John Abraham Requests Cops To Release 'Stalker'!

A few days back, there had been news about a male fan, who had been stalking actor-producer John Abraham by calling up his staff members and family members continuously, leading to a police complaint against him.

However, it seems that when the cops traced and detained the man, John Abraham, who got to know about it from the police, requested the cops to let the stalker go free without pressing any charges. John had reportedly got to know that the 'stalker' was just a normal fan, who was quite eager to chat with his idol and the hunk requested the police to release him.

Apart from acting and production, John is known for his philanthropic activities.

I am not interested in going on TV: John Abraham

No, I will not host (any show on TV). I am not interested in going on the small screen as of now. I don't have any desire to go there," John said in an interview.

"I am fit for the large screen and I will stay there," he added.

After a successful career as a model and actor, John ventured into film production with 'Vicky Donor' , which received a fantastic response from both the audience as well as the critics.

His second production venture ' Madras Cafe' , in which he played the lead role, too won lots of appreciation.

Now, John is busy with another production, tentatively titled  'Hamara Bajaj'. His acting assignments include  'Welcome Back' and  'Dostana 2'. 

Small screen formats don't excite me : John Abraham

Actor John Abraham has been chosen as the face of National Geographic Channel but the actor said that he is not interested in being a part of any television show.

"I would not want to be a part of the small screen today. Look at the formatting on the small screen... it doesn't excite me at all," John told IANS.

However, the actor is in complete support of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor's endeavour to bring about a change on TV through his desi adaptation of American thriller series "24".

"The small screen is growing and I must compliment Anil Kapoor on changing the quality of programming on the small screen. I must say he is trying to make a difference. The quality of programming should change with '24'," he said.

"24" will go on air on Colors Oct 4.

John Abraham to star in sports film ?

After winning critical acclaim for his last release, 'Madras Cafe', based on the Sri Lankan civil war, actor-producer John Abraham is now taking his interest in sports forward by planning to make films on football, motorcycling and boxing.

"We are making a film on sports... Shoojit has quite a few ideas. The only thing I could reveal is the film is about football, it is based on that. We are still in development stage and we will make an announcement on it," John told PTI in an interview here.

"No, it is not a biopic on any sports personality but it is based on a true story. It is amazing, adventurous, commercial and will be fun to watch for the audience," he said.

There are other areas of sports as well that the 40-year-old actor wants to explore through films.

"Besides this, there are two-three films on sports as that is my area of interest. And one is on motorcycling, that we have started scripting, the other is in space of contact sports (meaning boxing, wrestling etc)," John said.

Ask him if he would be acting in these projects the reply seems affirmative.

"I don't know that yet. I think in all probability I will be the first choice for my own production for these films. Then we will look out for others," he added.

Post the success of his two home production films 'Vicky Donor' and 'Madras Cafe' John insists he will make sure the next film will be even better.

'Madras Cafe' was a spy thriller, which traced the political and military histories of the neighbours and covered the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Lankan rebel group LTTE's activities through the eye of an agent, played by John.

"The film did not have a typical Bollywood song, dance hero and it did half the business of a successful film. This shows there is audience who want to watch these kinds of films as well.

"This segment of audience will grow as the youth is getting more and more aware. I want to create that kind of new and entertaining cinema as a producer and actor," John said.

He says the audience has proved that they are open to see qualitative cinema.

John Abraham's Madras Cafe 2 Days Collection At Box Office

Shoojit Sircar's latest directorial venture Madras Cafe starring John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri in leads, opened to a lackluster response at the Indian Box Office, but has picked up very well on Saturday. 

This political espionage thriller has smashed the first and second day collection records of John's previous solo movie Force, which had hit the screen on September 30, 2011. Madras Cafe, which has been most-talked about its controversial subject, was expected to start with a bang at the Indian Box Office, but the movie had a slow start with its occupancy ranging between 25% and 35% in the morning and matinee shows on its opening day, but it showed massive growth in the afternoon and evening shows. 

The film collected Rs Fri 5.17 crores nett in the domestic market on the first day. The John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri starrer showed further improvements on Saturday. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, "#MadrasCafe is zooming upwards. Not just plexes of urban centres, even single screens/mass circuits have witnessed an upswing in biz. WOW!" 

