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When John Abraham felt like Spiderman
John Abraham obviously thinks his upcoming film New York is well worth the effort he put into it because the actor put in some more when he limped into a press conference promoting the film.
"This is because of Laxmipati Balaji," John says, pointing to his crutches. "We were shooting for Hook Ya Crook and he bowled a yoker. That broke my ankle. This cast has been on for 15 days and I'll have to continue wearing it for another month at least."
He spoke to Nithya Ramani about his alleged link-up with his New York co-star Katrina Kaif and his amazing stunts in the film.
What is New York about?
It is a commercial thriller. It's very different from the way films have been mounted in India. It is about three friends whose lives change after a certain incident.
I play Sam, a typical American jock, till a sequence of events changes his life. The film takes a more serious turn then.
'It really doesn't matter how a film fares at the box office'
Director Kabir Khan's debut film Kabul Express didn't do well in the box office. Didn't that make you apprehensive about taking up his next film?
No. It really doesn't matter how a film fares at the box office. It is important that I love the script and the person I am working with. Kabir put in as much faith in me as I put in him.
While shooting for Kabul Express, I remember telling him that he will win a National Award for it, and he did. I feel he will win an award for New York too. And I can't be wrong (smiles).
What do you love about New York?
When I read the script, I felt the script was wow! When I read about my role, I went wow again! But when I read the script again, I realised it was a tough role and wondered if I would be able to carry it off.
By the grace of God I think I have and now, it is up to the audience to decide whether I have. Neil (Nitin Mukesh), Katrina and Irrfan (Khan) have done a fabulous job too.
'Katrina has surprised everybody with her performance in this film'
What kind of research have you done for your role?
Kabir has done enough research. My character needed extra research and we worked on it. I read a few parts of the Quran to get a closer look at their teachings.
How was it working with Neil, Katrina and Irrfan?
It was fun working with them. Neil is like my little brother. I am very protective about him. He has done a fantabulous job here.
I am a huge fan of Irrfan Khan and it is always fun working with him. You enjoy watching him and when you actually get to work with him, you learn a lot.
Katrina has surprised everybody with her performance in this film. She has done a fabulous job.
'It's probably the Parsi side of me -- I am unfazed by everything'
How do you react to all the rumours that constantly follow you? The recent one is your tiff with Salman Khan because of your alleged link up with Katrina.
Honestly, I don't give it a second's thought. It is beyond me. It doesn't matter to me at all. I am completely unaffected. It's probably the Parsi side of me -- I am unfazed by everything. I just carry on with life.
Is this why you didn't go on Salman's 10 Ka Dum show with Katrina and Neil?
I wasn't invited for the show, so I didn't go. Katrina and Neil are the principal cast of New York, so they went. I am happy they represented my film. Neil and Katrina went for 10 Ka Dum, Irrfan and I will probably go for Hans Baliye (laughs).
You have done the stunts in New York yourself. Take us through the most memorable one.
The most memorable stunt was coming down a 46-storey building from the outside. We were shooting during the presidential elections and Barack Obama was passing below. So I was stuck midway for two hours. It's not fun being stuck on the 20th floor with wind blowing through these buildings. I felt like Spiderman!
Kabir said you were the fitness guru on the sets.
I made sure everyone ate the right kind of stuff. It is very important to be disciplined, and I tried keeping them as disciplined as possible. But maybe I wasn't disciplined myself.
'Audiences can smell a good film'
What next?
David Dhawan's laugh riot Hook Ya Crook. That's all for this year. Maybe I'll do some mountain climbing and break more bones.
Reportedly, you're not doing Vibhu Puri's Chenab Gandhi.
Yes, I'm not. I will not give any reasons.
What about Andy Armstrong's American Empire?
I'm not doing American Empire yet. I've just got the script.
What should people expect from New York?
Honestly, audiences today are very smart. They can smell a good film. No matter what I say, how good or bad a film is, it is not going to affect them. If they want to go for a film, they will.
I believe that New York is a good film and hope that people watch it and feel the same. I am confident that they will like it. The music of the film is great. Hai Junoon is doing very well.