John Abraham made his debut in the Hindi film industry in 2003 with Jism. Since then, he has been the heartthrob of the nation. One can even say that he brought the ‘sexy’ back in Bollywood with his amazing physique and fit body. Before delving into acting, John had even done modelling for a few years. He featured in a music video, Surma by Jazzy B, and in 1999 went on to win a national beauty pageant, earning the right to represent India at the international contest Manhunt International where he ended up as the first runners up.
He went on to do several modelling assignments, ad campaigns and music videos before making it to the big screen. But did you know that the actor, whose looks have made every person in this country swoon over him since 2003, once wasn’t even sure if he had the face to make it here?
Ace celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani reveals that he was actually the person to give John a nudge towards the showbiz and seems like he had a keen eye even almost two decades back. Earlier in an exclusive conversation with Spotboye.com, Dabboo had revealed how he was responsible for Hrithik getting his first break, and with John as well, the story is kind of similar.
Dabboo goes on to share his first experience with John. “He was a junior to me in school and he had come to me for a portfolio. He wanted to become a model in those days, and this is from the time before he became one, but had his doubts. He asked me if I thought he had the looks and the face to become a model, while he already had a job with an ad agency. So, I am the reason he quit his job with that ad agency and the reason that he became a model and then an actor,” he reveals.
The photographer shares that even John acknowledges the part Dabboo has played in his career and that is why their friendship and professional relationship has been running smoothly for years. “If you ask John even today, he would also agree that I was the first person to encourage him to become a model and an actor. He was worried about getting work or if he had the face to be in the Indian modelling scene and the film industry, and I was the first person to give him insight into that,” Dabboo concludes.
Image source: SpotboyE archives, Instagram/dabbooratnani