When she was an actress to reckon with in hardcore commercial films, she turned towards meaningful cinema. Now, when she has established herself as one of the youngest woman producers, she's moved on to carve a niche as the youngest woman director in Bollywood.

Pooja Bhatt has started work on her new film – PAAP – which marks her directorial debut. Pooja sounded more excited than ever before when this writer called her in Manali, to wish her the very best in her new role.

PAAP, which went on the floors on June 27 in Manali [Himachal Pradesh], stars John Abraham with newcomer Udita Goswami  Scripted by Mahesh Bhatt, the film co-stars Gulshan Grover, Mohan Agashe, Sandeep Mehta, Denzil Smith, Anupam Shyam and Anahita Uberoi.

The film is being shot in altogether 52 days – shooting in Himachal comprises of 40 days, largely in Spiti and Lahaul at altitudes of 14000 feet. The unit will return from Himachal in the first week of August. The balance shooting will be completed in September, while the release is planned in December.

Pooja Bhatt and Sujit Kumar Singh are jointly producing the film, which has music by Anu Malik and dialogue by journalist Niranjan Iyengar.

While on PAAP, Pooja Bhatt's office has clarified that neither Pooja nor anyone from Fish Eye Network [her company] had any discussion with Bipasha Basu on casting the latter for the lead role in the film, as reported by a section of the press. “The question of a higher remuneration therefore never came up,” Arun Karumbaya [Exec. Director of Fish Eye Network] states, “We always had a new face in mind.”

PAAP is a love story that develops around the hero, a cop, who, in highly unusual circumstances, meets a very beautiful girl belonging to the pristine and pure environment of the Himalayan monasteries. “It is the world of violence catching up with the non-violent environment,” Ashok adds.

A high profile relationship with Bipasha that hit the headlines. He ejected himself from the ramp and re-appeared on the reels. A model who had reached the pinnacle of his career and a wannashine actor who wants to seat himself on the coveted Bollywood throne. With a new four wheel drive and a new house where he spends only a couple of hours in a week, since he works on his resumé full of new projects. Life with a sex-goddess for a consort cannot be all candles and roses, as his services as her official bouncer too are called for. So he makes an ideal candidate for this month’s COURT MARTIAL as we try to unravel JOHN ABRAHAM ko gussa kyon aata hai.

A movie debut is known to change more than lifestyles. They change lives. How much has your life changed since ‘Jism’?

Very honestly, the people I have been working with post ‘Jism’ have been the same set of directors. ‘Aitbaar’ was a movie I signed while I was working on ‘Jism’. ‘Saaya’, I signed just on the release of ‘Jism’, and Ahmed Khan’s film was already in my kitty. Right now, I’m working with these people and their attitude towards me hasn’t changed nor has mine towards them.

But, obviously there is a lifestyle change...

Not a lifestyle change, but I do feel settled mentally. I feel a little more relaxed about the fact that I have worked in a film that has done relatively better than the others this year. For me, I don’t look forward to ‘Saaya’ or ‘Aitbaar’. It is a part of the job for me. I suffer no pre-release jitters or post-release euphoria.

You are relatively new in this arena and so are most of the directors you are working with, whether Anuraag Basu of ‘Saaya’, or Ahmed Khan, or Pooja Bhatt, who is making her directorial debut with ‘Paap’, starring you. With the exception of Vikram Bhatt, there isn’t any experienced director in your kitty.

If I have to be polite and politically correct, the so-called experienced directors have approached me with scripts which I could not see myself doing justice to. There is some amount of energy and fire in these new directors. Besides, I have done my homework to know how technically sound they are. I was a newcomer when someone put faith in me. It is not a give-and-take relationship out here, but I genuinely believe by my own experience, that working with someone new will make a difference more positive than negative.

