Source: www.1luxurious.com
Date: June 7th, 2011
Hrithik Roshan started in the movie industry early with acting roles in the 1980s but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that he got his first leading role in the movie ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ (Say… you Love me) opposite Amisha Patel. Due to the huge success of ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’, Hrithik Roshan became a true movie superstar overnight and subsequently won the ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Male Debut’ Filmfare awards for his dual roles as Rohit / Raj Chopra. Now riding the crest of this huge new found fame, Hrithik Roshan struck gold again with a leading role in the Melodrama ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…’ (Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness). His role as Rohan Raichand opposite Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan helped the film to become India’s highest grossing film in the overseas market and his biggest commercial success to date. More films followed over the next few years including Dhoom 2 and the historical epic Jodhaa Akbar where he played the lead role of the Mughal Emporer – Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar. The movie was greeted with much critical acclaim.
The Charlotte Observer ranked ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ the second best film released in 2008, Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN said “I felt privileged as a moviegoer. Privileged that such a film had been made, and privileged that it had been made in our times so we can form our own opinions of the film rather than adopt the opinions of previous generations”. ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ went on to win numerous Indian and International awards, and for his role in the movie Hrithik won the ‘Best Actor’ award at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival and his fourth Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ award. You would imagine that after such plaudits and critical acclaim an actor would just play safe and stick to ‘bread and butter’ roles, but this was never going to be the case with this versatile actor.
Hrithik took on perhaps his most challenging role as Qudraplegic former magician Ethan Mascarenhas in the movie ‘Guzaarish’ opposite Aishwarya Rai creating perhaps the most beautiful on screen couple in cinema history. ‘Guzaarish’ was released in November 2010 to critical acclaim with awards and nominations at all the leading Indian film award ceremonies. Fast forward to the start of 2011 and Hrithik Roshan is preparing for the launch of his latest movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ in July. The film stars Hrithik, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Kalki Koechlin and Katrina Kaif and is a story about three friends that finally embark on a road trip that they should have made four years ago. A road trip where each one gets to do the ultimate sport of his choice and the other 2 just have to do it with him. Filming took place in a number of locations including Barcelona, Pamplona, Bunyol, Andalucia in Spain, Egypt and Mumbai.
Luxurious You came from a family of cinema personalities and landed your first role in a movie at the very young age of six. Was a career in acting something that you felt you were destined to embark upon? And were there times when you questioned if this was the right path for you?
Hrithik Roshan: I was lucky enough to have grown up within the industry and surrounded by some amazing role models from within my family, as well as beyond. At six, it was too young an age to really think about my career. Yes, you have those childhood whims that you want to be this or that, but the older I got, I certainly didn’t think that a career in front of the screen would ever be a reality - well certainly not as a hero. I was quite a shy, nervous young lad. I had a stammer which I was extremely conscious of and I was quite chubby. Although I excelled in my studies, I guess I always felt I would work within the industry in some capacity or other, but never as a lead actor. I was assistant director on a couple of my father’s earlier films but as time went on, the possibility of appearing on screen became a reality and I have never looked back. The industry is such a big part of my identity that it has always felt completely natural and intuitive to me.
Luxurious: Your break though role came in the movie ‘Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai’ which went on to become the years highest grossing movie and won you two Filmfare awards. How did this make you feel and did this new found fame make you excited or nervous?
Hrithik Roshan: It was totally exhilarating - to receive such a great response from the public, as well as critics. I certainly wasn’t expecting it and I guess I was simultaneously excited and nervous – excited about what the future had in store and the next film project, and nervous about living up to, if not exceeding, the expectations and precedent that my debut film (as a lead actor) had set.
Luxurious: Looking back at your career to date, what piece of work have you been most proud of, and outside of movies what would you regard as your greatest moment?
Hrithik Roshan: In honesty, all of my films are very precious to me. They were all significant milestones in my career journey and took me to new territory, in so far as allowing me to push my boundaries and explore new things. If I had to single out any particular films though, Jodhaa Akbar and Guzaarish are certainly films I am proud of. Outside of films, although I guess it is related to my work in the industry, unveiling my wax figure at Madame Tussauds, London was a truly great moment. It felt like the culmination of all of my achievements till that point in my life, overcoming the setbacks and challenges along the way, had now been marked by this beautiful milestone which was so humbling. It was very emotional for me to see my life achievements manifested in such a breathtaking way - it really did leave me speechless!
