I love animals and I work for PETA says John Abraham

John Abraham turned 35 on Monday.Everyone knows him as a first-rate model, an evolving actor and a youth icon.

He is deeply involved in social work and wants more youngsters to join his Habitat for Humanity brigade.
"I keep a break between my films and during those breaks I work for social causes I address. I love animals and I work for PETA. I have my own brigade called John' brigade for Habitat For Humanity," John told IANS.

"This year, we have built 5,000 houses in impoverished villages all over India. Next year, we plan to build 8,000 houses. Habitat for Humanity is a Jimmy Carter foundation project.

Although critics have panned his latest two releases "No Smoking" and "Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal", John is unperturbed and looking out for more substantial roles.

"You have to take criticism positively. Criticism is where someone will tell you both bad and good points. I object to cynicism where people just tell you the bad things. So criticism is always welcome," he said.

"I make sure that I get the right role and the money is also important. But I'm not consciously trying to do non-commercial films. 'Zinda' was different but it worked.

"I'm being offered unconventional roles because directors have realised that I am open to different kinds of films whereas other actors are probably interested in doing safe films. I'm happy doing different films and when I get an offer to do a film like 'Zinda' or 'Taxi No. 9211' I get excited.

It was Sanjay Gadhvi who gave him the tailor made role in "Dhoom". The film was a phenomenal success and John became a star. "Garam Masala", "Zinda" and "Taxi No. 9211" followed.

"See my expectations from a film don't matter commercially. If 10 people don't see my film it's fine, but if one person sees it and says you have done a great job, that's important."

His future projects are as diverse has his last releases - "Water", "No Smoking" and "Goal".

He is doing Deep Mehta's "Luna", Shriram Raghvan's "Happy Birthday" and Karan Johar's romantic-comedy.

"Karan's film is a laugh riot and people are going to love it. I have no doubt about that. 'Happy birthday' is a working title. That's the film starting now. It is again a beautiful romantic film and romance has never seen the backdrop it has. So it's a surreal love story, the best way to put it. 'Luna' will happen during August-September next year."

"But I still love working in the Indian set up. It's special. At the end of the day I'm Indian and my audience is Indian."

He is very keen to do another bike film like "Dhoom".

John Abraham talks about his forthcoming films.

John Abraham is upbeat about the films he has lined up, but don’t ask him about Bips

A VROOOOOOOOM caller tune greets you, assuring you that you have the right number. And then John Abraham talks enthusiastically about his forthcoming films. His next release, No Smoking , sees him playing a 12-year-old in parts of the movie. “Ranvir Shorey and I had to enact our childhood. We wore boxers, ganjis and specs and it looks convincing.

He’s also doing Karan Johar’s next with Priyanka Chopra and Abhishek Bachchan; and if rumours are to be believed, his character has hints of homosexuality. “Yes, and that’s pure fun. It’s just five per cent of what the film is about. And I’ve no problems doing such roles. . “The star cast for Sriram’s film has not been finalised, but Aishwarya might act in it,” he adds.

After Water, John’s become an admirer of filmmaker Deepa Mehta and is doing two more films with her. “I’m in total awe of Deepa. I’m doing Luna and Exclusion with her. Luna is a topical film about global warming, the true story of a woman who sat on a tree for three years to prevent it from being cut down. And Exclusion is to me what Apocalypto was to Mel Gibson. Shooting for both films will start next year. Deepa’s an honest filmmaker. The equation that I share with her is very honest,” says John.

Apart from films, John espouses many causes and has started a project called John’s Brigade that builds houses for the poor; he also supports a project called Habitat for Humanity that works in the same area. He says, “ Mr and Mrs Khutija , who head a corporate body,

He says his strongest base is youth. “They feel I’m very accessible to them. They feel, if John can do this, so can I. When Dhoom released, even four-year-olds watched it,” says John, who’s known as ‘Dhoom Uncle’ among kids.

He’s also conceived a cellphone game for youngsters, but says it won’t be launched any time soon. “Technology keeps changing. Besides, I want the right kind of marketing push for the game, which will take time,” he explains.

He’s happy to talk as long as it’s about his films and other activities. But mention the status of his relationship with Bipasha Basu, and he says curtly, “I don’t care about the rumours since I didn’t spread them in any case.”