The movie collected Rs 7 crores at the Indian Box Office on its second day, taking its two-day domestic total to Rs 12.17 crores. However, Force, which has been the biggest opening solo film for John Abraham, had collected Rs 5.05 crores on Friday and Rs 4.75 crores on Saturday. Now, Madras Cafe has shattered both these collection records. The movie has garnered a very powerful word of mouth. 

As per the early trends, the movie is expected to rake in Rs 8.5 to 10 crores nett at the Indian Box Office on Sunday. Stay locked to this space to read latest Madras Cafe Box Office reports.

Students oppose release of 'Madras Cafe'

Close on the heels of pro-Tamil political outfits' demand for a ban on Bollywood film “Madras Cafe”, students of a city law college staged a protest here on Wednesday against its release on August 23.

They submitted a complaint to police against its release and also sought a ban on the film, which they claimed portrayed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in bad light.

MDMK chief Vaiko and Naam Thamizhar Katchi (We Tamils) leader Seeman have already sought a ban on the film starring John Abraham as an Indian intelligence agent in Sri Lanka during the civil war between the government and LTTE in the late 80s and early 90s.

Following a demand by the protesters, the filmmakers had arranged for a preview of the film last Sunday, after which the protesters further strengthened their stand on the film.

Naam Thamizhar Katchi had in July given a complaint to police, demanding that the film not be released in the state, citing possible law and order problems.

John Abraham has refused to delete any scene from ‘Madras Cafe’ and wondered why anyone has a problem with the film when the Censor Board had cleared it.

John Abraham in Mirchi remake!

With south remakes topping the Rs. 100 crore club list, John Abraham, who recently crossed the Rs. 100 crore mark with Race 2, wants to be a part of yet another South remake. After Force, which was a remake of the Tamil movie Kaakha Kaakha, John will now be seen in the remake of a Telugu movie titledMirchi.

The original film stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty and Richa Gangopadhyay in the lead. It was released in February this year and John was apparently so impressed with the film, that he immediately bought the rights to remake it. 

However, the film is yet in its initial stages as the title and the cast are yet to be finalized.

John Abraham Keen To Direct Big Budget Film With Newcomers

Actor-producer John Abraham hopes to go behind the camera one day for a big budget film, starring newcomers.

"I will direct a big budget film with newcomers. I don't know why studios don't make big budget films with newcomers! We need to support them," said John.

"Why do we only make big budget films with only top five actors, why aren't we getting mature? We all need to come out of that," added the actor, who produced the sleeper hit Vicky Donor starring debutant Ayushmann Khurrana.

However, John, who is awaiting the release of his next project Madras Cafe, is not sure when he will direct a movie."But for sure, I want to direct films. Whenever the right time comes, I will get into it."

`Madras Cafe` Will Re-Launch Nargis : Shoojit Sircar

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar has roped in Nargis Fakhri for ‘Madras Café’ and says that he is re-launching her in filmdom with his movie on terrorism.

She made her Bollywood debut with hit musical romance "Rockstar!" as a college going student. While her co-star Ranbir Kapoor was praised for his performance in the film, the actress managed to impress with her looks.

Now Sircar is presenting her as a journalist in "Madras Cafe", a political-thriller, which deals with terrorism and civil war and was reportedly shot in Sri Lanka and India.

"This is Nargis`s debut film. I introduced Nargis in a commercial and then she did `Rockstar`," Shoojit told reporters in a group interview.

Showing confidence in the actress`s acting skills, he further said: "I can assure you, she will surprise everybody with the film. This is the reason I am telling you Nargis is debuting with `Madras Cafe`."

With three films in his kitty and a National Award, Sircar, the man behind "Yahaan", "Vicky Donor" and "Shoebite", says that he is "particular about my actors".

"I don`t let them go till I get the best out of them. Nargis will be re-launched with the film," he reiterated.

"Madras Cafe" features John Abraham in the lead and the actor is also co-producing the film.

Why did John Abraham slam Salman Khan?