One hears that Rajiv Rai has been at the receiving end of the chip you have developed on your shoulder; you made an unexpected display of attitude when he approached you for a film and the two of you disagreed on the remuneration he offered you for ‘Asambhav’. The ‘Tridev’ maker is said to be tremendously miffed with you.

That is not true. Yes, Rajiv Rai had approached me with his script but he was very understanding about my point of view. In fact, he gave me a clean chit and told me if my price and other modalities were not working out to my satisfaction, he would not pressurise me. After all, both of us should be comfortable with the arrangement. I have tremendous respect for him.

There is definitely a trend post ‘Raaz’. ‘Saaya’ is not a ghost story. It is a paranormal thriller. There is no indication of any ghost and it is not the surprise I need to spring on people. It is the journey of a man from being a non-believer to a believer. The intention of ‘Saaya’ is not to scare you, it is to show how much two people loved each other. I had this problem earlier convincing people that ‘Jism’ was not an erotic movie, it was an emotional film that exposes what current society is all about. Anybody who has seen the film will vouch for it.

Do you believe that your films are a depiction of reality as you see it?

Yes I do.

So women you come across are sexually aggressive enough to make moves on you?

If you ask me honestly, I believe women are more confident today, and why only single out women, I believe both men and women are sexually aggressive. Sexual language is a very subjective thing, it’s person based, not gender based. But I do believe that women are far more aware of their wants than they were in the past. They are in positions of power in the corporate world too, sometimes even more than men. So they can be heart-breakers too, and this is not some woman’s lib statement.

But have you come across these women?

I am sure moves have been made. Every model or actor has women coming upto him and telling him they find him attractive. The moves made on me are all very harmless and vegetarian, but that might be because I support the PETA campaign. I also believe it is the impression you create. As a model, when I got into the modelling industry with my big biceps etc., everyone assumed I was a himbo and people would even treat me like one. Then, when talked to me, they would realize that I wasn’t the type of guy who was available. I believe I have created an impression over the years, that any woman could just come up to me and propose to me.

Now you’re being evasive. If you are desirable then why wouldn’t they come upto you.

They do, but I think it is a little narcissistic to reveal all that they say. There are women who come up to me and say they like the way I smile or the way I look. But that does not really make a huge difference to me.

Has the adulation increased since you’ve become a film star?

Manifold. Sometimes, it is unreal. The other day, I was passing a station, there was a procession going on, and I saw one guy nudge another and say, ‘Look, John Abraham.’ I didn’t expect the masses to know me or even pronounce my name, ’cause you know as well as I do that John Abraham is a name that isn’t very Bollywood. At the end of the day, everyone wants to be known and famous, so I am just living my dreams.

Did you ever want to rechristen yourself to fit in with Bollywood?

Never, because I was John Abraham as a model, so I was already known by my name. I’ve known heroes who’ve changed their names, seen failure, and changed their names back again and seen success. At the end of the day, what’s in a name, nothing can compensate for talent. I believe the audience is very gracious; they give us actors a long rope, and yet there are actors who impose themselves on the audience, movie after movie after movie. But I am not one of them. If I know people don’t want to see me, I will graciously move out.

Did you think of the eventuality: what would happen if you did not make it at the marquee? After all, your parents are not true blue Bollywood denizens.

You know, when I was working for an ad agency and wanted to get into modelling, I did not quit my job because I wasn’t sure if I was moving in the right direction. In fact, my boss was very understanding about it. He actually encouraged me to give things a shot, and return to my job in a worst case scenario. So I had a buffer. I got into modelling, and I did it very confidently, probably because I was secure that I had a job to fall back on. When I was established, I went back to my agency boss and I didn’t even need to say anything. He just said to me, "You’re going to need a good C.A. ’cause you’re going to make a lot of money now." He had that kind of confidence in me. In the next two and half years, I gradually grew. By God’s grace, my career was never on a plateau. Then films were offered to me, Pooja’s movie ‘Jism’, specifically speaking. Then, I was like a horse with blinkers, failure was a thought that did not even cross my mind. ‘John is superb in the movie’, that’s the acronym of ‘Jism’. Movies are like a bungee jumping experience, once you take the plunge, you are not really in control. Then you enjoy the rise and intermediate fall and rise again.

