John Abraham entered the film industry 13 years ago with his debut film Jism and is among the few model-turned-actors to have successfully established himself as a mainstream, commercial actor. The 42-year-old, who redefined the concept of fitness in B-Town, has also backed a handful of movies as a producer and is waiting for the right script to go behind the camera. Last year, the Andheri boy married girlfriend and investment banker Priya Runchal.

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For all those who were missing his dimpled smile on the big screen — he was last seen in 2013 when he had four releases, including the critically acclaimed Madras Cafe — the actor is going to more than make up for the lack of visibility. After Welcome Back, which released this Friday, he seems to be in top gear with four more releases soon — Rocky Handsome, Dishoom, Hera Pheri 3 and Force 2. Edited excerpts from an interview:How does it feel to have a release after two years?Welcome Back should have released a year ago. It got delayed. Had it released last year, we wouldn't be talking about this. In the last two years, I've also finished Rocky Handsome, finished shooting half of Dishoom and am starting Force 2. I've been as active as any other actor but it was a conscious decision not to do much after Madras Café. In these two years, I've become fitter and stronger. While others were working, I was working out, so I'm happy!Are you trying to strike a balance between commercial and parallel films?I am just doing the films I like. I was a big fan of Welcome and I enjoyed No Entry. I loved the script of Welcome Back. If I didn't like the script, I wouldn't have done it. I was rolling on the floor with laughter when I first read it. I felt if I'm laughing, then perhaps the audience will too. Besides, one also trusts the director's vision and hope that he executes it well. Anees Bazmee is probably a better writer than he's a director and that's fantastic because there are not many good writers in this space. I keep reiterating that we've not made great cinema, we've made entertaining cinema. This film can't be critiqued. I would be worried if this film got five stars.Was there any pressure coping with the existing popularity of Welcome and keeping up to it?It's been a blessing that this is a sequel to Welcome and when you have esteemed actors, such as Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal, you've got something massive going.How was the experience of working with Naseeruddin Shah?What a darling and a lovely man he is! We were irritable in the heat while shooting, and the poor man had to wear a wig and a double black trench coat in 45 degrees and yet he was always smiling. He is such an elegant man. I enjoyed being with him.You're also acting in Hera Pheri 3. Both Welcome and Hera Pheri had Akshay Kumar in them and you've replaced him...It's the need of the script. When you read the script (of Hera Pheri 3) written by Neeraj Vora, you will realise why the original Raju (Akshay's character) is replaced by the new Raju. Akshay (Kumar) and I have a beautiful relationship and I share everything with him.You've achieved success after a lot of criticism…Not every male model has managed to become an A-list commercial actor, and I was carrying this entire burden. With Madras Café, people realised that there is more to John Abraham than just a body. Directors came up to me to tell me how well I performed. I am (like) a horse with blinkers — I only see directors. If the directors like what you've done, then you've matured as an actor. Whenever I read any interview, there's invariably a mention of the person's 'godfather' and that makes me smile. The audiences have been my godfather... they've brought me till here and with their blessings and love, I will go on.What makes you lead a humble life? Without sounding humble about it (laughs), I think and believe that I am not a big star — I am saying this genuinely. As clichéd as it may sound, I have very basic middle-class values and I never let go off them. I feel that's my strongest point and I love leading my life that way. I connect with the common man and I like chatting with them.Is it a conscious effort to frame such an image?I have been an Andheri boy, spending all my life in Koldongri. Moving to Bandra was a huge up. I've lived with the very basics all my life. I don't think a person can change where he/she comes from. That's why actors, such as Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor will always be loved. When you're a common man, it resonates with the audience.Apart from being a successful actor, you're also a successful businessman with investments in JA Clothes, JA Entertainment, JA Fitness and even own a football team.It is important to invest right. But education helps you choose the right from wrong. I thank my parents and my teachers for educating me and telling me to study. For all the youngsters reading this, and who hate hearing the words "study study study", I'd like to tell them to do just that — study, study and study. Because education not only gives you a certificate, but also the power to speak in front of an audience. That's helped me.I have a football team... it is like having 35 children in your backyard. It's tough.Do you miss your days as a bachelor? Not at all. Priya is a big support. She's born in Los Angeles and studied at UCLA, London Business School — her repertoire of work is fantastic. She refrains from going to film and public events but does things that matter to her, business meetings, social work, etc. She's made up of a completely different fabric. I've a lot of respect for her. She's added value to my life.