A defensive John Abraham went on an attack mode recently at an event, and called Salman Khan’s Tiger act fake and unreal! John and Salman never really got along well, the two shared icy vibes ever since the Rockstars concert fight way back in 2006. And just when the there seemed to be some warmth seeping in, this rivalry just got a reboot after John who is playing a RAW agent in Shoojit Sircar’s Madras Café took potshot at Sallu’s act in Ek Tha Tiger.

At a recent press conference of Madras Café, John got very uncomfortable when he was asked if he would be seen in any larger than life action sequence like his contemporaries. John went on to vehemently clarify that he won’t be flashing his six-pack abs or do any super-hero like unreal stunts. John’s pat reply was a direct hit at Salman. Knowing Sallu penchant for unreal action (Wanted, Dabangg series, Ek Tha Tiger), we’re sure John wanted to create a more original impact. While we couldn’t agree more with Johnny boy about the unrealistic part, we would also like to warn that being bluntly honest could hurt! After all theDabangg Khan doesn’t take these things lightly, so do we hear some more dishum dishum noise when the duo comes together in the coming days? Watch this space for we’ll be the first ones to get it!

Spoiled by Success? Shraddha dumps YRF, rejects 'old' John & Jr B!

Is the 'Aashiqui 2' actress Shraddha Kapoor getting not-so-wise career advice?

The romantic saga's success proved that it was a wise career move for the youngster. B-Town's latest it girl's recent moves however have led to speculation about what's going on in her mind.

Of late, Shakti Kapoor's daughter has been more in the news about which actor she will work with - or rather not with. Shraddha has been apparently sending signals that she is keen to work with actors in her age group - in the 20s.

And how she has been turning down offers with established actors who apparently are too 'old' for her.

Reportedly she turned down Umesh Shukla's upcoming film with Abhishek Bachchan and apparently also Anees Bazmee's project opposite John Abraham. Reason? She does not want to work with Junior B and Johnny boy as they are 'old' for her!

Age matters


Shraddha however finds it amusing that she could set an age limit for her co-stars. She says, `It is all so absurd. I do not know where all this is coming from. Why would I set an age limit? I am a newcomer and want to work with everyone.

I would love to work with Abhishek and John but I was never offered these projects so the question of turning them down does not arise.` She claims she takes her own decisions but as she comes from a film family `it would be silly not to take her folks' advise before signing a film. But at the end they let me take a final call.`


She adds, `Aashiqui 2 was my first big hit, I am blessed to find myself in this space. It would be a golden opportunity to work with them.` Her current assignments include Punit Malhotra's upcoming film starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor and an item number in Rensil D'Silva's film. She has also signed Aashiqui director Mohit Suri's next opposite Sidharth Malhotra.

Booted out


Shraddha was shown the door by the Yash Raj folk last year when she gave her nod to Aashiqui 2. After Luv Ka The End, she waited for her next film with YRF to take off. But with nothing happening, she decided to move out. There has been buzz that her Aashiqui 2 co-star Aditya Roy Kapoor, who is doing a Yash Raj production, was keen to have her in the project.


She says, `I would love to work with Aditya again in another film. I am waiting for the opportunity. Adi Chopra is my mentor and I am always available for them.` There has also been buzz that she was approached for a film with Akshay Kumar. However she maintains, `I have not been approached but I would love to work with him.`

'Rejecting films to get publicity'


Producer Firoz Nadiadwala and director Anees Bazmee have been taken aback with the news of Shraddha having apparently rejected their upcoming film Welcome's sequel. Says Firoz Nadiadwala's spokesperson, `Shraddha was not approached for the film and it's shocking for her to even suggest it.

The role requires someone who is extremely glamourous, has great screen presence and is a fine actress and frankly glamour isn't Shraddha's forte. Let's not forget that Welcome starred Katrina Kaif and hence the role would be suitable to an actress in the top rankings and Shraddha doesn't figure in the top 10.


It would require years for someone like Shraddha who is barely a film-old and has worked with only newcomers, to get to the level of working with a brand name like John Abraham. 