Acting today is not restricted to wearing make-up and delivering your lines. It is also about endorsements, appearances, stage shows etc. Are you geared up for that kind of exposure?

I have been offered shows and world tours in the next summer. But I am not ready for it at this point in time, ’cause honestly, when we get down to brass-tacks, I am aware that ‘Jism’ and ‘Saayaa’ are both very emotional and real movies. There are no hardcore dance numbers and I would much rather dance to my own songs than anybody else’s tunes. So, it’s no shows for me for now. I was shocked to know that people who have gone on this world tour are dancing to popular music videos like ‘Kaanta lagaa...’ As far as endorsements are concerned, I say it with a heavy heart that none of the Cola companies have approached me. I have been offered a lot of other stuff, but nothing has been financially feasible from my point of view, so at this point in time, I choose to lie low. I don’t believe in over-exposure. I don’t want to be on all the shelves in all the stores. I would rather people come looking for me, than be freely available.

A lot has been written recently about your split with Bipasha and your subsequent link-up with ‘Saaya’ co-star Tara Sharma. Can you clarify the situation for the record?

I will tell you it looks like a cheap publicity ke liye kiya hua incident. I don’t know where all this is generated from. But tell you what, in my first movie, I was paired with my first co-star, so it is only natural that in the second movie, similarly the second link-up follows.

So, the first one was purely a link-up?

No. What I am saying is that this is the first time I am experiencing a situation when I am linked with Tara. To put it on record, no, I am not seeing Tara. Every actor tends to gets linked up and this is a very valid question. Also, for the record, Bipasha and I do share something very special and I am not a liar to deny it. I keep away from talking about it. It is very apparent what we share because we are very publicly seen.

What does it feel to have in your life a woman who is lusted after by almost the entire male populace of the nation?

What can I say, I am the chosen man.

What happens when men come on to her, and make passes and comments? Do you feel as if you are on a 24-hour duty as her personal protector? Does it not cause stress on the relationship as such?

Let me tell you this about Bipasha. I have the fullest confidence that she could deal with any given situation and the man creating it, befittingly, be it another star or a common man. When a woman can deal with the joker, why do you need a man to get into it? If a woman knows how to handle herself, you really don’t have to do much. You don’t have to go around bashing skulls and picking fights, unless a person really needs to be disciplined. Then I will come forward and discipline in my own quiet way.

There are fellow actors who would take up the cause of their girlfriends and beat any competition into pulp.

Doesn’t that display the confidence I have in my partner? I am not over-confident, I am confident. I am very sure about what I have and what the other person has for me. Tomorrow, even if I hear that someone has misbehaved with her (Bipasha), it wouldn’t really matter to me because I know I won’t have to deal with it because she would deal with it rightly. For me, it’s a big joke. Most of the men in the industry are shorter than me and even shorter than her.

You cannot deny that there were several steamy scenes in ‘Jism’. As an actor, how comfortable are you performing those scenes with your girlfriend for public consumption?

‘Saaya,’ my next film, does not have any hot scenes, but that is because of the kind of movie it is. ’Jism’ had hot scenes because of the kind of movie it was. Yes, I was comfortable doing those scenes with Bipasha, definitely so. ‘Saaya’ did not have that sexual undercurrent. None of my other films, whether ‘Aitbaar’ or Ahmed Khan’s film, for that matter. And no, it is not a conscious decision but that is the way it turned out. Unfortunately, ‘Jism’ has set a precedent of sorts for other films that use it as an excuse. But if you view things objectively, ‘Jism’ is a highly emotional movie.

Rumour has it that Bipasha and you had a temporary split recently because you were pressurizing her towards a marriage she wasn’t very keen on.

