Star Power

He might have lied for love innumerable times in a movie,but when asked if he will tell a lie to girlfriend Bipasha Basu,John Abraham confesses,“I will get caught instantly if I do”. His co-star in the movie Jhootha Hi Sahi,Raghu Ram,instantly adds,“people do lie,especially when they are married”. The two were in town with actress Pakhi for the promotion of the director Abbas Tyrewala film that will release on October 22. The stars hopped from The Taj to Gitanjali Diamonds in Manimajra and DT Cinema Mall in IT Park.

A romcom written by Pakhi — who is also Tyrewala’s wife — the movie marks her acting and scriptwriting debut. While the role required her to shed eight kgs,several drafts of the movie were revised before the final version of the script was ready. “I had auditioned for Meghna’s role in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,” says Pakhi,adding that John Abraham was her first choice for the movie. “The story revolves around Siddharth,who has this secret hotline to the heart of the girl he loves. He can read her deepest thoughts,know her every emotion and manipulate her every choice. All he has to do is lie a little,” says Pakhi. Abraham adds that he has a “Clark Kent effect in the film”. He states,“Sid is too shy to approach any girl. Guys are a shy lot and women can be difficult to woo.”

While the movie was titled 1-800-Love initially,Abraham states that the change was made because “it was way too American for an Indian film title”. With no stunts to perform,the actor states that the role was a difficult one,but director Tyrewala gave him encouragement. “It is a commercial script and I am an Abbas fan. Moreover,whether the film works or not,I feel we should experiment from time to time,” says Abraham,who is also part of Race 2 and Desi Boys,a sequel to Dostana. “Abhishek Bachchan has sort of become my life partner after Dostana,” he jokes. On a more serious note,he reveals how he was conscious of his body and acting. “My predecessors have left an everlasting impression on Bollywood,that models are mannequins and cannot act. Interestingly,that was an era when Bollywood loved over-the-top drama and now people enjoy understated acts. So,I fit in.” Being comfortable with one’s body is important though. “In Dostana I told Karan Johar that I feel like a meat shop,but he said if you have the body,flaunt it,don’t apologise for it,” says Abraham,who hates the ‘size zero’ tag. The actor will also make an appearance in the MTV Roadies finale,with Raghu Ram in tow.

For now,the trio promise that the movie “has the most unbelievable and beautiful proposal in the climax”.