Photo: easterneye

When John Abraham had decided to become a producer with Vicky Donor back in 2012, several had seen the move with an eye of skepticism. Madras Cafe was the second film he backed -- this time in a dual capacity of an actor and a producer. While the film worked very well with the audience and critics, it also made people aware of the actor’s sensibilities as a businessman and a content creator. Today, with about six-seven films produced under his banner, the actor is considered to be one of the most revered in the business. His next as an actor and producer is Batla House, which revolves around a real-life incident that occurred in Delhi.

When asked how he zeroes in on the kind of films he’d like to back, John told us, “I’m a dispassionate producer. I back a film that’s distinct and very special. That’s my company’s USP. Also, my space as an actor has changed. I’ve matured a lot more in the last two years than I did in the 13 years before that. I like challenges; doing something more than the usual. I now want to attack scripts and go for those monologues in four pages. I want to crack those. I don’t think I would have done this a decade ago but today, I think I am more prepared. I have found a happy space. Time and experience make you feel this way. When you take criticism constructively, it helps. At one point in my life, I was rebellious towards it, but I’m fine with it today. I try to use the criticism today to do something better with my life and work. I’ve lasted in an industry of film families because I could take criticism well. I turned producer to back films that I believe in. People can have reason to not put their faith in me but I work hard to gain their faith all the time. I have worked from that low benchmark and I have come to a point where I can say that apna time aa gaya.”