John Abraham (born 17 December 1972) is an Indian film actorbasically from God's Own CountryKerala, producer and former model. After modelling for numerous advertisements and companies, Abraham made his film debut with Jism (2003), which earned him a Filmfare Best Debut Awardnomination.[1]
This was followed by his first commercial success, Dhoom (2004). He received two Filmfare Award nominations, for his negative roles in Dhoom, and in Zinda (2006). He later appeared in the major critical success Water (2005).[2] He was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Baabul (2006).
In 2012, he produced his first film Vicky Donor, which was a critical and commercial success, and earned him a National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. He then established his own production house, John Abraham Entertainment. His second movie as a Producer and actor is Madras Cafe, which garnered fantastic critical acclaim. His athletic, muscular and well built personality has acquired him the status of being one of the most handsome and influential sex symbols in Bollywood.[3][4]
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John Abraham in March 2013
| |
| Born | 17 December 1972 Calicut, Kerala, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, Film producer, Model |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Partner(s) | Bipasha Basu (2002-2011) Priya Runchal (2012–present) |
| Parents | Abraham John and Firoza Irani |
| Relatives | Susy Mathew (sister) Alan (younger brother) |
| Website | |
| www.johnabraham.com | |
Early life and education[edit]
John was born in Kerala to a Nasrani Malayali father and a Parsi mother. His father, Abraham John, is an architect from Aluva, Kerala; his mother is named Firoza Irani. Abraham's Parsi name is "Farhan" while his father being a Marthomite Syrian Christian named him "John."[5][6][7] He has a sister Susy Mathew[8][9][10] and younger brother, Alan. Abraham studied at Calicut Scottish School, Calicut in Kerala. He got his bachelor's degree in economics from Jai Hind College. John also received an MMS from Calicut Educational Trust (MET) [11][12][13][14]
Career[edit]
Modeling[edit]
John Abraham started his modelling career appearing in the music video of the song "Surma" by Punjabi singer Jazzy B.[15] He then joined a media firm Time & Space Media Entertainment Promotions Ltd., which, however, closed because of financial problems. Later, he worked for Enterprises-Nexus as a media planner.[16] In 1999, he won the Gladrags Manhunt Contest and went to the Philippines for Manhunt International, where he won second place.[17] Following this, he was signed by Carrie Models in Singapore and did some modelling there; he later modelled in Hong Kong, London and New York City. He also appeared in a number of commercial advertisements and in other music videos for singers including Pankaj Udhas, Hans Raj Hans and Babul Supriyo. To improve his acting skills, Abraham joined the Kishore Namit Kapoor acting laboratory and completed an acting course while juggling modelling assignments.[18]
Actor[edit]
Abraham made his acting debut with Jism (2003), a thriller film which according to Box Office India, was "above average" grossing 132,500,000 Rs.[19]
His next films included a paranormal thriller Saaya (2003), Pooja Bhatt's directorial debut Paap (2004) and Ahmed Khan's Lakeer – Forbidden Lines (2004).
He played the role of Kabir – the main antagonist in Dhoom in 2004, an action film produced by Yash Raj Films. The film was one of the highest grossing films of that year.[20]
In 2005 he starred in the supernatural thriller Kaal and the comedy Garam Masala both of which did well at the box office.[21] Later that year, he had a role in Water, which portrayed the tragic fate of Hindu widows in British India of the 1930s. The film was written and directed by independent Canadian film-maker Deepa Mehta. It was popular internationally, and was nominated for the 2006Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards. Abraham attended the ceremony along with the film's crew and makers but the film lost to Germany's The Lives of Others.[22]
In the summer of 2006, Abraham performed at the "Rockstars Concert" along with fellow Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Zayed Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Esha Deol, Shahid Kapoor and Mallika Sherawat.[23] In that same year, he starred in the films Zinda, Taxi No. 9211, Baabul and Kabul Express.[24] Among these Taxi No. 9211 and Kabul Express were substantially successful.
Nikhil Advani's multi-starrer Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love was Abraham's first release in 2007. The movie failed to do well at the Indian box office,[25] though it did well in the overseas markets.[26] His last two 2007 releases included the thriller No Smoking and the sports film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.
In 2008, Abraham starred alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra in Dostana, his only release that year. His first release of 2009 was a production by Yash Raj Films, New York.
He has a fashion line— branded JA Clothes — which primarily features his favorite article of clothing, jeans.[27]
In 2011, was seen in the films Aashayein and Jhootha Hi Sahi. Both of the films turned out to be box office failures. Lately, Abraham has appeared in films Force (2011), Desi Boyz (2011), andHousefull 2 (2012). His first film of 2013 was the multi-starrer Race 2 which was commercially successful, though his second release the coming-of-age romantic comedy I, Me Aur Main, under performed at the box office. His next release was Shootout at Wadala, in which he was portraying the role of gangster Manya Surve. The film emerged a success at the box office.His latest movieMadras Cafe, which also is a second movie for him as a producer garnered much critical acclaim, also the collections of the movie saw an upward trend after the terrific word of mouth.
