John Abraham began his career as a model and made a foray into films with Jism in 2003, for which he earned a Filmfare Best Debut Award nomination. A style icon, his long hairdo in the film inspired many to emulate him.
One look at his Instagram account will give you serious fitness goals. A biking enthusiast, he has an enviable bike collection. Abraham is known to treat them like babies. He also earned a quick buck in college with his biking stunts. His collection includes the likes of Kawasaki Ninja ZZR 1400, Yamaha Vmax, Mahindra Mojo, Ducati Diavel and Suzuki Hayabusa.
Comedy and action have been his strong suits. He also went to excel as a producer with Vicky Donor featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, Annu Kapoor and Yami Gautam in lead roles.
His second production, Madras Cafe, directed by Shoojit Sircar also opened to overwhelming response from the critics.
Now, the co-owner of the Indian Super League football team, NorthEast United FC, he wears his passion for the game on his sleeve.
In one of his interviews to an international website, he said, “I had to decide whether to pursue an educational career or play football. There was no money in sport back then. I chose the educational path and I did my MBA. I became a model after that. Can you believe? Everybody expects models to be walking around like Zoolanders but, fortunately for me, I was educated.”
He does have a regret though. “If I was at that age again and I was given the same choice today between football and education, I probably would have chosen the Indian Super League,” he says.
You may be aware of his sporty and star cred but he has a spiritual side too. An agnostic, he recently met Dalai Lama and said, "The closest that I've ever got to spirituality has been in the presence of his holiness the @dalailama.."
Here’s a tribute to John as he grows a year older. Age is just a number for the brawny star.
(Source: John Abraham)
(This story is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on 17 December 2016. It is being republished to mark John Abraham’s birthday.)
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