Page 78 - July 2018 Magazine

joHn abraHam:

not afraid of

failure so i can

take risks

everyone in the distribution chain makes money. But at the same
time, I want to explore subjects difficult to make because I’m not
afraid of failure so I can take risks. I’ll take full responsibility for the
failure of any film made under my banner and if I’m successful, I’d
like people to know that I went with my gut instinct. I’m prepared for
the bouquets with the brickbats and here, I got the bouquets.”
You did but after a hard-won battle against Prernaa. Has the
experience put you off production?
“Not at all, I also discovered that there are good people who back
honesty and credibility. This has empowered me to back the kind of
subjects I want to make even though I know I will face the regular
creative questions with them.”
For two years, you hardly accepted any acting assignments and now
We asked John Abraham about ‘Parmanu’..... We understand you are on an over-drive. You’ve wrapped up ‘Satyamev Jayate’,
that it was a difficult journey but your confidence and conviction in the film seems to signed another Nikkhil Advani production, ‘Batla House’, kicked off
have eventually paid off… RAW and then there’s a film with Rensil D’Silva based on the book,
“Yes, today I feel vindicated, validated and relieved. I was clear about what I was ‘Moryaa Re: The Ganpati Murders...’
making and that I wanted the film to release, come hail or storm because ‘Parmanu’ “First, let me clarify that I’m doing a film with Rensil which should
was a special baby. The odds were stacked against us, we had just 10 days to promote happen by the middle of next year and I’m making a web series
the film which released during the IPL semis and finals, just two weeks after ‘Raazi’ based on this book but that’s not with Rensil. Rensil’s film is a
and a week before ‘Veerey Di Wedding’. Had it had a smoother release, we might beautiful human story, around two years of research has already
have done better business going by trade estimates, but I’m grateful to the media and gone into it and anything that comes out of that will be special. ‘RAW’
the audience for their support. It’s so humbling when people say it’s my best film as and ‘Batla House’ are probably the most challenging films I’m doing,
a producer and my best performance as an actor that at times I don’t know how to the subjects were too good to be missed.”
react.” What’s coming from your production house?
When you look back, what was the darkest phase in this journey? “I’m co-producing ‘Batla House’ with Nikkhil. After a long time I’ve
“When I realised this was a battle I had to justifiably fight alone. I’m a realist, I don’t found a friend, confidante, producer, director and now a partner in
expect anything from anyone, somebody had to raise their voice and I did. I’m thankful Nikkhil. I wanted to extend my association with him in every count
to the High Court and the judge for ruling in my favour, ensuring ‘Parmanu’ saw the because we’re very happy to be with each other. We are exploring
light of the day.” other ideas too but for the moment there’s just ‘Batla House’ and two
What’s happening with your erstwhile partner Prernaa Arora? web series.”
“I have no idea and I don’t think the subject merits a discussion.” From the films you are doing, one gets the impression that you have
This was the first time you collaborated with someone who was not from the industry. gone back to action?
Has the experience made you wary as far as choosing production partners is “Most of the films I’m doing right now are high-voltage dramas with a
concerned? bit of action. Whether I do action or not, the image of an action hero
“Of course it has. But I am collaborating on ‘RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter’ as an actor stays and I’m happy with that. There’s a huge vacuum in the kind of
with Ajay Kapoor who was my production partner on ‘Parmanu’ too and stuck by me to action I do and I want to fill it with an intelligent emotional action film.
the end, which I really appreciate. We, as an industry, run to where the money is. But We’re working on scripts. There’s a fantastic action series but that’s
after my experience I will tell my colleagues to make sure they know exactly where the just an idea now.”
money comes from and more importantly, where it doesn’t come from. I’m a beggar What about taking the ‘Force’ franchise forward?
for appreciation and money is just a by-product of the journey.” “Vipul (Shah) and I have been communicating regularly. Right now
As a producer you’ve always gambled with films like ‘Vicky Donor’, ‘Madras Café’ and he’s busy with his film and we’ll know better once he is back. I want
now ‘Parmanu’, none of them safe commercial entertainers... to take Force forward but it will depend on how we structure our deal
“As a producer, I’ve always aimed to marry content with commerce and ensure that from here on.”

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