John Abraham on working with fresh talent: ‘I prefer simplicity over starry attitudes’

John Abraham has steadily ventured into film production, carving a niche by supporting fresh talent. Unlike many established producers, he has consistently backed newcomers, launching stars like Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam with his debut production 'Vicky Donor', and later introducing Sharvari Wagh in 'Vedaa'. His approach reflects a willingness to break away from industry norms.
Handling Newcomers and Their Entourages
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, the actor discussed how he handles the large entourages that many newcomers bring to Bollywood. He noted that many newcomers come with little baggage, making it easier to work with them. John emphasized that he always respects his director’s decisions and does not enter projects with preconceived notions about casting film children or outsiders.
Equal Treatment for All Actors
He explained that he treats all actors equally, focusing solely on whether they fit the role, and does not engage in discussions about outsiders or industry insiders. However, he finds it challenging when talent arrives with large entourages, describing such situations as troublesome. He compared having a big entourage-including publicists, agents, media managers, and scriptwriters-to managing a football team, which he already has in his personal life and does not want to replicate professionally. He made it clear that such large groups should stay away to avoid complications.
Preference for Small Teams and Fresh Faces
John further revealed that he doesn’t have a big team around him because he prefers to operate in a very small way. He expects his colleagues to work similarly, and that is all he asks for as a producer. When working on someone else’s film, he believes it is the producer’s prerogative to decide how much entourage to accommodate. He mentioned that newcomers are generally more suited to his style until they become influenced by success. After a film or two, when success comes to them, they tend to move on to different paths, prompting him to seek out new talent again.
Latest Work
On the work front, John Abraham’s latest appearance is in 'The Diplomat', featuring a cast that includes Sharib Hashmi, Sadia Khateeb, and several others.