Getting married is a priority for me, but I don’t see a marriage for the next two years. I am a person who believes in the institution of marriage, but I am not settled enough for it yet. Marriage will happen, but in good time.

Whenever you have seen women, whether it was Riya Sen or Bipasha Basu, they have both been from your profession. You seem to think contrarily to people who would never mix business with pleasure.

I cannot plan love. Look, I might want to find love with someone who is tall, fair, and has blue eyes, and I might actually find love with someone who is short, dark, and has beautiful, black eyes. So, there are certain things you are not in control of, and love is one of them. I have no idea of a perfect woman, the woman I fall for becomes perfect. You can plan your career, but how can you plan your personal life?

It is believed that you are a very possessive boyfriend, and since you cannot take Bipasha’s friendship with her ex-boyfriend Dino, you have a strained relationship with him. This, apart from the fact that you share your core position in the Bhatt camp with him.

No, that is untrue, I am very fond of him. He is a very nice guy. We have got along as models, because we would do shows together. We are obviously not in touch because we have become actors. And there is no specific position in the Bhatt camp, so why would I be insecure? Besides, I don’t belong to the Bhatt camp. I don’t have specific loyalties to any specific camp. I am here to do my work. I have no animosity with any actor or actress. I will walk my path, if they come in my way, they fall into my life, if not,
no sweat!

