Source: Rediff
Date: June 7, 2006
From hero to flop hero to superhero. That's 7 years in the life of Bollywood pin-up Hrithik Roshan.
Things may change drastically on June 23 -- possibly the biggest day of 2006 for the star - when his latest, Krrish hits theatres.
"I had no time to be nervous," he says, when asked about the release. "There was too much work to be done. It is only now that I am finding the time for interviews and meeting the media. I suppose I will be nervous as the date approaches."
Hrithik had one of Bollywood's biggest debuts with Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. Unfortunately, most films that followed fared badly. At one point, the media almost wrote him off.
What did it feel like to have a dozen flops in a row? He stops and asks, "Krrish is my eleventh film. Where do the dozen flops come from?" Okay, nine? He lightens up. "I have never given nine flops in a row. I had three big hits: Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya and -- if you can count my contribution alongside big co-stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan -- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham."
He is quick to add that Mission Kashmir earned its money, while Fiza had one of the biggest openings.
"The problem was I had four flops in a row (like Yaadein and Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon), which is why so many negative things were written about me," says Hrithik.
A disappearing act soon followed. The star was nowhere on screen after Lakshya. Krrish will be his first film in two years. Will the audience remember? "I don't think I was out of sight for people as I was doing commercials," he says. "I did ads for John Players clothing and Hide & Seek biscuits. So, I was never really out of sight."
The biggest change has been on the personal front. After all, Hrithik Roshan is now a father.
"It is one of the most incredible feelings," he says. "My son Rehaan has one of the sweetest smiles." Ask what his two-month old son has taught him so far, and pat comes the reply: "Time management!" He says that, earlier, he used to be worried about how things would work out. "My mind was always preoccupied. Now, I am more organised. I know what to do, and when to do it. I know what time I have to be at work, and what time I have to get home."
He doesn't forget his wife Suzanne's contribution, considering she organised everything for him after he became a father. "There has yet to be a time when I have had to wake up at night and sing him to sleep," smiles Hrithik.
Ask how he feels his son will react seeing Krrish after he grows up, and Hrithik isn't sure. "Technology is changing so fast. He may call this an outdated film, by his standards, by then."
Speaking about Krrish, Hrithik says it is important to note that the film is not about a superhero saving the world. "Krrish is an attempt to lay the foundations of a superhero in our cinema. This genre was non-existent here till date."
But isn't it true that the film's music has been a disappointment? Hrithik is quick to point out that the unique selling point is the story. "The film has great songs, but you must understand that the film is first set in a village before it moves on. I think the music will catch up with audiences once they watch the film."
Why is he taking career risks by playing a villain in Dhoom 2 and Emperor Akbar in Jodha-Akbar? "I have to explore other things in life," he replies. "There has to be some excitement." And no, he isn't worried about fans not being able to digest him in these roles either. "What about Hrithik the actor? He has to grow and I have to take risks now. I am sure people will love me in these roles as I am putting in a tremendous effort playing them."