John Abraham has always been one of Bollywood's most unique stars because of his style, confidence, and refreshingly grounded nature. Born on 17 December 1972 in Mumbai to a middle-class family, he grew up with dreams that were much bigger than what life around him offered. His father was an architect, his mother was a banker, and John followed a traditional academic path before entering the entertainment industry. He studied and completed his economics degree and even earned an MBA. But destiny pulled him in another direction. John began his career as a model, and soon he became one of India's most recognizable faces in advertising. With his tall frame, captivating eyes, and calm personality, he naturally transitioned into films. His debut in Jism (2003) alongside Bipasha Basu instantly made him popular. But what truly defined him later wasn't just his good looks, but it was his willingness to experiment, take risks, and choose films that weren't always the safe option. John has played a thief, a tough police officer, a comedian, a gangster, a troubled lover, and even a man fighting his inner demons. Here are 8 films that show exactly how versatile John Abraham is, and why he has stayed relevant for over two decades in Bollywood. Dhoom (2004) If there's one film that gave John Abraham the title of Bollywood's coolest villain, it's Dhoom. In this sleek action entertainer, John played Kabir, the leader of a stylish biker gang pulling off high-tech robberies across Mumbai. The film was fresh, fast, and fun, introducing Hindi cinema to a modern action style full of bikes, stunts, and attitude. John's character wasn't just a negative role, he was charming, witty, sharp, and impossible to ignore. Opposite him were Abhishek Bachchan as ACP Jai Dixit and Uday Chopra as Ali, the goofy but lovable assistant. Their cop-vs-gangster dynamic became iconic. John's cool look, hair, and intense presence made Kabir one of Bollywood's most memorable antagonists. Even years later, fans still consider Dhoom one of his best performances and a turning point in his career. Garam Masala (2005) After an intense action role, John surprised everyone by jumping into pure comedy with Garam Masala. Starring alongside Akshay Kumar, he played Sam, a carefree photographer who gets stuck in a hilarious mess involving girlfriends, lies, and endless confusion. This film proved that John wasn't afraid to laugh at himself. His chemistry with Akshay Kumar was one of the biggest highlights, the two created a riot of situations where timing, expressions, and chaos kept the audience entertained. Garam Masala was a light, silly, and super fun movie, and John delivered a laid-back, charming performance that showed his ability to handle comedy with ease. It revealed another side of him, relaxed, goofy, and extremely likable. No Smoking (2007) With No Smoking, John took one of the biggest creative risks of his career. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film was dark, psychological, and far ahead of its time. John played K, a stubborn chain-smoker who enters a bizarre rehabilitation program that completely turns his life upside down. The film wasn't commercial, but it became a cult classic later. John's performance was intense, layered, and disturbing in the best way. He held the entire film together with his controlled acting, showing vulnerability, fear, arrogance, and helplessness, all in one character. Ayesha Takia, Ranvir Shorey, and Paresh Rawal played strong supporting roles, but the film rested mostly on John's shoulders. No Smoking proved that he wasn't afraid to step into unconventional, bold cinema, even if it wasn't guaranteed box-office success. It remains one of his most daring performances. Dostana (2008) With Dostana, John returned to comedy but with a fresh twist. Co-starring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, the film told the story of two men who pretend to be a gay couple just to rent an apartment in Miami. John played Kunal, a cool, charming fashion photographer who ends up in hilarious situations because of their lie. His chemistry with Abhishek became the talk of the nation, funny, adorable, and effortless. Dostana was stylish, youthful, and packed with humour. It became a trendsetter for friendship-based rom-coms. The film also showed John's ease in emotional scenes, especially moments of jealousy, affection, and vulnerability. After Dostana, John proved once again that he is much more than an action star, he can do comedy and romance with natural charm. Force (2011) Force marked John Abraham's return to intense action, but this time with emotion attached. He played ACP Yashvardhan, a tough, fearless narcotics officer with a tragic backstory. The film was filled with raw stunts, heavy fights, and emotional moments.
His pairing with Genelia D'Souza, who played a cheerful, innocent woman named Maya, brought the perfect balance. Their sweet love story added softness to the otherwise high-energy film. But the real highlight was John