Confessions of a Lady Killer! "I am an obsessive lover in real life too." The emotional pain felt at the severing of an intimate bond hurts, almost physically. And John Abraham has experienced this intense pain in the past. No, it isn’t his ex-girlfriend model-actress Riya Sen we’re talking about. The woman in question is one whom John fell in love with while studying for his MBA. Someone who’s not even remotely attached to the film or media world. As the model-actor recounts his emotional journey, an inferno of thoughts hits his calm eyes for a flicker and then fades out, just as naturally. Definitely the thinking sort, his EQ (emotional quotient) is a tough contender to his IQ (intelligence quotient). A surprise of sorts, this, for one has seldom gone beyond his brawny physique. Far from his predominant Casanova image, this hunk doesn’t believe in flings. “I have always got into serious relationships and given them my all while they lasted. I have gone through the pain, the trauma, the depression, the mood swings…,” he recounts, trailing off, struggling to verbalize profound emotions. Well, probably that’s the reason why he was so convincing playing the ‘madly-in-love’ guy in his debut Jism. “Oh yes,” he surprises me, and continues, unaware of my reaction, “the similarity of the character to my own personality is what struck me first when I heard the script. I am an obsessive lover in real life too. My life has always revolved around the woman I’ve dated at that point in time. But isn’t that the case with all others too,” he questions rhetorically and continues, “I guess the only difference is that I’m open about it,” he reasons. “Actually, I signed Jism because at that time I wanted to play safe. Deep within I knew that since I’m a lot like that character, it would help me in many ways. I wasn’t wrong. I wouldn’t say I performed well or badly. I’d say I performed honestly. Guess it is because of this that people are appreciating my work. Since I was going through an intense emotional crisis while the film was being shot, shooting emotionally-charged scenes was cathartic for me. Just pre-interval, there’s a shot where I break down completely. I howled long after the director had ‘cut’ the shot. When Mr. Mahesh Bhatt witnessed what I was going through, he remarked that the last he had personally gone through such intense emotions was when he was making Arth with Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil,” he informs, his voice thick with gratitude for a personality he admires immensely. But ‘boys don’t cry’, remember? In our lopsided society where something as fundamental as expression of emotion too is differentiated on the basis of gender (apart from a million other issues), people who have seen John crying in the film could well conclude – ‘he’s a weak man’. An easy target for chauvinists (that’s definitely a large chunk of the audience), to make him a butt of mockery. Wasn’t he apprehensive of this reaction while signing on the dotted line? I interrogate pointblank. “Some people have actually complimented me saying I look good when I cry,” he chuckles, running his hands through his straight hair, his tone suddenly turning serious, understanding the implications of his move, “I’ve broken that myth,” he retorts as if he’s been successful in proving a point. “I don’t think crying makes a man any smaller; nor is he effeminate if he does so. Since I played someone who is crazily in love, I came across as vulnerable and weak (which happens in reality too), a guy anyone could empathize with,” is his explanation. Jism – The Dark Side Of Desire is a film in which a married Bipasha Basu lures John Abraham to fall in love with her to orchestrate the murder of her millionaire husband Gulshan Grover. With the main subject being so different from the titillating title, isn’t the title… I pause for want of the right term, when John pitches in, “misleading”. Bang on! “But the title was misleading for all the right reasons. People came to see the film for obvious reasons and left the theatres realizing how wrong they were to jump to conclusions. I think the front stalls finally gave way to the balcony junta. So ultimately, the right audience got to watch the movie,” is his analysis. It is also noteworthy that this Pooja Bhatt production has broken fresh ground in terms of dealing with a seemingly forbidden topic in Bollywood – sex. The Bhatts along with debutante director Amit Saxena have been successful in bringing carnal love out of the closet. So hopefully, in due course of time, we won’t have to refer to sex in terms of birds and bees. But all this won’t be without filmmakers having their share of hiccups with the censor board. “We have definitely come of age as far as sex is concerned,” agrees John spontaneously. “The censors demanded only two minor cuts which didn’t affect the main plot at all. Rather, hats off to them for viewing the film in its totality and not losing its objectivity. This is my first experience with the film industry and I understand that if it wouldn’t have been dealt well, it could have been improper for the Indian audience. “I think the difference between Jism and the other films is that love and attraction haven’t been treated in an insipid manner, the way Bollywood has been treating it all along,” he replies confidently. “It’s a real film that showcases real issues. I loved being part of it, ” he adds as an afterthought. In a profession where success is as momentary as it is flimsy, everything seems fine today only because Jism is a hit. Had the film bombed at the box-office, this debutante would’ve cursed his stars for signing the ‘wrong’ film, especially it being a woman-centric film, I contend. “Honestly, when I heard the script I was floored. Bipasha had not even been finalized yet. Then, I didn’t bother much about the outcome of the movie,” he argues sincerely, convincing me to believe that. “The script, Pooja’s sensibility, Mr. Mahesh Bhatt at the helm, a sensible director, Amit Saxena and a brilliant cinematographer, along with fabulous music by M. M. Kreem all worked magic. I learnt a lot working with all these creative minds. So, I