FIRST SHOT TELLS IT ALL
John Abraham says that now he knows from the very beginning which films will work, or not
Most actors claim that they like to experiment and that they are undaunted by failure. John Abraham doesn’t just say it, but has proved it through his film choices, both as an actor and a producer. Sitting in the happy glow of Parmanu’s success, John talks about his favourite genre, his belief, and his guarded private life.
You’ve had a track record of taking up unconventional subjects. How do you do it? What I do is when I choose a subject, I say ‘Hey, it’s difficult, how am I going to pull it off?’ Then I smile and decide ‘Then I’m going to do it!’ — it’s very clear that if it’s practically impossible to pull off, then I’ll do it. I like non-formula. I have no fear of failure. [At least] people will say, ‘He attempted what normally people won’t attempt.’
As a filmmaker, you choose nonmasala subjects, but as an actor you do masala films...
My favourite genre is comedy; I love it! I am not equipped as a producer to do probably a big comedy like Welcome Back (2015) or Housefull 2 (2012). A journalist pointed out to me recently, ‘John, you’ve done everything, from a Garam Masala (2005) to a Madras Café (2013) to a Water (2005) to a Kabul Express (2006), to a Welcome Back. But people probably realise a lot later about the diversity of your filmography.’ It’s important to do all kinds of cinema.
What makes you remain so guarded about your private life? I’m not a firm believer in the way things are being done right now. Is it important for you as an actor to put everything out in the public domain? Then you get affected by what people say. It’s a matter of personal choice. I don’t conform to it.
Does your wife Priya watch your films? Any favourites?
Yes, totally. Dostana (2008) is her favourite.
Parmanu is a hit, but how do you deal with failure?
I’m so nuanced now, that when I do the first shot of my film, I go to my producer, and say, ‘This film is not working. Do you still want to go ahead, because I’m contractually signed with you?’ They say ‘Yes, it will work.’ But I know what’s working, or not.
From your filmography, which remains your favourite?
My favourite film is No Smoking (2007). But who saw it outside of my director and me? Very few people saw it, but due to the passion among audiences, it got a cult following. (Producer) Aditya Chopra once said, ‘John, your most intelligent choices have been the ones that were different, whether they worked or failed. You keep doing that, while everybody else does the commercial thing, and they will burn out. You always experiment, that will always work in your favour.’ I will do that not by design, but by default.
What are your next films?
I have Satyamev Jayate, Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), and Batla House. As for my next production, we’ll start work on it by March 2019. I’ll attempt probably the most beautiful human story.