Luxurious: You are renowned for your acting ability. Would you describe yourself as a ‘Method’ actor or more of a classical form of actor?
Hrithik Roshan: Certainly a method actor. I really have to immerse myself into the skin and soul of that character, living, eating and breathing everything about them. I guess it’s a little unfortunate for my wife and those around me, as I completely go into my zone, giving the role my complete focus and concentration. It’s a very intense period, which is why it is conditional that I only commit myself to one film at a time.
Luxurious: ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ is due to be released in July, tell us about the film and some of your favourite memories whilst filming.
Hrithik Roshan: It’s a completely fresh offering in terms of Indian cinema. It’s a beautiful, humorous and extremely human road trip film which takes three male friends on the ultimate bachelor party trip across Barcelona. Unbeknownst to them on embarking on the trip, it ends up being a journey of self discovery for each of them in different ways and forces them to re-evaluate their lives. You know, the entire project was a joy so it is hard to pinpoint any specific memories. I was working with some wonderful talent - both cast and crew, including two dear friends (the director, Zoya Akhtar and her brother, one of my co-stars, Farhan Akhtar). We were filming in such a beautiful location, company was great (cast and crew) and we enjoyed many an evening together after we’d wrapped filming for a day - eating good food, sharing stories and anecdotes, and laughs aplenty.
Luxurious: Hrithik, many congratulations on the unveiling of your waxwork at Madame Tussauds earlier this year. I’ve seen the pictures and think it’s an incredible likeness, what were your thoughts when the waxwork was unveiled to you?
Hrithik Roshan: I was completely taken aback and lost for words. The likeness was uncanny! Even though I had been involved in the creative process, having some input in terms of the ‘look’ the figure would present (my look from the film ‘Dhoom 2') and I took part in three sittings – two in Mumbai as well as a further sitting in the West London workshop – I had no idea what the final figure would look like. Looking at the eyes, it felt like the figure had a soul of its own. I was astounded and it certainly exceeded my expectations. My family were also at a loss for words. It was an extremely proud moment for us collectively.
Luxurious: Aside from your acting ability and handsome features, you have the physique of an athlete. How much work does this involve to maintain and build a body like that? And what tips can you give to us that are not quite in the shape we would want to be in!
Hrithik Roshan: Ah, thank you for the compliment. Well it takes a lot of discipline. I work out daily in my gym, and cardio-vascular activities are also a big part of my daily regime. It is second nature to me, and I couple this with a healthy diet. I have had to put on the pounds for the role I am currently filming for, and also had to do so for my film, ‘Guzaarish’, in which I played a quadriplegic, paralysed from the waist down. I tell you, it was hard to do so, but the roles required it. It felt so good to get back to the gym once filming for ‘Guzaarish’ had completed, and I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to returning, once we have completed filming for ‘Agneepath’.
Luxurious: Is being behind the camera as opposed to being in front of the camera something that interests you?
Hrithik Roshan: Very much so. I had the opportunity of assisting my father’s direction of two of his previous films and it was great to be a part of the creative process. I would never rule out the possibility of exploring this further in my career, but for now I am happy to be working in front of the camera, for as long as my fans, audiences, and filmmakers want to see me there
Luxurious: You are an icon and a role model to many millions of people, in a world that seems to lurch from one problem to the next. If you had a chance to stand on a podium in front of the whole world, what words would you say to them?
Wow – there is so much that I would like to say. It may sound completely idealistic, but I would tell people to put aside their differences and to try to live together harmoniously. Life is challenging enough, so why not rally together, because problems shared are problems halved. I would advocate overcoming injustice, persecution and inequalities and that we should embrace each other and the differences between us – it is these differences that make the world such a beautiful and colourful place and even give context to our own life experiences. I would advocate world peace and uniting to overcome issues such as poverty, human injustices, inequalities, abuse and persecution the world over. We at luxurious would like to thank you Hrithik for taking some time out to answer our questions and wish you every success for the future.