wouldn’t have ever regretted my decision even if the film had flopped at the box-office. “Pre-Jism, people did ask me if signing a heroine-oriented film was a right move so early in my career. They hinted at a commercial launch in a glossy film padded with usual formulae. But now that the film has clicked, those very cynics feel I couldn’t have asked for more. Look,” he pauses and tries explaining further, “I would have been the same person irrespective of the fate of the film. But I am confident people’s views towards me would’ve been just the opposite,” he predicts sarcastically. “When I entered the industry, my name, my modelling background, my stiff body language – everything worked against me. But finally it all worked in my favour because people had no expectations from me. There were no pressures of proving a point to anyone. Ironically, I couldn’t have asked for a better launch. I’ve been lucky that an unconventional film like Jism has done well because again in my next release Aitbaar, I have a very different role. So, I’d have proven my versatility rather early in my acting career, isn’t it,” he inquires, smiling sheepishly. What with Aitbaar (originally to be his debut, since he had signed it much before Jism), the Vikram Bhatt directed Amitabh Bachchan-Bipasha Basu starrer getting stalled midway due to lack of finances, this non-filmi Mumbaite is slowly learning the pitfalls of the profession. Thankfully, since Tata Info Media has stepped in to finance the film, shooting has resumed and is said to be proceeding well. “That was a bad patch for me because I hadn’t seen that coming. But I kept my calm and was constantly optimistic about it,” divulges John. “Now we’re back on track and a major portion of the film has got completed. I’m glad with my role in the film,” he informs with an audible sigh of relief. Not getting carried away with his recent success, John is extremely particular about the ventures he’s stepping in. Prior to Jism, he had signed Mukesh Bhatt’s Saaya, directed by Anurag Basu co-staring Tara Sharma and choreographer Ahmed Khan’s untitled venture along with Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty and Sohail Khan. But after the success of his debut, he has finalized only one script out of the umpteen offers that have come his way Sanjay Gupta's Musafir Hoon Yaaron. “I’ve had a bad experience with Aitbaar, so I am extra cautious while signing on the dotted line,” he admits and continues, “it doesn’t make me feel special to get flooded with offers. I admit that after Jism, I’m getting a fair amount of work. But I’m not the most sought after actor today. I have no illusions about myself,” he replies modestly. On the personal front, John’s life seems to be on a high too. Real life beau Bipasha Basu and he are the twosome at public gatherings leaving no room for speculation. Probably that’s why their chemistry in Jism is palpable. “I’d rather say I felt more comfortable with Bipasha because I knew her well since we’d done a few ad campaigns before. She is my senior, both as a model and as an actor. And I felt comfortable with her body language,” he amuses me with his politically-correct reply. Why have a hypocritical approach when their relationship is out in the open, I retort bluntly. Unfazed by my immediate response, the calm lover reveals, “I believe that any relationship should be spoken about only when it has a feasible end, which would be — getting married and living together ever after. Otherwise, no relationship is worth talking about,” he philosophizes. Nothing in life comes with a stamp of guarantee for lifetime, I retaliate impatiently. When one is in an intense relationship, one is sure that it is for keeps, eternally. He should know for having gone through it firsthand, I point out. “Yes, I’m not arguing that,” he rationalizes, “It isn’t that I’m a ‘no comments’ actor. I believe, being a public figure, I owe an explanation to my fans in return of the adulation they’ve given me,” he contradicts his stand. “But I’ll talk about my relationship openly only when I’m confident that we’ll exchange vows on the altar. I don’t see any point in doing so before that,” he’s rest assured. I presume he is serious about this relationship, but since marriage is nowhere on the cards, this once-bitten-twice-shy guy doesn’t want to ‘declare’ his emotions openly. God forbid, if things don’t work out in the long run, he would have to shy away from the tall claims he’d once made. The way it happened in the past when Riya Sen and he parted ways. As this elaborate analysis is cooking in my mind, he breaks the silence stating, “I’m not a once bitten, twice shy kind of guy. Though I’ve had my share of intense relationships that have ended on a sour note, I’ve not turned bitter or cynical,” he acknowledges, almost on cue. “You never know what life has in store for you. You might have fantasized about a dusky, tall woman all your life, but may just end up with a fair, short woman. I’ve come to realise that the idea of an ideal woman doesn’t really exist. When the time is right, and it is meant to happen, I guess it’ll all fall in place by itself. I’m ready to cry again,” the bruised soul utters softly. “I’m not a Casanova who believes in having flings all the while. I’m no saint either. But I am strong enough to handle any amount of emotional wreckage. What has unnerved me most has been the time my mother was in the hospital. I was in college then. I remember I used to kneel down and pray for her quick recovery, pray to the Almighty for mercy,” John says. Unaware that the interview has come to an end, John’s feet tap furiously. His body restless after a workout, a myriad thoughts seem to cross his mind. I hesitatingly ponder what is it that he is thinking about so intently. He surprises me with his revelation. “Many thoughts run parallel in my mind always. I’ve often felt like a traumatized soul longing to quench an eternal thirst of some kind. I wonder why? Life becomes easier for me when I place myself in the position of an underdog, because then I want to fight back. It is this striving spirit that has kept me moving in life,” he concludes the talkathon.