Bollywood heartthrob-cum-producer John Abraham, the co-owner of Delhi Waveriders (DWR) team which was crowned the Hockey India league 2014 (HIl-2) Champion at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda AstroTurf Hockey Stadium on Sunday, is glad to be associated with his team. In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer on Monday he expressed his misfortune to depart without meeting his good friend MS Dhoni, the Indian cricket team captain.Excerpts:
Your team won on Sunday, you must be happyIJ
I am feeling relieved and happy. It’s my first outing as a team co-owner and I am happy with the team I am associated with. I think the boys played a fabulous game regarding their chances and game. We deserved to win against Punjab Warriors team who too played as a true champion as well.
How is your movie life goingIJ
Movie life is going good. At present I am concentrating on production and on films I am acting on. Basically, I am producing and acting side by side. So, it’s a combination of both.
Tell us about your new movieIJ
My latest film is Welcome Back. The shooting is going on. Probably, the shoot will conclude by July or August. In the meantime, I am starting another film called Rocky Handsome which is my own production. Director of movie Force Nishikant Kamat is directing here. Then, I am doing one more film with Shoojit Sircar named 1911 which is a true story about a football match which is set to go on floors
this October.
Which one is your favouriteIJ Hockey or FootballIJ
I have an inclination towards sports in general.
How is your married life goingIJ
Ahhh... It is going fine. I guess we should concentrate more on the topic of sports.
What prospect do you find in Hockey, especially in IndiaIJ
I must give credit to Ranchi for organising an amazing tournament. It is encouraging that the crowd turned up in such big numbers. Ranchi crowd’s brilliant. They reacted to the game very well. Ranchi Rhinos played for the third or fourth place and they won. Infact, those guys stayed back and watched the final match between Punjab and Delhi. It was very satisfying that the crowd being equally supportive to Punjab and Delhi.
Your views on Ranchi cityIJ
I had a great time. The people here are lovely. Then my good friend Dhoni belongs to this city. So, it’s always special to come to a friend’s hometown. Unfortunately, we could not meet but I will be happy to see him soon.
Are you looking forward to visit Ranchi againIJ
Of Course! It is a lovely place. It is for the first time I was here. Earlier, I have been Ranchi on transit on the way to Jamshedpur.