I’ve found my secure space: John Abraham :)

He's in a happy state of mind now, he says. And looks like John Abraham means it, as he opens up about all that's on his mind these days, including how it doesn't matter whether his movies do well at the box-office or not.

"There is no harm in failing - but you need the guts to take failure in your stride. Movie chale, ya na chale, it really doesn't bother me. Have I given it my best? Yes. That's it for me. I've seen such bleak days that I wouldn't want to be back there again, and I have seen success like no one else too," says John, adding, "I've done all sorts of films - from a "7 Khoon Maaf" and an "Aashayein", to an intense " New York" to a "Dostana" and a " Garam Masala". Some of them worked and some didn't. I've worked with the new lot of directors, who think differently about cinema, and those established names as well. I also did a film like Anurag Kashyap's "No Smoking", which had no commercial takers, but found critical acclaim nevertheless. I haven't done regular stuff, and so, I must be ready for the risks that come with it. I'm at a stage where I don't like doing regular. Regular is boring."


Talking about his body, he says, "I weighed a 100 kg when I was shooting for "Force". Now, I'm losing weight. It isn't easy - neither building nor losing. Nishikant (director of "Force") told me that he wanted an international action hero's body, like Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky". And I did that. Now, I'm eight kilos down, but for Sanjay Gupta's "Shootout at Wadala" I will have to build up again." Talking about Gupta, is it true that he met real underworld people to give his film authenticity? "Oh yes. He's like that - meticulous. He met Dawood's brother," says John.

But on a personal note, what matters the most - mental strength or physical? "Mental strength - that's the most important. Of course, the visual idea of strength, the body, also matters, but mental strength is what gives one the grit to pull through. And mental strength, for me, lies in the eyes. You can look into one's eyes and gauge their real strength," says he. And he's mentally strong, isn't he? "Yes. I have been through a lot, but now, I am a secure individual. And after 20 years in the industry, I've found my secure space too... If I weren't mentally strong, I would not have ploughed on, when as an outsider," An outsider? "It's difficult to make one understand, but there's so much of nepotism in B-wood. After a Shah Rukh or an Akshay Kumar, tell me one person not from a filmi family who has survived in the industry. Not one."

Talking of family, he's single, and every time Bipasha's name crops up, he's neatly sidestepped it. "Yes, I can choose not to comment. Look at it this way: It's more than a year to that part or phase of my life. And I am not the kind to look back. I have moved on." Moved on, meaning? "Moving on means exactly that. Everyone does that in life - moves on. Yes, I'm now single. And no, that doesn't mean I am consciously seeking out potential candidates. But definitely, if I find the right woman, I would marry her tomorrow. But I am not planning out my personal life right now. I am planning my career. I have "Desi Boyz", and "Housefull 2" and after that, "Race 2" and the movie I am producing, "I, Me Aur Main"," says the actor.