Riya is third amongst four siblings – two brothers and two sisters. Her father works in the Secretariat while her mother is a homemaker.
Her journey started in 2012 when she appeared in the TV talent show for children ‘Hindustan Ke Hunrbaaz’. “I performed a dance in the show and the judges were very impressed and I was declared the winner of the episode. Judge and actor Sonali Bendre praised my expressions and dance a lot and inspired me to take up acting,” she said.
In 2014, she got a chance to play Swara Bhaskar’s daughter in Ashwini Iyer Tiwari’s ‘Nil Battey Sannata’. “By God’s grace, I never had to hunt for work. It has all come my way. I auditioned for NBS at my residence and the offer
RIYA SHUKLA
of (Rani Mukherjee starrer) ‘Hichiki’ too at my house. NPTLLS too came to me only. I love the script and here I am playing Pinki,” she said.
The actor feels that though the show deals with the character of a short girl, she has never faced problems in her personal life. “Except on one occasion, when I wanted to participate in a fashion show and was rejected as I did not have the height, I have not faced many problems. Pinki’s height is shown as 4.8 inch in the show so I can relate with it very well,” she said.
In the show, she said they are not just showing the problem Pinki faces. “It’s a
I have done my schooling in Lucknow. Now, I am living in Mumbai with my mother but I am still perusing my graduation from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Prayagraj, which has a branch in Lucknow
ACTOR
unique concept and it’s a fact that in our society we face issues of height, weight, complexion and other featurerelated issues. Here we have pegged it on height but have tried to show her spirit that if you have a talent or a positive approach to life then no one can pull you down. It’s a very inspiring story and I am sure people will connect with it,” she said.
She is excited about her next film which she shot in Lucknow with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “I have other offers too but right now my focus is on this show as it’s a very important show for me and a big issue too,” she said.