The makers have almost finalised a top actress, the announcement will be made soon.` Adds Anees Bazmee's spokesperson, `It is amusing to read all this. It seems to have become a trend for wannabe actresses to declare they are rejecting films to get publicity.`

Bro fails to save the day


Shraddha and her brother, newbie actor Siddhant Kapoor are known to be quite close to each other. Apparently, after rumours surfaced about the actress not wanting to do a film with John, her brother apparently has since been trying to make amends from his end.

Siddhant and John had worked together in Shootout at Wadala. A source says, `Siddhant and Shraddha are protective about each other. He immediately decided to take matters into his own hands and called John to sort the issue out. But the actor chose not to pick up Siddhant's calls.`


According to insiders, since John and Shraddha's brother shared quite a good rapport on the sets of Sanjay Gupta's film, the latter didn't want to see their relationship spoil. But even after repeated attempts, he could not get in touch with John.` 

However, a source close to John says that the actor remained busy throughout the day with his photo shoots and work on the promo launch of his second home production. 

All Rs 100 crore films are not great, says John Abraham!

 Actor-producer John Abraham feels all Rs 100 crore club films are not great. After the critical and commercial success of 'Vicky Donor', the actor's production house JA Entertainment and Rising Sun Films have teamed up once again for 'Madras Cafe'.

"This is a serious film. We believe in making quality films. I don't know how much crores the film would make. I feel all Rs 100 crore films are not the greatest movies," John told reporters here last evening at the trailer launch of

'Madras Cafe'.A spy thriller, the film is a story based on the political relations between India and Sri Lanka and it releases on August 23. The other two big films releasing next month include - 'Chennai Express' (on August 8 -Eid) and 'Once

Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobara' (August 15).

"Holidays do get you a good opening but at the end of the day, the content, quality of the film will speak. We are confident about our film and its release date. We wanted a clear open window and we have got that. It is a clutter

breaker film, it is a very special project... we have spent six-seven years on it," John said.

"We want to make entertaining films with strong content. We want to make quality films," he said.

There were reports that the film has a reference to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and also deals with the LTTE's activities in Sri Lanka.

"The film has no such depictions. The backdrop of the film is India-Sri Lanka and after that the entire story is fictional. It is a realistic film. I'm satisfied with the final cut," director Shoojit Sircar said.

The film was initially titled as 'Jaffna', but the makers finally settled for 'Madras Cafe', as it is relevant to the plot of the film. A strategic meeting happens at this place, Shoojit said.

The film also stars Nargis Fakhri as a war journalist.

"I am happy to be part of this film. It was great working with John and Shoojit. For my role of a journalist I researched a lot, I saw lot of things online, how they report and work, their body language etc. I got scared to shoot

intense scenes," Nargis said.

John praised Nargis for her work in the film and said she will make everyone proud.

The trailer of 'Madras Cafe' has been released with 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.

Shraddha says no to John!

Looks like Aashiqui 2 has surely turned tables for Shraddha Kapoor. It is said that Shraddha Kapoor was offered Welcome Back opposite John Abraham. However the actress rejected the film. It is said that the reason she rejected the project was because she doesn't want to work with actors above 35 years of age. Shraddha wants to avoid working with older actors because she thinks that working with them will make her perceived as old too.

Madras Cafe First Look : John Abraham's In The Search Of Truth

Here's the first look of John Abraham's Madras Cafe, which spells the intense theme of the film. In this Shoojit Sircar's political thriller, Rockstar actress Nargis Fakri will be trying her luck at Bollywood again. Nargis essays the role of a foreign journalist.

The film briefly came under controversy when actress Leena Marie Paul, who was recently booked under multiple cheating cases was associated with the film. However the filmmakers said that the incarcerated actress was "never" a part of Madras Cafe. The film also stars Vicky Donor fame Ayushmann Khurrana and is set to release on August 23.

Get a glimpse into John Abraham`s second production ‘Madras Café’ when you go to watch ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ Friday. The trailer of the ‘Madras Café’ will release with the Farhan Akhtar-starrer.

‘Madras Café’, which features John and Nargis Fakhri, is directed by Shoojit Sircar. The director is looking forward to the response to the trailer.

