MUMBAI: When I was told about the story I'm supposed to with John Abraham for The Autocar show, I was at a loss. Throw me a car and I'd know what to do with it, but what was I supposed to do with a Bollywood superstar? Yup, he’s a biker boy, but there’re no more stories there.

Then I was told he’s just bought a Maruti Gypsy! Being a girl who literally grew up in one, it got me thinking. With all the rib rattling I did in it, I sort of understand why no one prefers to buy one today. So when a Bollywood hunk like John goes ahead and gets himself one, there has to be story behind it.

The Gypsy enthralled me once more, but surprise of the day was John!! No mega star attitude here, instead he’s a boy who’s passionate about adventure, outdoors and his cars & bikes. I call him ‘boy’, because looks and muscle-power aside, he comes across as a teenager in love with his machines!

He was excited and animated while talking about his latest acquisition, the Gypsy. He clapped like a child when he saw the cops catching bikers riding without helmets. He didn’t hesitate one bit when he told me about his ‘crush’ and ‘first date’!  “She was like a wild horse” he said! He even told me why he ascribes feminine gender to all his vehicles!

John also turned the interview the other way around and asked me a few things! That was the ‘boy’ in John, but there was another side too. One that told us, what ‘hurts’ his bike! Why he won’t take his Audi Q7 off road, how he has his fair share of typical Bawa traits and why he and his man Friday fight to take control over the wheel!

I went in for this rendezvous with much apprehension, but as it turned out, I had a lot of fun doing it. I even promised to do a rally with him!

I will let you in on a secret; it wasn’t quite so much of John as the Gypsy that got me all fired up again. Still I must admit, John’s passion for anything on wheels made me see him differently. Though, I didn’t go into this interview as a fan, his down to earth attitude and respect for automobiles turned me into one.