Source: Masala M
Typed and Submitted By: Vanita
Hrithik Roshan aka Hrithik Nagrath (Roshan is actually borrowed from his grandfather Roshanlal) was an overnight superstar but that was four years ago. With almost every other film flopping, Hrithik was only able to stop his dictators after Koi Mil Gaya did the jadoo with his career.
The superstar who is now back with Lakshya says he too has an ambition, to meet Hollywood stars one day and even perhaps work with them.
Here he talks in an exclusive interview with Viral Bhayani in Mumbai.
Do you identify with your character in Lakshya?
Karan makes a choice, joins the army, grows up and learns about loyalty, strength of character and courage. A boy ends the journey as a victorious man. I think the soldier is the perfect man- he’s got everything and does so much for us. That one statement instantly put me at ease. For the first time in my life I could be myself in front of the camera. I did identify with the character. In fact when I asked Farhan [Akhtar] what the reference was for karan’s character, he said, ‘ I want you to be you’. Then it wasn’t hard to do, because when I was 17/18 yrs old, even I was at a crossroad in my life.
Lakshya is about a boys search for his identity. Would you say your own experiences in the last three years have lent dept to your performance?
I agree that what a person goes though makes him the person he becomes. In the last three years I’ve experienced a lot. And with every hardship I have learnt about my skills and myself. Had I don’t Lakshya immediately after Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai I might perhaps not been able to portray Karan Shergil as deeply or as intelligently as I was able to so. Maybe If I had done the film five years from now the perspective would have been even more intelligent. There are actors who are natural performers, who are born to act and I’m not one of them. I’m always conscious of the fact that I don’t have that kind of talent. Its only hard work and commitment that has got me where I am today.
What was your experience like working on the film?
I am quite embarrassed at how little I know about the army life when I started Lakshya. I read books on the Kargil war to prepare myself. We also went through boot camp and obstacle courses training. Then we had to get used to the altitude of Ladakh (where we shot). At the end of ever run an oxygen tank would be waiting for us. It was bitter cold- minus 14C during the filming. At that height, when you’re almost freezing to death, your co-ordination is not so good. And up there, at the top pf the peak were I was standing, the Indian flag in my hand, there was just one square foot of space. One false step and I’d go over the edge. There was no harness or safety cord. I knew I could die but at least I would die with my boots on. At the end of the shooting, I was taking autographs of the jawanas- I think they are true heroes, but they wanted my autographs.
You have received several awards for Koi Mil Gaya. How do you feel?
I am satisfied and relieved that all the hard work, experimentation and the risks paid of well. I am glad that the audiences accepted me in the role of an autistic boy, which is by no stretch of imagination a regular Bollywood hero role. This has confirmed my belief that cinema- goers appreciate a good film irrespective of the fact that the story is offbeat.
Is there a wider scope to perform in a home-production than an outside one?
Yes. I always prefer if my director discusses a role and tries out various ways and means to deliver a scene. I cannot force this issue with all directors. There are a lot of issues involved and time is an important factor. In a home-production, I don’t have the burden on my head. I know the money is mine and I can utilize it to the best of my knowledge.
Will you be working in a sequel to Koi Mil Gaya?
Dad has three or four ideas he’s working on at moment but there’s nothing concrete yet. If the script is exciting, I will surely be doing that film.
Did success affect you negatively?
Frankly I haven’t had the time to let success affect me at all. The last few years have gone like a flash.
What kept you going through your rough phase?
During those days I would keep telling myself hat I had the guts to face all kinds of adversity. There’s an old English says that the finest of steel as to go through the hottest fire. Now that I am through all that fire I feel wonderful and absolutely on top of the world.
During this time did you analyze your decisions?
Lets talk straight, and I’ll tell you my side of the story. Lets take one film at a time. Fiza was released after KNPH and was successful. It was a great feeling to be acclaimed critically because earlier everyone said I looked too good; I danced too well, my physique was great- everything except my acting abilities. Fiza gave me the recognition as an actor. Then came Mission Kashmir: I signed the film before KNPH was released. Since KNPH was a hit, my character was altered and I was make to do all these matrix style stunts. That took away from the original concept of the film. I did Yaadein because Subash Ghai wanted to do a movie with me. He never disclosed anything to anyone till the shooting began. Actually we were all puppets on the sets and did what we were told. As a result things didn’t work out the way they usually do in a Subash Ghai film. Then came Aap Mujhe Ache Lagne Lage. It was an attempt to cash on the success of KNPH. The filmmakers wanted to have Amisha as my co-star due to the success of KNPH and there was no thought given to the storyline. It bombed at the box-office, as it was not a good film. K3G was a smash hit but it would be unfair to give the credit of its success should go to any single person. The credit of the film should go to everyone. Na Tum Jano Na Hum was a very good subject, but I feel that it came 10 years too late. In the time of e-mails and Internet the lead pair was sending letters through the snail mail. The next film, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, took the audience for granted and we paid the price. I wouldn’t call Main Prem KI Deewani Hoon a flop, as it is still running in the theaters. Sooraj Barjatya experimented by doing a film in a modern setting. Though it has not been expected on the scale of his previous movies it cannot be called a flop.
