While Bollywood often thrives on competition and comparisons, John Abraham says he never saw himself as part of any race. Speaking at a recent event, the actor reflected on his journey in the film industry, the criticism he faced as an outsider and why he believes in working with co-stars rather than competing against them.
John Abraham entered Bollywood in 2003, a time he describes as challenging and lonely. According to him, there were barely any outsiders in the industry back then. He pointed out that before his entry, only actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar had successfully made it without film backgrounds. John believes he faced intense criticism from the very beginning and feels that few others from his generation went through similar scrutiny.
Instead of reacting to negativity, he says he chose to stay focused on his work. He described himself as someone who kept his head down and looked straight ahead, without getting distracted by outside noise or expectations. John also shared that he has never hired a publicist or planted stories in the media to shape his image. While he admitted that staying away from publicity can sometimes make one vulnerable, he believes people understand his integrity and know where he stands.
In an industry where box office clashes and rivalries often dominate headlines, John offered a different outlook. He said he trains his mind to believe that actors are not competitors but collaborators. Over the years, he has worked with several leading men, including Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Abhishek Bachchan. He even joked about sharing a kiss with Abhishek in a film, highlighting the comfort he feels around his male co-stars. According to John, this ease translates well on screen and helps build strong professional relationships.
He also acknowledged the trolling he faced early in his career but said he preferred staying silent and focused rather than responding. Over time, he carved a niche for himself, especially in action-driven roles, while maintaining a relatively private life off screen.
John was last seen in Tehran, directed by Arun Gopalan, where he played special officer Rajeev Kumar seeking revenge after the 2012 Delhi bombing. The film also starred Manushi Chhillar and released last year. He also unveiled the teaser of the documentary Oslo: A Tale Of Promise, which he is backing, at the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa.
For John Abraham, the journey has never been about beating others, it has always been about staying true to himself.
