With Rakesh Roshan all set to launch the sequel to the hugely successful ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, the grapevine is madly abuzz with stories – some true, some untrue. While a few reports claim that Hrithik has signed the villain’s role in the sequel to ‘Dhoom’, others insist that the underworld is once again threatening his dad. We speak to Rakesh Roshan to clarify...
We hear you’ve been receiving threats from the underworld...
That is absolutely false. I don’t know where these rumours began. It just so happens that the hearing of the culprits who attacked me three years earlier has come up, and I was called in as a witness. I requested the judge that I would like to attend in camera, without being physically present at the trial. That was it. And now the media has created its own story, claiming that I have been threatened.”
Hrithik is rumoured to have signed the villain’s role in ‘Dhoom Part II’...
Once again, the news is false. Hrithik has not signed any role in any film so far. Yes, he is considering signing an outside banner, but nothing has been finalised. I’ll let you know as soon as it happens.
Who are the characters in the sequel to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’?
There’s Rekha, Rajpal Yadav, Naseeruddin Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Puneet Issar and Sharad Saxena. I have also signed stunt director Tony Ching for the film. He’s done ‘The Hero’ and he’s also done John Woo’s ‘The Killer’ and ‘Flying Daggers’.
So the film will have plenty of action?
No, it’s not going to be an out-and-out action film. It’s more of a thriller. There’s more excitement than action.
Is Hrithik playing a Superman kind of character?
Hrithik will play Rekha’s grandson, who inherits magical powers from his father. But it’s nothing like Superman. He’s playing a normal guy who just happens to inherit these powers from his dad.”
Why did you sign Priyanka Chopra instead of Preity Zinta for ‘KMG-II’? We hear it is because of her brilliant performance in ‘Aitraaz’...
Well, we couldn’t have Hrithik’s character romancing his mother, could we? (laughs) The reason I signed Priyanka was because I think she suits the role perfectly. And, no, it wasn’t because of ‘Aitraaz’, although I agree that she has delivered a brilliant performance in the film, and acted out a difficult role with grace. I signed her even before the release of ‘Aitraaz’. She is a very talented girl.”
Priyanka insists that the title of the film is not ‘KMG II’...
We haven’t finalised the title of the film as yet.
Will Hrithik be required to physically transform himself once again?
No, he won’t have to do that. He’ll be playing his normal self -- with muscles and all. Then he’s going to China for a six-week training stint. He’s leaving on the 11th of January.”
We hear you’ve already begun recording the music for the film...
I have already begun recording the first song. The music is by Rajesh Roshan. I’ll be recording the next song on the 28 th of December. I’ll begin shooting the film on the 1 st of March and finish it by October.”