Bollywood actor and film producer John Abraham, renowned for breaking conventions in the Indian film world, recently shared with us about the struggles he went through in the early days of his career. Even after being rejected post-debut, John attributes his perseverance and visionary approach to his enduring success.
In a recent interview with IANS, John highlighted that he has always been more concerned about the future than reminiscing about the past. Doing so, he claimed, made him overcome initial failures and optimize future prospects.
"Your last innings make you as good as that. Therefore, you need to look ahead. Certainly, it is important for the film industry to know, and for the audience to know your body of work. But you as an individual need to look ahead. It's up to the audience to look at your body of work," he said to IANS.
He also emphasized the need to keep refining one's body of work, emphasizing the need for variety in roles and experiences.
"A lot of people, when they look at my filmography, they say, 'You are not a one-dimensional actor. You have done a 'No Smoking', you have done a 'Garam Masala', you have also done a 'Force'. So, I have done all kinds of genres and that's the important thing.". You have to try all genres. Am I good at doing everything? No. Am I learning with every movie? The answer is yes. I learn with every movie, I learn with every director and grow," John said.
Most recently spotted in The Diplomat, John juggles a few roles—actor, producer, businessman, and sports fan. He is the owner of Indian Super League football club NorthEast United and has supported critically acclaimed movies such as Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe. He also has a deep passion for motorcycles, a completely different interest.
When asked how he balances his numerous obligations and deals with the setbacks and triumphs of each, John confessed that it is not always straightforward.
"It is hard when your football side loses, and it is hard when your film does not do well," he explained. "But it is life, you have to realize, and that is something sport teaches you is how to lose gracefully. So, if your film has not done well, you have to accept that first. If your football side has not done well, you have to accept that and say, 'Okay, we have lost. No issue. We will come back stronger, and we will fight'."
Offering words of motivation, John recalled how the early industry response didn’t define him.
“I was written off after my first film. But, here I’m for 21 years and counting. So, who has got me till here? My audience. My critics may have said something, the film trade may have said something, my producers may have said something or my directors may have said something. But only they have managed to hold onto me are my viewers. They told me, 'No, we are not releasing you. We are going to hold on to you'. I am very thankful to my viewers," he added.
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