The New Role Call

John Abrahams rise as an action hero post-Force could be a blessing in disguise for Desi Boyz as well.

For a long time,John Abraham was seen as an urban hero,thanks to his stylish looks and chiselled body. He flexed his muscles and bared his torso but only on the serene beaches of Miami (read Dostana) or Goa (read Jism). His films too mostly catered to an audience which are termed as the multiplex crowd. However,in Bollywood,it takes just one film to change equations. And the recent blockbuster,Force,seems to have done it for Abraham.

The actor has now joined the action brigade along with the likes of Salman Khan,Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar. The two main reasons for doing Force were that I wanted to get into action films and to establish my credentials in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar belt, says the actor,who is currently enjoying mass appeal. His next,Desi Boyz a story of two boys facing the woes of recession will be aimed at a mass audience as well. It is directed by Rohit Dhawan,son of veteran filmmaker David Dhawan. Rohit carries his fathers legacy in the comic genre forward with this November 25 release. Ask Abraham if the success of Force will help his next,and he quickly retorts,When your time is good,all your movies work. Even your worst film becomes a blockbuster.

With formula films doing massive business at the box office,Abraham couldnt have wished for a better time for the tide to turn in his favour. It was on producer Vipul Shah and director Nishikant Kamats insistence that he took the plunge and he is happy that he hasnt disappointed with the film. I always had a very fixed fan following who watched my movies. But after a while in the industry,you want to grow as an actor and also want your fan base to grow, says the actor.

Story continues below this ad

Manoj Desai,film exhibitor and owner of G7 multiplex in Mumbai,also believes that Force is Abrahams biggest opener to date. John has always done well with the urban crowd,but it was nice to see people at our theatre whistling for him,something that is mostly reserved for Salman Khan or Ajay Devgn, says Desai.

Now that he has established himself as an action hero,Abraham obviously doesnt want to get rid of the tag. His upcoming movies such as Race 2 and Shootout At Wadala will make sure that he remains in the consciousness of the people. Shootout is more like Force,whereas Race 2 will be more slick action. However,this does not mean that he will neglect his urban fan base. I will continue to feature in movies catering to them,but the focus will be on the new fan base that I have now achieved, says Abraham.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

H-1B $100,000 entry fee explained: Who pays, who’s exempt, and what’s still unclear?

Explained4 hr ago

The White House's decision to impose a $100,000 entry fee on H-1B visa holders has sparked worry among Indian tech workers and students. While uncertainties remain about its implementation and exemptions, major tech companies have cautioned employees against traveling. The policy could lead to a shift towards other visa categories and potentially change the STEM immigration pipeline.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment Malayalam superstar Mohanlal to be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023