John Abraham at Mumbai Saga trailer launch: If I am trending, I know I am a joke

The trailer of John Abraham’s forthcoming movie, Mumbai Saga, premiered in a Mumbai theater on Friday. Amidst the countless adversaries his character, Amartya Rao, confronts, and the barrage of bullets evident in the trailer, one thing remains apparent—Sanjay Gupta’s directorial venture is crafted for a broad audience.

During a subsequent media interaction, John was asked about the enduring allure of the gangster genre that keeps drawing him back. Having previously portrayed Manya Surve in Gupta’s 2013 crime thriller, Shootout at Wadala, John expressed that he chooses such projects to establish a connection with audiences because that’s where he feels “at home.”

He explained, “You must create films that resonate with a mass audience, not confined to a select few in an upscale cinema. I believe this film speaks to the masses. I witnessed the impact Manya Surve had, not just for me but also for Sanjay. There’s a relatability with a significant portion of the audience, especially the masses. In the heartland of India, these characters are truly memorable.”

John also voiced his opposition to the prevailing trend of online virality, asserting that it does little to benefit the film industry or reach a broader audience. He dismissed the significance of online trolls, stating, “When making films, prioritize the people. We shouldn’t be catering to a tiny audience out of fear of online criticism. My biggest fear is trending online. If I trend, I know I’ve become a joke. So, I steer clear of trends and focus on reaching the masses.”

Reflecting on his career, John highlighted the role that larger-than-life crime thrillers have played in garnering popularity among his fans. He remarked, “Mumbai Saga offers the chance to reconnect with the masses, where my roots are. For someone like me, whose career was built on the big screen, it’s essential to go back to them. Playing a gangster with Sanjay is like autopilot for me, and I genuinely enjoy it.”

Mumbai Saga, directed by Sanjay Gupta and produced by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar, features an ensemble cast including Emraan Hashmi, Suniel Shetty, Kajal Aggarwal, Rohit Roy, Anjana Sukhani, Mahesh Manjrekar, Prateik Babbar, Samir Soni, Amole Gupte, and Gulshan Grover. The film is slated for release on March 19, 2021.