OPINION: Decoding John Abraham in Dhoom who didn’t believe in ‘ishq’ and why he is the best villain in YRF series

OPINION: Decoding John Abraham in Dhoom who didn't believe in 'ishq' and why he is the best villain in YRF series

As a kid growing up in the early 2000s, I was absolutely captivated by the Dhoom series, and to this day, it remains one of my all-time favorite films! The adrenaline-pumping bike chase sequences were nothing short of revolutionary, and they still give me goosebumps. But among all the characters in the franchise, none have left a lasting impression on me quite like John Abraham’s Kabir Sharma.


Over time, the action-packed film “Dhoom” by Yash Raj Films has gained a status as a cult classic since its debut in 2004. The movie remains beloved for its thrilling motorcycle chase scenes that provide an exciting adrenaline rush. Initially, the concept of a villain riding high-speed bikes and robbing banks seemed almost implausible. However, YRF dared to create such a character and introduced us to John Abraham as Kabir Sharma, a clever and charismatic antagonist who believed no one could breach his rules, not even himself. “Mere rules koi nahi tod sakta … main bhi nahi!” This line might ring a bell, right? It’s John Abraham who delivers the best villainous performance in Dhoom. Here are some reasons why:

Hrithik Roshan delivered an impressive performance as the antagonist in Dhoom 2, while Aamir Khan brought double the fun with his dual roles in Dhoom 3. Nevertheless, it’s John Abraham who sets the standard as the original villain in the Dhoom series. In the first film, his character, Kabir, is a genius strategist who remains relentless and focused on his mission until its completion.

In stark contrast to Hrithik’s character Aryan Singh in the sequel series, he doesn’t have a romantic subplot. Unlike Aryan, who prioritizes his love interest Sunehri over his criminal activities, thereby blurring the lines of his villainous role, our protagonist jumps off a cliff, leaving viewers questioning if he will reappear. In this story, Hrithik plays an antihero while John assumes the role of the true villain.

In the early 2000s, John Abraham’s character, Kabir Sharma, who rode Hayabusa – one of the fastest motorcycles globally in Dhoom, established a trend in India. His distinctive long hair, leather jackets, and racing bikes were the driving forces behind this phenomenon. Women were captivated by his charisma, while men aspired to emulate his fashion sense. As a result, it is said that sales of sports bikes increased significantly in India.

With Ranbir Kapoor confirmed as the antagonist in upcoming movie Dhoom 4, director Aditya Chopra thinks that Kapoor is perfectly suited to continue the Dhoom franchise’s legacy. According to earlier reports from TopMob, we eagerly await him reaching the standard set by the original villain, John Abraham.

Let’s hope that Ranbir Kapoor delivers a strong portrayal, much like an “alpha” with nuances of grey, as seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. We eagerly anticipate him bringing the same depth to his negative character in Dhoom 4.

Among all the stellar performances in the Dhoom series, it’s undeniable that John Abraham shines brightest as the most captivating villain. Full stop.

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2024-09-30 17:09