It is very important for young Indians to know about the happenings that changed history: John Abraham

According to producer and actor John Abraham, Madras Cafe is neither anti Tamil nor anti Sri Lanka and if it is gainst anything, it is anti-establishment. “It is like renowned American films like JFK and Schindler's List that brought to the fore the seamier sides of the establishment,” he avers. “It is very important for young Indians to know about the happenings that changed history. Sadly history text books in India end with our independence unlike in the US where there is a mention of 9/11 and other contemporary events. We want to make our youth aware of Rajeev Gandhi and Indira Gandhi. Most youngsters only know about Rahul Gandhi,” he adds. John’s character in the film is that of an army officer (Vikram Singh) who conducts covert operations in Sri Lanka. “Personally I don’t approve what America is doing in the rest of the world or what is happening in Kashmir or Sri Lanka. I just show what happened without taking sides,” John says. “Shoojit Sircar researched on the film for six long years before we set out to tell the story. As a producer I always want to make different kind of films. If Vicky Donor was different within the commercial zone, Madras Café belongs to a never before done film grammar,” John informs. The actor further continues, “Being smart filmmakers, we have played safe with the cost. But yes, the films will look like an Rs 50 crore project. However I wish to point out that our political espionage thriller genre is not something which will find a ready audience. It will need to find patrons based on good and word-of-mouth publicity. Hence I will be happy if we start picking up from Monday,” the actor-producer observes. “I am equally clear that I am not making a mass film but something for the multiplex audience. I have no issue with the above Rs 100 crore club. I have been part of such films (Housefull 2) and will continue to be part of it with Dostana 2 etc,” he maintains. Finally John reveals that he had to lose weight and look more agile for the film. “I am not the main hero of the film but just a character. Soojit wanted someone who would not stand out in the crowd but instead do the kind of jobs that is meant to be done by such a character. There are other equally important characters like Nargis Fakhri who plays a journalist and Siddhartha Basu who plays a pivotal role in the tale,” John concludes.