One should be prepared for brickbats: John Abraham

Force 2 actor John Abraham talks about the pros and cons of stardom. He says that though he might be famous, he lives like a middle-class guy.

While some actors may find it difficult to handle fame, John Abraham feels there are “more pros (to stardom) than cons”.

John Abraham will next be seen in Force 2. (Waseem Gashroo/HT Photo)

The actor says he enjoys the appreciation he has received for his performances in films. However, he adds that “one should also be prepared for the brickbats”.

“Being a star is also a mindset. It’s all in your head. I don’t think I am a big star. I live like a middle-class guy. If I have to have tea at a stall, I go ahead and do it. I don’t need bodyguards around me. That’s probably because I am good enough to handle 20 people,” he says, laughing.

Watch: Trailer of Force 2

The actor, who has carved a niche for himself in the action genre with movies such as Force (2011) and Rocky Handsome, feels that Bollywood action films do not match up to action movies in the West.

Watch: Action sequences in Hollywood films

The Dishoom actor adds that India needs to “buck up” when it comes to action movies. “We have the best action directors working for Hollywood films. Action is not about performing backflips or saving a girl. It is about having the attitude of an action star. To do action, you need to have guts. If you don’t like this genre, you don’t get there (achieve success). Very few of us get the chance to become action heroes. I’m fortunate to be in this space. There’s a huge vacuum here and I enjoy this space,” he says.