Director Shoojit Sircar feels roping in the actor as producer will make industry folk sit up and notice his film

John Abraham turned real hero when he stepped in to back Shoojit Sircar's forthcoming film on sperm donation, given that the director's film, Johnny Mastana with Amitabh Bachchan is yet to see the light of the day. With no star cast as such and an offbeat subject that is considered a taboo in society, having John on board for Shoojit meant having industry folk sit up and notice the film.

Recalling John coming on board for this movie, Shoojit tells us that after completing the script and actor Ayushman Khurana he was talking to prospective producers when a common friend stepped in.

"Producer Ram Mirchandani took me to meet John, saying he wanted to start his production house. Interestingly, John and I were previously talking about a movie together. This time, I told him about the story, he got interested and said he'd produce it, " says Sircar.

Another film on the anvil

Interestingly, the director is also planning another film with John. Shoojit says, "It's a political thriller that I'll produce with John. He'll also be acting in it with Ayushman."

On the backburner

The filmmaker also tells us that this is his first film that didn't face any hurdle, unlike his debut Yahaan and then the Bachchan starrer. Reportedly, the second film got stuck after a legal wrangle when a Hollywood studio sues the producers for infringement of their copyright for a Manoj Night Shyamalan script they own.

"The script was developed by Rensil D'Silva and I was assigned to direct the film, " he shrugs, adding that his movie with Bachchan will always look fresh.

A frustrating wait

"It has its own charm and freshness, " he asserts, conceding that waiting for the film's release has been frustrating.

"Mr Bachchan and the team shot the film for over a year. The technicians have worked hard on the movie. So I hope whenever it happens, it will be good, " he maintains.