John making news for good or bad reason

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Posted: 18 years ago

Interview : John making news for good or bad reason

You've to pay for being a celebrity. And John Abraham would absolutely agree to that. There has been appreciation and criticism pouring on him at the same instant. While with Deepa Mehta's 'Water' he is scaling to new heights, the flak from the industry people and media is boggling his mind. John is always hogging the limelight for good or bad reason. Here's a chat with him on his inside view on the things.

Excerpts from the Interview:

How did you feel being appreciated for your performance in Deepa Mehta's Water?

It's a beautiful film but I didn't wanted to go ahead speaking about it. Indian audience hasn't seen the film yet but the Canada movie buffs have liked the film very much. The reaction and response was awesome. It was an unfamiliar concept for them and they were taken aback. I really felt proud and great that I could reach to global audience with a film on an Indian theme like Water.

It has given you the international platform. Did you bag any offers from there?

I don't want to tom-tom telling about them but I've received offers. I wouldn't like to talk about them but I'm considering some. But until now I've no plans of doing any international films.

But you've bagged Deepa Mehta's Komagata Maru isn't it?

That's true but dates are being finalised now. She needs Amitabh Bachchan for the other role.

What is your take on your career so far?

There's improvement. I'm able to dub for Kaal and Viruddh in a day and that's great. Mr Bachchan and Bipasha have been very supportive. Mr Bachchan agreed to work with me when big heroines would reject me. Rather Mr Bachchan is like a family for me today. I would say that the industry has been very patient with me and I'm happy about that.

Do you think that you're being criticized a lot, especially from the people of the film industry?

I take life as a learning experience and the asthma attack, typhoid and the motorbike accident are only personal setbacks. I've sensed the resistance towards my well-being and me. People who are nice to my face are bitching about me behind my back. I know my colleagues have been spreading rumours about me. I've no idea what has led to the animosity from some people!

Your relationship with Bipasha is also constantly under scanner.

As long as we are together nothing matters. Bipasha is a good girl, very stable, and great company and I'm happy with her. I hope people find some different job to do!

What do you have to say about the rumours about Mallika Sherawat and Salman Khan during the Rockstar concerts?

They are rumors and surely won't have a long life. Since these rumours are absolutely untrue I wonder why there have been no denials from other quarters, I've been busy working and did not had the time or opportunity to deny these rumours. The fact is that it's harming everyone's reputation. Things were written about my misbehavior during the concert tour. I was made the whipping boy of the concert tours. I don't know why the truth never came out. People who accompanied me were completely disconnected with me. I guess some things are better left unsaid. I don't know why no one is speaking up for me. But that's okay. I'm happy that the audience connected with me.

What are the films that you're currently working on?

I'm doing Nikhil Advani's 'Salaam-E-Ishq 'with Vidya Balan. It is a different pairing and I'm enjoying working with Vidya. There's Sriram Raghavan's romantic comedy Happy Birthday. I'm paired with Aishwarya and it's an interesting. I'm also doing a film with a new director Babar to be shot in Baghdad. I'm choosing very carefully as I need that one huge film in my career.

What are the new endorsements?

I've just signed on as UN ambassador for drugs and crime. Also I'm the sole ambassador for Diet Pepsi in India.