Hrithik Roshan has never been so tired. Dressed in a white shirt and faded blue jeans, the media’s one-time blue-eyed boy is sweating profusely. He just completed a four-hour long Q and A session with the media at a Sun-N-Sand hotel suite. And the lad has enough energy to last another interview. We begin talking about his latest film Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, a Rajshri production celebrating love and friendship.
“As the title of the film suggests, I play Prem, an out of this world kind of character. He is the quintessential Prem of all Rajshri films, he is not your average guy. He is the kind we don’t find everyday. Pure, simple and clean-hearted is how we can describe him. His goals in life include spreading happiness around the world, says Hrithik nonchalantly.
Adjusting his cap, he moves on to describe the film. “Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is about faith and belief. It revolves around a girl called Sanjana played by Kareena Kapoor. It’s a chapter in her life. It is her search fo her true love.”
Ask him whether the film is centred on Kareena Kapoor and he shoots back, “Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is not Kareena’s film or Abhishek’s film or my film. Though the story might revolve around Kareena, it is the audiences’ film just like every Rajshri film.”
Hrithik and Kareena are paired once again after Yaadein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Talking about Kareena, Hrithik flashes the zillion dollar smile of his before saying, “People have told me that we look good on screen. And I personally think we do. Working with Kareena is always a pleasure. There is this comfort level.”
Bring Abhishek Bachchan into the conversation and Hrithik turns nostalgic. “I have known Abhishek since class two. We are school friends. Professionally, it was a completely new experience. I didn’t know he was so talented. In fact in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, you will see him at his best. He has given an amazing performance. I believe acting comes to him naturally. As a person, Abhishek is very friendly. Even if he doesn’t know you, he will help you if he finds you in trouble. I think it has got to do with his upbringing. He comes from one of the most cultured families I have ever known,” says Hrithik.
Hrithik is also all praise for director Sooraj Barjatya. “I am grateful to Soorajji for giving me an opportunity to work in this film. Some of my best memories are attached to this film. Soorajji is a master filmmaker. But more than that, he is a fabulous human being. After doing Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, I have become a big fan of his,” he says.
In between posing for pictures and indulging in a conversation with Rajat Barjatya, spokesperson for Rajshri Films, Hrithik diverts his talk to music. “Like every Rajshri film, the music of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is brilliant. It has the right mixture of soft, sad and romantic numbers. Anu Malik has done a great job so have the singers,” he says and adds it is hard to pick a favourite. After much persuasion, he reveals, “It is Chali Aayee.”
As we prepare to shoot our new question, Hrithik’s secretary Ashok Vasodia butts in stating he is getting late. Hrithik takes our leave but we prod him to answer a last question. He obliges. We ask him doesn’t he sometimes regret his choice of films in view of the failure of his last three films? He rolls up his sleeves and replies, “See, I believe one shouldn’t regret anything in life. Accept what life gives you. And even if you will not, you will have to. One should instead learn from the past. Agreed my last few films haven’t done well but that doesn’t mean I regret doing those films. I learn from all my films. I don’t believe in hits or flops. The audience is the biggest judge. If they like your film, you are a star. If they don’t, your film is bad.”
Amen!