John has no leading lady in his next project Rocky Handsome. But it's not because his characters loves only himself.
Informs Nishikant, "Apart from John there is one other pivotal character, a male associate to John's character. And they share very close bonding. But no leading lady, not even for the songs. I will have three songs in the film. But they'd all be in background."
Not that Nishikant is uncomfortable with songs. "I didn't have lip-sync songs in any of my earlier films until recently in my Marathi film Lai Bhaari which Riteish Deshmukh has produced. He also plays the lead. Though it's not a comedy it's a much lighter film than my earlier films Mumbai Meri Jaan, Force or my first film Dombivali Fast which was in Marathi."
Kamat feels the glamour, songs and cast including the female lead must not be dictated by the box office. "I do understand numbers. I know box office figures are important. And Rocky Handsome is my most expensive film to date. But I can't be looking anxiously over my shoulder every time I write a script."
John is a part of the growing breed of heroine-less heroes in Bollywood. The trend started way back in 1973 when Dharmendra appeared solo in Nasir Hussain's Yaadon Ki Baaraat. Recently in Vijay Krishna Acharya's Dhoom 3 Abhishek Bachchan had no leading lady.
Nishikant feels leading ladies to be redundant in an action film, unless they are catalysts to the action.
Explains Nishikant, "Not that Rocky Handsome would lack an emotional content in a leading lady's absence. There would be a very strong emotional conflict between John's character and the other male protagonist."
John, says Nishikant, is quite happy being heroine-less in Rocky Handsome.
Says the director, "John has matured beyond recognition in recent times. He is ready to stick his neck out as a producer and an actor. Last year Madras Cafe proved it. I really liked John in Madras Cafe."
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