Rimi Sen Says John Abraham ‘Didn’t Know Acting’ Early On: 'He Knew Where He Lacked And Played Smart’

Actor Rimi Sen, who rose to fame with popular comedies like Hera Pheri, Hungama and Golmaal, has been making headlines again—this time for stepping away from acting and moving to Dubai to start a real

estate business. In a recent podcast appearance, where many fans found her almost unrecognisable, Rimi spoke candidly about her time in Bollywood and reflected on her Dhoom co-star John Abraham’s career choices.

Speaking to Buildcaps, Rimi stressed the importance of self-awareness, saying that recognising one’s limitations can be more powerful than focusing only on strengths, “A human being focuses on his positive point, but if someone knows their limitation, that this is my problem, and if they work on that, then that person goes a long way,” she said.

‘John Abraham Knew His Limitations’

Citing John Abraham as a prime example, Rimi recalled how he handled criticism in the early years of his career, “In the beginning of his career, he was a model, he didn’t know how to act, people used to talk. He didn’t say anything,” she shared.

According to Rimi, John made calculated choices that worked in his favour, “He picked the type of roles in which he is looking proper, where he doesn’t have to act much, mostly chose action films. He did things that made him look good, so that people can’t question what he was doing. He was a very intelligent actor, I must say,” she said.

She added that popularity and experience eventually helped him evolve as a performer, “Then, when he gained popularity and people started recognising him, and dheere dheere karte karte insaan acting seekh hi jaata hai,” Rimi explained.

From Model To Actor To Producer

John Abraham began his journey as a successful model before making his acting debut with Jism in 2003. Rimi noted that once he gained confidence in front of the camera, he began choosing roles that allowed him to explore performance more deeply, “You gain the experience in front of the camera after a while. After that, he took up roles that give him a chance to act. He was strategically correct, he knew his limitations,” she said.

Praising his long-term vision, she added, “I know him personally and I feel he is a very intelligent actor. He became a businessman, came into production, even gave hit films that have credibility.”

Rimi Sen On Quitting Acting And Moving To Dubai

In the same podcast, Rimi also spoke about her decision to quit acting and relocate to Dubai to focus on her real estate venture. Talking about life in the UAE, she said, “Dubai is very welcoming, which is why 95% of the population here consists of expatriates, while the rest are Emiratis.”

She went on to praise the city’s inclusivity and governance, “Dubai has welcomed everyone warmly, there are mosques here, there are temples too. They think about everyone, and the city’s major focus is on how to make people’s lives better, easier, and more comfortable,” she said.

Drawing a contrast with India, Rimi added,
“This is something we don’t really see in our country, because the government keeps changing policies overnight, making people’s lives more difficult. There are thousands of taxes, endless complications, and it is no longer a business-friendly nation.”