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John Abraham: I do not have fear of failure

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With an 18-year career in Bollywood that is filled with some of unusual choices of films that hold strong recall value, John Abraham is trying to cater both sections of audience – urban and mass. The actor says, he does not have the fear of failure and that drives him to take risks.

The actor is known for ‘Jism’,’Dhoom’, ‘Dostana’, ‘New York’, ‘Kabul Express’, to ‘Madras Cafe’, ‘Parmanu’, ‘Batla House’ and the latest released ‘Satyamev Jayate 2’.

While some of the above-mentioned films are very clearly commercial potboilers and some are much loved by the urban audience, asked if he has any strategy to make such choices, in conversation with IANS John opens his heart.

John told IANS : “I think the only strength that I have in my career since the beginning is, I have no fear of failure. Initially, there was a list of films that I did that were ahead of their time. So they did not work for the larger audience immediately after the release. I was ok with it. I also knew from the beginning that, every story has its set audience.

“If not instantly, eventually the story will find its audience. So, there are films that I did and that earned a lot of money at the box office, which wasn’t something I was expecting when I was making the film. I never put myself under pressure imagining the negative result of the end product. ‘Zyada se zyada kya hoga’, it won’t work for the audience, right? Ok, we will move on to the next film. I live film to film and keep moving on.”

His latest released film ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’, a Milap Zaveri directorial is a sequel to ‘Satyameva Jayate’.

How the new film picks up at the box office, one has to wait and watch.

Meanwhile, John shared some of the films that are very close to his heart.

‘Jism’: Released in 2003 the film received a lot of love and appreciation from the critics and audience alike. John said, “It will always remain a special film for me because it was my debut. My favourite song ‘Awarapan Banjarapan’! it was first time I got so much adulation from the audience. I realised how my long hair and physicality became a rage among youngstars but for me, back then, I was just a guy passionate about storytelling. Trust me, I am still the same.”

‘Dostana’: One of the most successful films that came out of Dharma Productions in 2008 featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, the film had a humorous take on the gay relationships. “When I read the script, I just found it funny. I was laughing throughout the reading season. That was it for me to come on board and do the film. Yes, the rest is history! But I wasn’t very calculative about it. I was going with the flow,” said John.

‘Dhoom’: Released in 2004 the first instalment of the franchise John, who played the traditional ‘bad guy’, really changed the image of the villain. Again, his physicality and passion for bikes created a rage among a whole new generation due to the success of the film. “When I look back I wonder how that magic happened really because I am the bad guy, I had no track of love story or song picturised on my in the film.

“All I had is the character and my bike! While I couldn’t predict the end result of the film that turned out so successful, I would go back to my earlier point, I had no fear of failure. You see, that is the point, my driving force,” said the actor.

Quite interestingly in all these films that become cult, John has received a lot of appreciation for his strong screen presence and good looks. Be it his bare body, long hair look in ‘Jism’, flaunting his biceps and walking around the Miami beach in ‘Dostana’ and biking in ‘Dhoom’.

Does the good looks put him into the box of non-actor, in the eyes of the critics?

“Hey, but I am the same guy who did a film called ‘New York’, a very important story that was. I did ‘Water’, ‘Madras Cafe’ and ‘Kabul Express’ too. I did a film called ‘Zinda’, ‘Force’…well the list is long and I am not being defensive here. I am trying to say in the initial stage of my career when I did those films, ‘subtle acting’ was not a trend then. So, the performance wasn’t noticed perhaps but those films are still watched and loved! Now, I am trying to reach out to every section of the audience, my choice of films is a reflection of that”, John signed off.

Bollywood

India release of Korean thriller ‘Hope’ pushed to October 23

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Mumbai, Sep 29: The release of the much-talked-about upcoming Korean sci-fi thriller ‘HOPE’ has been pushed.

The drama, which was originally scheduled to be out in the cinema halls in India on September 25 this year, will now get a theatrical release on October 23, 2026.

The release was delayed so that there is sufficient time for the requisite screening of the film and certification process by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Now, the English version of the movie has been approved by the CBFC without any cuts, whereas the certification process for its Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions is presently underway.

Presented by Plus M Entertainment and backed by Forged Films, along with, Plus M Entertainment and Westworld, the drama is being released in India via Star Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

The worldwide release for ‘HOPE’ is slated for November this year.

Meanwhile, the project will premiere in the UK, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland this week. Following this, it will be out in Argentina, Germany, France and Spain in October, along with other international markets.

