Actor John Abraham has looked back at his nearly 23-year Bollywood journey with rare candour, saying he has faced relentless criticism since his debut in 2003 — and that he has learned to tune out the noise rather than play the publicity game.
Speaking at a recent SCREEN Masterclass, John opened up about being an “outsider,” navigating early skepticism, and building strong working equations with some of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars.
“I’ve probably been criticised the most”
John didn’t sugarcoat his experience. He said he has been among the most criticised actors in the industry since the beginning, especially because he didn’t come from a film family.
He also pointed out that, in his view, it wasn’t common for “outsiders” to sustain long careers — a remark he framed in the context of the 2000s ecosystem and how tough it was to break through.
No publicist, no PR stories: “I don’t feed narratives”
One of the most striking takeaways from the session: John said he has never hired a publicist.
He explained that he doesn’t “feed stories” into the media cycle because it can make an actor vulnerable, even if it comes at a cost in visibility. John’s argument was simple: he’d rather let the work speak than manufacture perception.
In today’s Bollywood climate — where PR narratives often run parallel to film campaigns — that stance stands out.
“Not competing, but complementing”
John also addressed the industry’s obsession with rivalry. His mindset, he said, is to train the mind to believe you’re not competing, you’re complementing.
That approach, according to him, has helped him collaborate smoothly with leading male co-stars, including names like Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Abhishek Bachchan.
And yes — John even joked about having kissed Abhishek on screen, using humour to underline comfort and camaraderie on sets.
What’s next: comedy, No Smoking 2 — and multiple big-project reports
While reflecting on his past, John also signalled where he wants to go next.
Comedy is on his wishlist
John said he’s keen to explore comedy, a genre he feels he hasn’t fully tapped yet — but only if the script is genuinely strong.
No Smoking 2? “If it ever happens”
He also expressed interest in a No Smoking 2 — but framed it as something that would depend entirely on whether the right sequel actually comes together.
Upcoming projects (reported / in talks)
On the work front, John has been linked to several big projects in entertainment reporting:
- A revival of the Force action franchise (often reported as Force 3 in development)
- A modern Mahabharata adaptation, where he is reported to be in talks to play Duryodhana
- A Rohit Shetty biographical project inspired by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, which Shetty has publicly indicated is being filmed
The Swadesi Take
John Abraham’s masterclass comments land because they’re not “viral for the sake of it.” The core thread is consistent: no PR machinery, no manufactured rivalry, and a focus on process. In an industry built on perception, he’s selling something rarer — clarity.
By – Sonali