Filmfare

If it was one name that sizzled at 2001 Filmfare awards, it was the Roshans. Hrithik won the Best Actor as well as the Best Male Newcomer Awards for his performance in the megahit 'Kaho Naa Pyar Hai' (KNPH) that also won the Best Film Award. His father, Rakesh Roshan won the Best Director Award for KNPH, which bagged several other awards, including Best Music Director (Rajesh Roshan), Best Screenplay (Ravi Kapoor and Honey Irani), Best Editing (Ravi Verma), Best Choreography (Farah Khan) and last but not least, Best Male Playback Singer (Lucky Ali).

Here is what Hrithik had to say on winning the award:

You are the only actor to have won Filmfare awards for both Best Actor and Best Newcomer?

I'm trying to make sense of that. I keep asking myself whether it's a good or a bad thing to be honoured this way. I know I worked like a dog in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. I can't say I worked harder than anyone else did in his or her first film, because everyone tries hard. But I worked really really hard. So somewhere I'm trying to make myself believe that I deserved not just the Best Debut Award but also the Best Actor Award. I was ecstatic when I held the newcomer's award in my hand. But when I got the Best Actor Award, I didn't know what to make of it. I mean all the other nominees were better, far more experienced than me. All I can say is it was a huge honour to be even nominated with these great actors.

Hrithik, please cut out this over-modest act.

It's not an act. Ask the Indian audience. Come on, how can I win over Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt? It's unthinkable! Finally it was Mr Subhash Ghai who made sense out of the whole thing for me. He told me that the Best Actor Award doesn't mean that I'm better than Shah Rukh Khan or Sanjay Dutt. It just means, my presence and performance in one particular film was appreciated above others. Considering Filmfare is a popular award, I've now come to terms with both my awards. I really wanted to celebrate that night. I know this can never happen again. But at least, I won't be nominated for best debut again, ha!