What’s your idea of recharging your batteries?
Oh, it’s quite boring. I prefer to go on a holiday and re-access all that I have done in the past years and incorporate some new skills in myself as an actor. I try to learn from the mistakes that I have made and come back a more mature actor.
Surely that’s not your idea of a fun holiday?
No, no I have other things on my mind. Maybe I’ll learn the guitar. I wanted to do that but haven’t had the time. Maybe this holiday I’ll do just that.
Tell us about your most memorable moments with your wife Suzanne?
There was so much work pressure that it was just possible to take a break and go for a honeymoon when we got married. I was doing 19 shows and constantly jetting from one city and one time zone to the other. The only time I had was a gap between few shows and that’s when Suzanne and I took time off for a honeymoon. Would you believe it, in our six years of courtship and two years of marriage, this was the first time it was just two of us together for so many days! We took a flight from Calgary to Los Angeles and made out way to a hotel in Santa Monica, which had these wonderful cottages by the beach. The place is very popular with Hollywood stars who want to get away from crowds. In the morning, Suzanne and I used to get into our shots and cycle to the gym. It’s said to be the biggest in the world and I freaked out in it. We went shopping in malls too and no one recognized us. It was great fun. Those three days were sheer bliss.
You recently went to Maldives too…
I had a break between the last schedule of Lakshya and it was my first vacation in five years. I had a blast, because it is very important to live a life beyond the sets. It is important that one must live in an island like the Maldives- get introduced to new cultures and meet new people from different parts of the world and learn from them. The place is heaven on earth. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort at Kunda Huraa in Maldives. They have a private coral island, fringed with white sand and crystal water- the experience is too good to be true. Though I have traveled extensively mostly with my crew, the Maldives has become my favorite destination.
Would you like to have children?
I would eventually have some day!
Are you a fan of any Hollywood celebrity?
Yes most certainly. I have grown up watching Hollywood films but never had the opportunity to meet one. In fact I would be very excited to meet any of the big names- somehow I never really met any celebrities. I really admire Jim Carrey, Steve Martin, Sylvester Stallone, Al Pachino, Julia Roberts and Beyonce.
Do you ever cook for Suzanne?
I can cook but I never had an opportunity to cook for her, but she cooks some amazing Italian dishes and deserts for me.
Do you have a lot in common?
Both of us love music and she is a huge fan of Madonna. Whenever we travel she always makes a point to pick some great cd’s. I don’t have fav artists and miss an opportunity to freely a CD shop locally! Actually, both of us have a lot in common. We agree on many things that we almost think alike. She often tells me I am too naïve, and that I trust people too much, but then, so does she. We also love eating and exercising! We both believe in fitness and have a follow a strict routine. We talk a lot and discuss everything under the sun. We often discuss how even our worst qualities are not really very bad- in the sense that the worst things we could do would still not be as bad as some of the things we see and hear people do. Above all, we’ve very good friends.
Which book are you reading currently?
I unfortunately never get the time to read the books I want, as I am always busy with film schedules and shows. But hopefully I will have some time on hand because I have not signed any film as yet. I picked up The Da Vinci Code written by Dan Brown, which I am reading at the moment. This 454-page intelligent thriller is one of the best books I have ever read.
There was some negative press about you in Nepal and they banned showing your films because you’d said something anti-racial about the Nepalese after your father was shot. Do you want to go there and clear the situation?
I don’t know how it happened, some said that it was done by ISI or others who wanted to tarnish my image. It was quite a mystery that they would go against me and ban my movies. I love Nepal; in fact I’m he kind of person who believes that all people are good. I don’t even have any enemies. I would like to meet the person who shot my father. I would like to sit and understand why he did such kind of a thing instead of bashing him. I am not the kind who likes to hate people and different cultures. I am a nice guy (laughs)
During the zee cine awards your popularity reached new heights, especially amongst the Indopak audience in Dubai. Would you like to perform in Pakistan?
I have never been to Pakistan and I don’t know if I will be invited to perform there. I lot to meet all my fans from Pakistan, I get a lot of fan mail and most of it happens to be from Pakistan.
Finally what would you do if you became the most powerful man in the world?
I will probably make human beings a more tolerant species. Make them tolerant towards other people, culture, and countries. In short I would make people love each other.