A chiselled body, heart-piercing smile and a warm personality, John Abraham undoubtedly is a heartthrob and will always remain as one.
In fact, some have even dubbed him as the Dwayne Johnson of Bollywood and I can see why!
Besides the good looks, the 45-year-old actor has gradually proved his mettle as an actor. Plus, of recent, he has delivered some impressive films as a producer.
Having looked back at his career, we have seen him play ‘angry young man’ roles in the past with films like Zinda, Karam and Force, to name a few.
However, in Satyameva Jayate (which releases on 15th August), we will see John in a novel avatar as he is set to make the corrupt pay by any means.
But according to John, there is a lot more to what meets the eye in this Milap Zaveri film. Read and Listen to my interview him as he talks about Satyameva Jayate, his career and more.
We have seen you undertake various cop and governmental roles of recent. What is so different about Vir and how do you hope the audience will receive it?
I just feel Satyameva Jayate is a wholesome, entertaining film, it’s a fun film. Anything you want to do on a holiday where you go out and enjoy your money’s worth, the film offers you that.
As far as my character is concerned, it’s one with a lot of shades and that is why I wanted to do it because it is a complex character.
Normal is boring. When I was offered the character, it was just something more than just being ‘normal’.
The trailer is just a tip of the iceberg. The film offers more than just a trailer. So, there’s so much of a story in the film and it’s one about human relationships.
Me and Manoj Bajpayee (I speak for him as well), the reason why we did this film is that we finally found a commercial film that gives so much more than just plain ‘Naach Gaana’.
The fact that we are both associated with this film means that there must be something more to this film than what meets the eye.
That’s what we want the audience to see on 15th August.
As your character displays various shades, what process did you follow to mould into this role, as an actor?
Generally, as a person, when you have undergone a lot in your life and experienced a lot of pain, it makes your journey of seeing this character through easier. I think that has helped me.
When Mahesh Bhatt Saab took me for my first film (Jism), the only thing he and Manoj – whilst working face-to-face with me in Satyameva Jayate – told me that “Your eyes, even though you’re smiling, carry a lot of pain.” That pain really helps with the process and I agree with him.
As an actor, I think one must draw from their experiences when there is nowhere else to draw from and I’m a learner. I learn every day.
When you’re working with somebody like Manoj Bajpayee – who carries credibility and stature – I feed off him.
Just like him, I feed off of everyone, even newcomers – like Aisha Sharma (the main actress of Satyameva Jayate). Everyone teaches me something and help me with my process.
In the movie, you say that corruption is a new religion in India. How do you feel Satyameva Jayate will address the roots of corruption in society?
Satyameva Jayate is meant to entertain and not to educate. But what it does by the end of it, is make you aware. It just raises questions and I think, that’s what a film should do.
The film should raise questions when you walk out saying, “I knew India was corrupt but to this level? Is this what happens?” These questions are raised in the film and through the characters.
It’s important to start a dialogue, raise questions and make a statement: These things are more important.
The line “Ab Duniya Mein Koi Bhi Mard Yeh Taana Nahin Marega, ‘Tune Choodiya Pehni Hai Kya?’” Is quite powerful. How does this dialogue (if at all) reflect today’s society?
I remember there was an action sequence and I told the film’s director Milap Zaveri about how whilst the action was fantastic, an emotion was needed to drive the action.
After Milap went for a walk, within five minutes he came back and said “I’ve got a line” and that is how the dialogue was discovered.
He is so talented and respects women himself, that this line came about and said “John, this is my favourite line in the film. Now, you can put it out there the way you want to.”
I think women are unsafe in India, particularly. This dialogue resonates with the female audience that says “Hey, listen I’m not safe and sometimes I feel that I’m going to be disrobed without being touched.”
Sometimes a woman might also feel ‘I just want to get up and slap that guy’ well my character does it for her!
I feel Satyameva Jayate will have even a stronger woman audience.
It’s interesting you say that because even when Hindi swear words are uttered, they often revolve around mothers and sisters?
Society and education have a lot to do with it, which is why I feel it is important for children to see the movie.
By default, Satyameva Jayate has become an aspirational film in today’s society. One must see this film not because we want ticket sales, but because it has become the need of the hour.
We’ve frequently seen you in action-oriented roles. When can we see you in more light-hearted or romantic roles?
I would love to do a comedy and I’m hoping that I get a film which will make me and people laugh.
I believe the toughest genre to do is a comedy because it is not easy to make people laugh. I’m looking for that. Hopefully, when I find that project I’ll jump up to do it.
Listen to Our interview with John Abraham here!
Since action seems to be your forte, are you afraid to step out of your comfort zone?
I have done all kinds of films, I’ve attempted every genre possible.
But I do agree that an actor becomes a prisoner of his own image and I definitely have no aspirations to stay in a particular slot.
I want to explore and do different things. I want to enjoy the kind of films I’m doing. Most importantly, I want to be a part of good stories and that is what the audience gets influenced by.
Directed by Milap Milan Zaveri and produced by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar and Nikkhil Advani, Satyameva Jayate also stars Manoj Bajpayee, Aisha Sharma and Amruta Khanvilkar.
The film releases nationwide on 15th August and is distributed by Rising Star Entertainment in the UK.
