By: Prema K
Date: May 23, 2003
The media elevated him to the status of 'God' after Kaho Na Pyaar Hain. Hrithik laughs at the memory. The same media brought him down from his perch when his films failed at the box office. He was not hurt but he admits that it did affect him initially. Eventually it even entertained him! "It was entertaining to see my face on the cover and 'Finished'! My films failed because they were bad. If I had ever felt that my films failing was a reflection of my talent, then I would have been scared. Ultimately it is all about one good film! Then everybody will say, Hrithik is back", he smiles. Will Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon prove to be that film for him? Will he bounce back to the 'HRITHIK ROSHAN' again?
How different is Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon from your other films?
I would say its very different considering it's a Sooraj Bharjatya film. His films are a reflection of the kind of person he is. The characters in his film are so full of life, especially in this film. The Prem (which I am playing) is very different from the Prems that you have seen in the other Bharjatya films. You will be really taken aback when you see Prem for the first time in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. You will wonder if he is real or not! You may even find him loud. At times you might even say, 'Why is Hrithik doing this?' (Laughs). That's what makes him so special. He believes in his way of life.
He has a bag that says, 'I am happy'. That constantly reminds him to be happy irrespective of the good or bad things happening to him. It is an extension of the good boy that I have played in my other films.
Why are you stuck in the mould of the goody goody guy in all your films?
After the super success and super stardom courtesy Kaho Na Pyaar Hain, every director perceived me as a good, and pure soul. So they cast me in the same mould. I got so tired of using those terms to explain my characters in all my films. I realize that I have repeated my look in all my films. But they were all big makers like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Sooraj Bharjatya, and Karan Johar approaching me. It was stupid of me to tell them that I cannot play the character they wanted me to as I was already playing it in some other film. Ultimately a film works; it's not my character or me! When a good film comes your way, you should do it. That's the bottom line. How many guys get a chance to work with these makers?
There is a new trend in the industry of wanting to look different!
I always knew it but it wasn't happening in India. Besides I was stuck with all my films. The post Kaho Na Pyaar Hain phase was such a jumble. On one hand I was getting invites from Prince Charles, Nelson Mandela and Madonna while on the other there were big film makers. I just grabbed what I thought was the best. I was going hysterical with all the euphoria. I was comfortable doing things my way. Now I have hit solid ground and am stable. I can decide what to do and what not to do. Maybe somewhere I also disregarded the fact that an actor has to look refreshingly new and different in every film, be it is his look, hair, or clothes. It is very exciting for the actor as well. I am very different in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. I don't think I can be more different than I am in Koi Mil Gaya. I have a different look in Lakshya. I am doing just one film at a time now and don't know what I am going to do after that. I have realized that I don't need to do films if I don't get a good script.
Are you banking heavily on Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon?
Banking? I don't understand the word banking. Is it that I am going to make more money if these films succeed? That way I bank on every film of mine, as an actor. It feels good to have your hard work acknowledged and accepted. So far I have been appreciated despite my flops. My films failed because they were bad. It was encouraging and motivating to be appreciated in my worst flops. A big maker came up to me after Aap Mujhe Achhe Lagne Lage and said, 'this is the first time I have seen your film and realized that you are a star'. I laughed and told him to stop being sarcastic. He said that I stood out despite it being such a bad film. He also felt bad for me as despite my hard work and energy, the film was failing me at every moment. Of course, I also take the blame for my films failing. I had chosen to do them. But if I had ever felt that my films failing was a reflection of my talent, then it would have scared me. Ultimately it is all about one good film! Then everybody will say Hrithik is back. That's the way of life. It's fun, it's entertaining! (Laughs).
Are you hoping Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon proves to be that film for you?
I hope it will be. It is a very important film for me but somewhere I am quite content with just having worked in that film. Even if it fails it will never be a failure for me. Working with Sooraj Bharjatya has been one of the best experiences of my life. He is one of the rarest human beings that I have ever met or worked with and will remain my source of inspiration and motivation throughout my life.
Having been through the highs and lows in the industry, has your equation with people here changed?
I don't know why people say that. Equations with people changing is very natural and should not affect you at all. I don't let it hurt me. The industry is not my family. This is business. I am doing my job here. I read many things being said about me when my films failed. Initially I was slightly affected by it but eventually I found them very entertaining. It was equally entertaining to read that I was a 'phenomenon' and 'God'. I have had saints coming from all over India just to look at me and going back satisfied. It was crazy. It was also entertaining to see shots of me leading the Shah Rukh Khans and Aamir Khans of the industry. It was completely wrong and not in sync with my experience. Thankfully I had a stable mind and knew that all this was just to create drama. This never happens in Hollywood. Leonardo was never compared to Al Pacino or Tom Cruise after Titanic. It was also entertaining to see my face on the cover of a film glossy and 'Finished'! (Laughs).
Some time back Kareena said that Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is her film and the guys are just walking in and out of the film. Do you agree?
(A bit of thought) It is not like we are walking in and out, but yes; it is about Sanjana and the different chapters in her life. The men come into her life, go away and come back again. In fact, Abhishek and me joke about it. We refer to her as the leading lady of the film while we just follow (laughs).
People are saying that Abhishek Bachchan is going to be the surprise package of the film!
He is! I don't think I have seen such a strong but subtle performance in a very long time. He is definitely the special appearance in the film and has done a fabulous job. People are definitely going to notice him.
You have always praised Abhishek as an actor but one never reads about him doing the same!
It is not a barter system that if I praise him, he has to do the same. I appreciate him as an actor and am expressive about it because I want to be. Maybe he appreciates my work and is not expressive enough or probably he does not appreciate my work. It does not matter.
Are the two of you still good friends?
(A little surprised) What happened now? (Laughs) Of course, we are! Nothing can change that.
What prompted you to do a run-of-the mill film like Mujse Dosti Karoge?
I loved the script. It reminded me of Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. I always wanted to do a romantic Yash Chopra and Karan Johar kind of film and MDK was the only popcorn romance that I had.
Why have you been inaccessible to the media all these months?
It was not a conscious effort but there was nothing to talk about. Nothing happening in life too. I was just involved with completing my films.
When do you plan to become a father?
I feel like a child myself. I need to grow up a lot, which is something I don't want to do (laughs).