Bollywood actor John Abraham revealed that he was often encouraged to use his Irani name ‘Farhan’ in the early days of his career.
John said that he never wanted to change his name despite people pushing him to do so, as he had been baptized as John Abraham, reports The Indian Express.
Speaking in a recent interview John said, “There was a movie called Aitbaar before Jism, the producer asked me, ‘John, don’t you have another name?’ So I responded, ‘Yes I know John Abraham sounds like a person who has pizzas and burgers in his house and who cannot fit in here’, like a British.”
“I do have an Irani name, Farhan. A lot of people said, why don’t you use Farhan in films? The Khans are doing well, there’s Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan, there can be a Farhan,” he added.
When he was asked if he would have been a Farhan Khan, he replied, “Farhan Irani, because my mother’s maiden name is Irani. But I have been baptized, and my name is John, and I am proud of my name. Why should I change my name for anybody in this world?”
During the course of the conversation, Bollywood actor revealed his difficulties as an outsider, and said that he created a ‘niche’ for himself. “Niche, I’ve been told by directors, and if others are rice and bread, I am caviar, but I realised that it means I won’t get roles like others.”
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