Producer[edit]
His debut film as a producer was titled Vicky Donor (2012) and featured Ayushmann Khurrana, Annu Kapoor and Yami Gautam. Abraham also appeared in an item-number for the film.[28] It opened to positive response, and turned out to be a critical and commercial success. His second production, Madras Cafe which is also directed by Shoojit Sircar, opened to overwhelming response from the critics, and after taking a positive start at the box-office, the film saw an enormous jump owing to the terrific word of mouth. Abraham has also announced his ideas on Hamara Bajaj, an upcoming reality film he is planning with most of the cast & crew of Vicky Donor.
Personal life[edit]
During the filming of Jism in 2002, Abraham began to date his co-star Bipasha Basu. They were in a relationship until early 2011 when the couple officially broke up.[29][30][31][32][33] Whilst together, the two were often referred to as a supercouple in the Indian media.[34] He is now in a relationship with Priya Runchal, an NRI financial analyst and investment banker from USA native toMcLeodganj, whom he met in Mumbai, in December, 2010.[35]
Social causes[edit]
Abraham takes an interest in PETA and Habitat for Humanity.[36][37] He donated 
1 millions to the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, according to his website.[38]
1 millions to the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, according to his website.[38]
In January 2009, Abraham led a group of Indian celebrities in the Mumbai Marathon, an annual event to benefit the United Way.[39]
In April 2013 on behalf of PETA Abraham wrote a letter to Minister for Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, asking that she make all circuses in India animal-free.[40][41]
TV show[edit]
A four-part TV show titled John Abraham: A Simple Life was telecast on NDTV Good Times from 18 November to 21 November 2013. The show gave viewers a sneak peek into John Abraham's life.[42][43][44]
Filmography[edit]
Actor[edit]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jism | Kabir Lal | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut |
| 2003 | Saaya | Dr.Akash / "Akki" | |
| 2004 | Aetbaar | Aryan Trivedi | |
| 2004 | Paap | Shiven | |
| 2004 | Lakeer – Forbidden Lines | Saahil | |
| 2004 | Dhoom | Kabir | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role |
| 2004 | Madhoshi | Aman | |
| 2005 | Elaan | Abhimanyu | |
| 2005 | Karam | John | |
| 2005 | Kaal | Krish Thapar | |
| 2005 | Viruddh | Amar Patwardhan | |
| 2005 | Water | Narayan | |
| 2005 | Garam Masala | Shyam / "Sam" | |
| 2005 | Shikhar | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2006 | Zinda | Rohit Chopra | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role |
| 2006 | Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna | Special appearance in the song "Where's The Party Tonight?" | |
| 2006 | Taxi No. 9211 | Jai Mittal | |
| 2006 | Baabul | Rajat | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2006 | Kabul Express | Sohail Khan | |
| 2007 | Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love | Ashutosh Raina | |
| 2007 | Hattrick | Special appearance in the song "Wicket Bacha" | |
| 2007 | No Smoking | K | |
| 2007 | Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal | Sunny Bhasin | |
| 2008 | Dostana | Kunal | |
| 2009 | Luck by Chance | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2009 | Little Zizou | Arjun | Special appearance |
| 2009 | New York | Samir / "Sam" | |
| 2010 | Aashayein | Rahul Sharma | |
| 2010 | Jhootha Hi Sahi | Sid | |
| 2011 | 7 Khoon Maaf | Jimmy Stetson | |
| 2011 | Mere Brother Ki Dulhan | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2011 | Force | ACP Yashvardhan | |
| 2011 | Desi Boyz | Nick Mathur / "Hunter" | |
| 2012 | Housefull 2 | Max | |
| 2012 | Vicky Donor | Special appearance in the song "Rum Whisky" | |
| 2013 | Race 2 | Armaan Malik | |
| 2013 | I, Me, aur Main | Ishaan Sabharwal | |
| 2013 | Shootout at Wadala | Manya Surve | |
| 2013 | Madras Cafe | Vikram Singh | |
| 2014 | Dostana 2 | Kunal | Announced |
| 2014 | Welcome Back | Filming |
Producer[edit]
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Vicky Donor | National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Film |
| 2013 | Madras Cafe | |
| 2013 | Hamara Bajaj | Pre-production |
Awards and nominations[edit]
- 2013: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Vicky Donor
- Filmfare Awards
- Nominated
- 2004: Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for Jism
- 2005: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Dhoom [45]
- 2006: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Zinda[citation needed]
- 2007: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Baabul
- 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Film for Vicky Donor[citation needed]
- IIFA Awards
- Won
- 2005: IIFA Best Villain Award for Dhoom [46]
- Nominated
- 2006: IIFA Best Supporting Actor Award for Garam Masala[47]
- 2007: IIFA Best Villain Award for Zinda[48]
- Zee Cine Awards
- Won
- Nominated
Won
- 2008: Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1 along with Abhishek Bachchan for Dostana[50]
- Nominated
- Stardust Awards
- Won
- Global Indian Film Awards
- Nominated
- 2006: GIFA Best Villain for Zinda[54]