"The trailer of `Madras Cafe` is attached with `Bhaag Milkha Bhaag`. I am eagerly waiting to see the audience response," Sircar said.

He promises an unusual film, and said: "It`s in the spy zone and is a realistic film. I`m satisfied with the final cut, but let`s see how audience reacts to it."

Same day release for John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra's films?

Actors John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra, who had teamed up for the hit film "Dostana", will reportedly vie for the top spot at the box office with their respective films "Madras Cafe" and animated movie "Planes". Both are scheduled for an Aug 23 release.

A source confirmed the report and said: "Priyanka's film 'Planes' will be releasing on August 23rd with John's 'Madras Cafe'."

Priyanka has given voiceover for the animated project, while John has produced as well as acted in "Madras Cafe".

John Abraham packs a punch

Be it for the bulging muscles he bared (again) in Shootout At Wadala, or his oft-talked about rigorous workout regimen, John Abraham has established himself as a fitness icon.

Now, the actor is combining this love for sports and fitness with his business acumen (he is a B-school graduate)

to rope in former world heavyweight champion David Haye for a “few selected” fitness centres across India with boxing as a major form of exercise.

Boxing in India has, of course, come into popular focus recently, thanks to an Olympic medal (at the 2012 Games in London) and a film-in-progress on its winner, pugilist Mary Kom. Not a bad time, perhaps, to harvest the interest in the sport.

John, apparently a boxing enthusiast himself, says about his partnership: “I’ve trained with him (David) and realised that we share the same passion for fitness and the sport of boxing. We have a lot of mutual respect. I’ve always endorsed fitness and a healthy lifestyle, and look to pioneer a new trend in India in association with David.”

The British boxer is already in the process of opening his gym in Dubai, called Hayemaker Gym, and is will now bring a similar experience to India in collaboration with John and his JA Fitness franchise.

A source close to the actor provides further details, saying, “As of now, plans for opening three institutes in Mumbai are being chalked out. They are likely to come up at places like Worli, Andheri and Bandra. They will also be opening one in Delhi. But, eventually, there will be a chain of institutes that will open all over India.”



David who?
The 6 ft 3 in British pugilist David Haye is a former world cruiserweight champion. Hailing from the Bermondsey district of south London, he has an impressive record of having beaten 24 out of 26 opponents by knock out. He is currently ranked world no. 3 heavyweight contender by the Transnational Boxing Rankings.

Shootout At Wadala Box Office Update

Crime thriller Shootout At Wadala has collected approximately Rs 33 crore till Tuesday, while small budget anthology film Bombay Talkies, which came out on the same day and got rave reviews, has garnered about Rs 6 crore.

Made at a budget of Rs 6 crore, Bombay Talkies was released in about 480 screens all over India, while big budget Shootout At Wadala hit approximately 1,700 screens in the country.

Both films hit the screens on May 3, the day which marked 100 years of Indian cinema. Keeping their budget and scale of release in mind, they seem to be on the right track.

According to distributor Ramesh Sippy of BRS Enterprises, "Both the films have done average business while Bombay Talkies has approximately collected around Rs 4.5 crore till Monday, Shootout At Wadala has collected around Rs 33 crore till Monday all over India."

Rajesh Thadani from Multimedia Combines told IANS: "Shootout At Wadala is doing pretty well. The film has collected around Rs 33 to Rs 35 crore till Tuesday. Bombay Talkies was a little disappointing, it's not up to the mark. The film has collected around Rs 5.5 crore till Tuesday."

While Shootout At Wadala brought the story of Mumbai police's first official encounter when they gunned down gangster Manya Surve, played by John Abraham in the movie, Bombay Talkies strung an amalgamation of four short stories by four directors.

Delhi-based distributor Sanjay Ghai said: "In Delhi, Shootout At Wadala collected around Rs 6.5 crore till Tuesday. It was released in around 50 to 60 screens in Delhi."

Sunil Bansal from Yash Raj Jai Pictures Pvt. Ltd. said: "In Rajasthan both the films have done average business. There was a lot of expectation from both the films, but Bombay Talkies managed to collect around 15 to 20 percent, while Shootout At Wadala collected around 40 percent in Rajasthan.