Kunal Avanti is all set to make his feature-film debut as a creator and producer with Test Subject V, a feature-length documentary directed by Sol Kohli. Presented by John Abraham, the film follows Avanti’s deeply personal journey as he begins questioning long-held beliefs about food, health and compassion. What starts as the story of an ordinary Indian man living comfortably within his routines gradually evolves into an introspective exploration of the choices, habits and values that shape us.Talking about the film, Avanti says the team was clear that they didn’t want to make a documentary that preached to its audience. Instead, they wanted storytelling to drive the conversation. “The idea was to explore an important subject, but the reality is that confronting ourselves can be uncomfortable. Most people switch off the moment they feel judged or lectured. So it was important for us to tell the story in a way that was entertaining, relatable and emotionally engaging, while still leaving audiences with something to think about. Keeping people invested from beginning to end was just as important as the conversation we hoped the film would spark,” he says.One of the biggest endorsements for the documentary, which is set to drop on JioHotstar on July 18, came when John Abraham agreed to present the film. Recalling how the collaboration came about, Avanti says, “I approached John through a friend of a friend. He graciously gave me his time and listened with incredible patience and respect. For someone trying to make their first feature, that’s not something you take for granted.“He adds that Abraham’s faith in the film went far beyond lending his name to it. “What struck me most was how genuinely invested he was in the story and its larger purpose. Beyond his guidance and support, there was a real willingness to help a film he believed could contribute something positive to the conversation. His involvement gave the project tremendous credibility and helped us reach audiences we would not otherwise have reached. I am forever grateful to John Abraham.”In a chat with us, John opened up about why he chose to back Test Subject V. “What drew me in was its honesty. At its heart, this isn’t a film that’s trying to tell people what to believe — it’s one person’s journey of discovery. I found that incredibly genuine,” the actor had said.John had also spoken about his growing interest in documentaries as a powerful storytelling medium. “Audiences today are more curious than ever. When a film tells a compelling story and presents different perspectives with sincerity, it naturally encourages people to reflect on their own lives. Whether someone agrees or disagrees isn’t the point. If a documentary gets you thinking, discussing and asking questions, it’s already achieved something meaningful,” he concluded.
