Source: Trans World Features
It is payback time for Hritik Roshan. Just when the critics were all set to write him off as one film wonder, he was back with Koi Mil Gaya. Now shooting in Ladakh for Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya, he finds time to unwind with TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani
Hrithik Roshan's Koi... Mil Gaya has met with an overwhelming response. Both the critics and the audience have loved the film and his performance. The actor who has not registered a solo hit since his debut in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, is understandably on cloud nine. He is back and he well knows it.
Excerpts from an interview:
Koi... Mil Gaya is said to be your second coming?
I don't know. But the response to the film is beyond anything Dad and I had prayed for. People have gone bonkers over my character Rohit. At theatres, I am told that the audience is clapping, dancing and screaming with Rohit. Some of the greatest actors of Bollywood like Rishi Kapoor and Srideviji have told me that they have never seen anything like my performance.
Do you think that you have proved the critics wrong? There were many who said that 'Hrithik is finished'?
I know they said. Yes, I have answered them with Koi... Mil Gaya. I wish that the critics take pains to understand that only the director and actors don't make a movie.
How special was Koi... Mil Gaya?
No star in Bollywood had ever attempted this role. It was a big risk for me, my dad and the film industry. My character had no reference points. There was no film or novel to be inspired by. Everything had to come from within me. I had to work on my hairstyle, body language, speech, everything. It wasn't easy. Dad didn't want me to regress to being a complete child nor did he want me to be autistic. He wanted me to play a normal 11-year old trying to behave like an adult. To add to my difficulty, rather, challenge (laughs), this 11-year-old child I played had to undergo a transformation. I had to tear away bits of Rohit's childhood in every scene in a very subtle manner.
Didn't you have slight problems during the dubbing?
I was also doing three other films -- Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Na Tum Jaano Na Hum -- at the same time. I was tearing my hair before every schedule of Koi... Mil Gaya. I made sure I had at least a day's break to get into the character. But yes, the movie had not been shot in sync and I needed to undergo all the emotions once again so that I get the talking mannerism correct. It took me little more time than usual, that's all.
How did you prepare for the role?
I would check into a hotel. I needed a secluded place where there would be no visitors or calls. I would just sit and go through the script. I think that solitude is a must if you are concentrating on something hard even otherwise. It used to overwhelm me each time. I'd be choked with emotion. I realised the essence of being a child was happiness minus worries. Kids always try to find reasons to get happy and have no anxiety in their head. I sat there in the hotel room trying to make myself happy and relaxed. I binged on chocolates and cakes not caring about my weight. I watched all my favourite films of childhood.
Was the failure of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon telling on you before the release?
If I say no, I would be lying. In fact, that was the only film in my career in which I have not been appreciated.
Why did Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon go bust?
People are changing, evolving and maturing every day. The public has outgrown that phase wherein the dog and the parrot would have been appreciated. If this kind of a subject had come soon after Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, it would have done well. Didn't Hum Saath Saath Hain do well? People consider it a flop, but that's because the collection of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun had become the reference point to judge Sooraj's next attempt. Believe me, if a concept like reincarnation what my Dad depicted in Karan Arjun was released today, it would run to empty houses. Remember, Karan Arjun was a major hit when it was released seven years ago. One should not expect the tastes to remain same forever.
Any other reason?
Maybe also because there were some extra mushy scenes, even the smooching in the car, the car rocking...
Why did it do well overseas?
Rajshri has a very loyal fan following abroad.
Do you sign on only those projects which you believe in?
Yes.
Then why have most of your films flopped? Are you a bad chooser of films?
I am not a bad chooser of films. No actor can make out how the film is shaping up until it is 90 per cent ready. By that time, it is virtually impossible for one to detach himself from the project.
Have you ever erred in your judgement?
Yes. Don't forget that I am a human. I thought Na Tum Jaano Na Hum would click, but it didn't. On post mortem, I think the public could not digest that two people can fall in love via letters.
The public could not even digest the fact that two people can fall in love via email?
If I am not wrong, you are referring to Mujhse Dosti Karoge. That film failed not because Rani and I fall in love via emails, but because I fall in love with Kareena's beauty without bothering that which of the two- Rani or Kareena- was corresponding with me. This jumping of emotion did not go down with the audience at all.
What was Preity Zinta's contribution in the success of Koi... Mil Gaya?
Tremendous. I would have been only half effective if there had been someone else opposite me other than Preity.
You underwent quite a tough period after Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. Noticed something in the industry which you would like to change?
I feel so nauseating to see that many people just love to see other people down. Can I eliminate this sadism?
What is Rakesh Roshan making next?
I am not letting the cat out of the bag so soon. All I would say is that he is working on some ideas.
Is there a wider scope to perform in a home-production than an outside one?
Yes. I always like if my director discusses and tries out various ways and means to deliver a scene. I cannot force this issue with outside directors. There are lots of stakes involved. Time is an important factor. During a home-production, I don't have a burden on my head. I know the money is mine and I can utilise it to the best of my knowledge.
God forbid, but if Koi... Mil Gaya had failed?
(Interrupts) I would have been totally heartbroken and demotivated. Perhaps, I would have changed my profession.
Tell us about Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya?
I am not supposed to talk about it (laughs).
All said and done, how are you feeling now?
Before Koi…Mil Gaya’s first preview, I couldn't sleep. Now, I'm sleeping much better.