We have Sylvester Stallone to thank for John Abraham

Actor John Abraham said Hollywood superstar Sylvester Stallone influenced his life in a huge way and motivated him to join films.

"Sylvester Stallone actually influenced my life to a large extent. In a way, he is a role model for me.... I believe there is a little bit of Stallone in me," John told IANS on telephone from Mumbai.

The Dishoom (2016) star said it was because of the Cliffhanger (1993) star that he entered the Hindi film industry.

"A lot of people don't know that Sylvester Stallone is the reason I got into films," said John, who has featured in several action films. "I saw his film Rocky 4, a boxing film, and was enamoured by the fact that a man could look so tough and fight another tough guy.

"I said 'I need to be tough' and went to the corner of the street and started having bananas to put on weight. I was still in college at that time."

On the work front, John will next be seen in Force 2, which also stars Sonakshi Sinha and Tahir Raj Bhasin.