 | « Back to article | Print this article |
John Abraham: A Force to be reckoned with
John Abraham's upcoming film Force is a remake of the Tamil film Khaka Khaka. It is directed by Nishikant Kamath and also stars Genelia D'Souza. John proved that he has the best butt in the industry by showing it off in Dostana, and in Force, he wants to prove that he has one of the best bodies in the industry.
John speaks about the hard work that went into getting a body like his inspiration, Sylvester Stallone, and who he thinks has the best bod in the business.
What did you do to get this chiselled body?
I started shooting for Force more than a year ago. Nishikant Kamath gave me a brief and eight months to build my body and get into a shape never seen before in Hindi cinema. I took him very seriously and my trainer Vinod Channa trained me. Without his help, it would not have been possible.
I've had to gain weight and lose weight with every film. Nishikant said 'John, I want a body that is international, something like Sylvester Stallone.' I trained at odd hours, sometimes after 12 at night, sometimes in the morning at 4 and 5 am. I ate about 35 eggs a day and followed a strict diet.
Is it difficult to maintain a perfect body?
It is difficult to maintain this body because I have a tendency to lose weight. I have lost around 10 to 12 kilos in three-four months. It is difficult for me to gain weight. It took me about nine months to put on 10-12 kilos of pure muscle by just a high protein intake.
'I am not married'
You are working in a remake like Ajay Devgn.
Singham is a remake of a Tamil film and Force is also a remake of Khaka Khaka. It was not planned that we would do remakes at the same time, but, yes, Singham did well and Dabangg did very well and we hope Force also does really well.
Tell us about your character.
In the original Tamil film, Suriya was a cop; in this film I play a cop in the narcotics bureau. I chose to play the part because it sends out a message to the young not to do drugs.
My character's name is Yashvardhan. I loved the original film and that is the reason I did this film.
A pandit said that you are married?
When I entered the industry, people said I am engaged. After that they said I was married, so let me tell you I am not married. I am happy.
'Force is my first truly commercial Bollywood hardcore masala film'
What was it like working with Nishikant Kamath?
Nishikant Kamath is an award winning director. He got an award for Dombivili Fast. Mumbai Meri Jaan was such a beautiful film and I am sure Force will also be appreciated.
You do very different kinds of films.
I attempt very experimental films -- No Smoking, Zinda, Kabul Express, Jhootha Hi Sahi are all experimental films to a large extent.
Force is my first truly commercial Bollywood hardcore masala film and that's why I want it to do well. All the new directors come to me because John Abraham is willing to take a risk. People ask me why I take such risks as experiments lead to failure, but I am not scared, I am very secure and would like to experiment even more.
'Jacqueline was bold in Murder 2'
Who is the most beautiful actress in the industry? Who is a bold actress?
All the actresses are beautiful. I think Katrina, Deepika, Bipasha, Kareena, they are all so beautiful and attractive.
If you have a film like Jism, Raaz, or Murder, the actress needs to be bold. Jacqueline was bold in Murder 2 because the film demanded that she be bold and she was and she did a brilliant job
Who has the best body?
Ours is a visual medium so it is necessary that every body is super fit, and everybody is super fit today. But I think Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan -- they all have beautiful bodies. We have some actors who have been in the industry for 20 years and so I must give them credit for looking so good and maintaining their beautiful bodies.
After Force you decide whether I am fit enough to match up to these actors. I have been in the industry for just seven or eight years and if I can maintain this body for another eight years, then I will have made a mark.
'Your body should be symmetrical'
What advice would you give other actors?
All the actors have good bodies but I think they all need to work on their legs. So I would like to advice all the actors, including myself, to go back to the gym and work out on their legs which are very important. In our industry we think if you have great arms you have a great body but according to me, you need to have a proportionate body, your body should be symmetrical.
What are your forthcoming films?
After Force I am doing Housefull 2, and then I am doing Race 2 and Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala in which I may sing a song. I have a beautiful film called I Me Aur Main which will release early next year.