Johns turning point films

Certain incidents in the real life change you completely as a person. Did Kabul Express in Afghanistan and Water at the Oscars change your perception of filming for Goal?
No. Not at all! Water has been a benchmark film for me just like Jism and Dhoom were. All these films have been a turning point for me in a lot more ways than one. I have managed to do a balance of what you call a commercial cinema and a different kind of cinema. If I do a Babul and Salaam-E-Ishq, I also do Water and No Smoking And after Goal, I'm doing a Nagesh Kukunoor film. So the idea is that I want people to know that if it's a John Abraham film, there is bound to be something different. Even if it's commercial, I want it to be commercially different. As far as Goal is concerned, I want the youth to follow sports and I want to be the face of that particular sport in my country, be it football, athletics or anything.

You've worked with Arshad Warsi before in Kabul Express. How do you get along with him?
Arshad is more of a friend than a co-star. We behave like children when we are with each other. If we have a squabble, we will pull each other's hair. If we have a problem, we will fire one another. He is a proper prankster and entertains everyone on the sets. Arshad and I share a strange chemistry and I think he is one of my best co-stars and a superb guy.

You will be seen with Bipasha Basu after three years. Madhoshi was your last release together. Have you both taken a deliberate step of not doing many films together?
No. We were not offered anything great together. Bipasha is in great shape right now, the best shape of her life. That's primarily the reason why she was offered the role of a physiotherapist in Goal and I would want to shed light on that this is not a romantic film but a sports film. And even though this is film based on football, Bipasha has a very pivotal role to play.

Goal is a film centred on football. Don't you think that it will appeal to the audiences more in the U.K than in India?
That's exactly what the idea is. We are making sure that the film appeals to the audiences in India. The idea is that if John Abraham rides a bike and if the youth can ride a bike, why can't they play football if John can play? I want football to be recognised in India and our country represents it globally. I've struggled very hard on this game here. I've got shin splints, hurt myself but still tried to push it to the limit to make sure that I get things right. I've done a couple of stunts which kids are going to enjoy when they watch the film. I've made sure that there was no double used for me and my legs. I've done everything myself. So, what you will see in this film is only John Abraham and not his double. I hope every Indian will fell proud after watching Goal.

Describe your experience working with Vivek Agnihotri and Boman Irani.
They are both different in their respective fields. Boman is my co-star and is a darling. Interestingly, you will be shocked to know that Boman Irani is very distantly related to me because my mother is an Irani and so is Boman. He has a positive energy and is fun on the sets and its great working with him. Vivek, my director, has an amazing shot taking abilities. He is a little easy going, and that's where we clash sometimes because he is pretty cool and chilled out about things, whereas I am not. But he doesn't let that get to him. And finally, if the film works, all credit should go to Vivek.

The grapevine hears that the music of Goal is to be launched at the IIFA Awards in Yorkshire next month. Is it true?
I have no idea about the music launch at the IIFA Awards in Yorkshire, but let me tell you that the music of Goal is brilliant. It's superb, it's outstanding and I was taken by surprise when I heard it. I said that this cannot be Goal. It was more than we asked for. It's the best music in a long time.

What John thinks of Bollywood now reached international status....read on

Prev | Next