~*Sushant's Bollywood Journey#19*~ - Page 55

Sushant Singh Rajput is all set to play M.S. Dhoni in the latter's biopic. While emulating a person on screen is always challenging, it is more so for Sushant since Dhoni is very much a part of contemporary cricket. Talking about playing the star batsman on screen, Sushant said, "I have to first accept the fact that the character exists. And exists very actively. Then there is the dilemma of how to interpret him. Should I imitate him? After all, people have their own very strong visual impressions of his body language, his speech, the way he talks, walks and sits. Thereafter I have to search internally for inputs."

What made him agree to the role? "The entire procedure is intangible. There is no logic for why I say yes' to a role. I just react instinctively to a part. I said yes to Dhoni not because I wanted to play a phenomenal cricketer, but because I could relate to his life. After watching me in Byomkesh Bakshy my family said they forgot that I was on screen. They could only see the character. I'd like audiences to say the same when they see me as Dhoni. Ankita, too, said she fell in love with me again after the film. I hope she feels the same after watching me play Dhoni."

Mumbai: John Abraham, who shares a great bond with Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is happy with the film being made on him and thinks actor Sushant Singh Rajput will do a great job.

"M S Dhoni: The Untold Story" is an upcoming biopic directed by Neeraj Pandey. "He (Dhoni) is a friend and I am glad a film is being made on Mahi's life. I am happy about it. I respect the vision of the director," John told PTI.

The 29-year-old "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" actor will essay the role of one of India's most successful captain, while Kiara Advani will feature as his wife Sakshi Singh Dhoni.

"I respect the director and the actor for doing this film. I am sure Sushant will be fantastic and will do good work," the "Madras Cafe" star said.

John, 42, is currently working on "Force 2" and is busy shooting in Budapest (Hungary) along with Sonakshi Sinha, who plays a RAW agent.

"It's second day of the shoot. Sonakshi (Sinha) is a lovely girl... She is hard working and dedicated."

While "Force" was helmed by Nishikant Kamat of "Drishyam" fame, Abhinay Deo will direct the sequel that is expected to hit the screens in May next year. Meanwhile, John is happy with the response his last release "Welcome Back" has got at the box office.

The movie was a sequel to the 2007 comedy "Welcome" directed by Anees Bazmee.