John Abraham: Such a film can only be quantified by ticket sales

Unfazed by the brutal trolling of Satyameva Jayate 2 trailer, John says cop caper is his attempt to cater to India that lies beyond metropolitan audience

John Abraham candidly admits that release days are rarely exciting for him. It is while starting a new film that he gets most excited. “The only thing that has me thrilled is that this film [can] bring the audience back to the theatres,” begins the actor, whose Satyameva Jayate 2 hit the screens yesterday. “It offers the 70mm experience. It won’t work as a pay-per-view film; that would be a disservice to the platform and the movie. The target group is in the hinterland, those who live beyond the purview of social media.”

A still from the film

But the trolling on social media can sometimes be hard to see past. Netizens have had a field day sharing memes, be it about the leading man’s triple role or him lifting a bike in an action sequence. Abraham is characteristically unfazed by it all. Director Milap Zaveri’s conviction in the actioner is enough to sell the film to him. “Such a film can be quantified only by ticket sales. Beyond that, it doesn’t matter who said what about it on Twitter. We knew we’re catering to the Hindi hinterland audience. As an actor, I want to juggle this space and a Batla House [2019], which is appreciated for its fine research and its layers. I don’t want to cater only to the metropolitan audience, and forget that there’s an India beyond. There are people who have a condescending attitude [towards these movies], but it doesn’t matter. I’ve survived in this industry for so long because I’m doing something right.”

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So, how does he tackle the trolling that can often get cruel? The actor has an easy fix. “I only follow handles of football clubs and animal [videos]. If an animal didn’t like my movie, it’d worry me. Human beings, not so much,” he laughs, before indicating that it’s mind over movies for him. “Films that are raved about, and that are trolled will come and go. You can’t let that affect your headspace. [Otherwise] you’ll become a slave of the system. I choose to ride my bike and play with puppies instead.”

Also Read: Milap Zaveri: If intellectuals dislike my movie, I don’t care

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