‘HOPE’ has been made under the direction of Na Hong-jin, the renowned filmmaker known for his work in ‘The Chaser’, ‘The Yellow Sea’ and ‘The Wailing’.

Set in a remote port town, the film talks about what happens when they discovery an unidentified object, triggering a mysterious and dangerous chain of events.

‘HOPE’ enjoys an ensemble cast led by Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Kitsch, along with others.

‘Hope’ had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

The drama has become the highest-grossing Korean film in the US, crossing USD 7 million.

While Hong Kyung-pyo is on board as the cinematographer, Kim Sun-min is the head of the editing department.

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Shilpa Shinde says Salman Khan would’ve ‘sorted out’ Shivangi Joshi, heaps praise on Qazi Touqeer, Mahhi Vij

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Mumbai, Sep 29: Actress Shilpa Shinde has praised Salman Khan for the previous ‘Bigg Boss 20’ Weekend Ka Vaar episode, where the superstar slammed trolls and shared that she wished he was in the previous show she did so he could have “sorted out” contestant Shivangi Joshi, whom she cryptically calls “Annabella”.

Shilpa took to Instagram, where she shared a video backing contestants Qazi Touqeer and Mahhi Vij, calling their approach to the game “very straightforward” and “real”.

In the clip, she said: “I hope you are watching Bigg Boss. I watched Bigg Boss, especially the weekend episode. The episode I watched last Saturday, my God, my heart is so cold.”

She added: I wish I had played Salman Khan in the show I just did. Then I would have beaten Anabella. I would have never said that your game is very good. But what can I say, I enjoyed it so much. My heart is so cold after watching the weekend episode.”

“And I don’t know why, the whole house is behind me with Qazi and Mahhi.”

Shilpa said that “it’s very real, it’s a reality show. Whatever you are, you look. And these people are not bad at all. They are playing very straightforwardly. So I want everyone to like them, support them because they are real.”

“The rest of the people seem to be hiding something from themselves. There is something and show something else. But anyways, I enjoyed it a lot. Salman Ji, you made my heart happy. I missed you a lot in this lock-up show. And this is especially for you, for Salman Ji.”

Talking about Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, was hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. The grand finale streamed on 5 August 2026, where Shreya Kalra won the season and received a cash prize of Rs. 1 crore, and Shivangi Joshi finished as the runner-up.

Meanwhile, the 20th edition of Bigg Boss started on September 6. It has a diverse lineup of 16 celebrity contestants including names such as MC Mary Kom, Kanika Mann, Mahhi Vij, Kushal Tanwar, Aman Gandhi, Isha Rikhi, Arishfa Khan, Qazi Touqeer, Asif Khan, Aamrapali Dubey, Rhiti Tiwari, Uditi Singh, Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP, Yung DSA and Love Gill.

The show airs on JioHotstar and Colors.

Bigg Boss is an Indian Hindi-language reality television show of the Bigg Boss franchise in India that airs on Colors TV. It is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother. The 20th edition started on September 6.

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wears crown at PFW, joins Celine Dion, Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria and Simone Ashley on stage

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Mumbai, Sep 29: Global icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked the runway at the Paris Fashion Week alongside some of the biggest names from the international entertainment and fashion fraternity.

The actress attended the Paris Fashion Week, held at Place Joffre against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on September 28.

The show brought together global ambassadors and personalities including Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, Céline Dion, Simone Ashley, Viola Davis, Jane Fonda, Cara Delevingne and Andie MacDowell.

The actress along with the other global icons was seen having a blast on the stage and was seen wearing the crown as she walked the ramp.

Aishwarya wore a deep velvet creation, featuring elaborate detailing and a crystal-embellished cape. Her newly showcased burgundy-red hair added a striking contemporary element.

Many reactions online referred to Aishwarya as “royalty” and even praised her appearance at the Paris event.

In another video, Eva Longoria and Aishwarya were captured sharing a warm moment backstage.

The actress was recently spotted at the Mumbai international airport as she made her way to the airport and headed to Paris for the event.

Aishwarya’s association with global fashion and cinema events dates back to her Cannes debut in 2002.

Back then, she arrived at the festival for the premiere of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas, which was screened at the prestigious festival.

Accompanied by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-star Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya made a memorable entrance in a traditional yellow saree, with the trio arriving in a horse-drawn carriage.

The following year, she returned to the festival as a member of the feature-film jury, becoming the first Indian actress to serve in that role.

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