Source: Hindustan Times
By: Udita Jhujhunwala
Date: December 2, 2006
Driving along coastal Goa, a Hrithik Roshan-billboard endorsing a clothing brand gets me thinking about how the Dhoom 2 actor will be dressed for our meeting at the Taj Aguada. Casual light cargoes, a white T-shirt, baseball cap, designer sunglasses and warmth greet me at the coffee shop. With his back to the sparkling ocean, he doesn’t see the throngs of fans. He’s on a four-day break from Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha-Akbar in Rajasthan, revelling in the success of Dhoom 2 and attending IFFI with his parents and wife, Sussanne. Hrithik Roshan will next be seen in Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodha Akbar. “I’ve never been around to enjoy the success of my films, so I took a break to enjoy Dhoom 2,” smiles Hrithik. Though his role as Aryan has wowed one and all, Roshan is happy the film as a whole has worked. “You can’t take praise for one aspect and undermine the rest. It’s like a team winning a match. I’ve grown up with Abhishek (Bachchan) and Uday (Chopra), we’ve pushed each other with the same goal," says the actor So is he aware that Abhishek’s children are named Hrithik and Roshan in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom? Reply: “I know! Abhishek called me and said guess what my children are named. I said Bunty and Babli. But then he told me. I was so amused. It’s sweet.” What about the kiss with Aishwarya Rai and the alleged adverse reactions from the Bachchans? “It’s preposterous, people are unnecessarily making a big deal. Some sections of the media just love sensational headlines,” he says. “While doing the scene, all I knew was that I had to answer the challenge set by Sussanne. She said, ‘If you are going to do the kiss, make sure it’s the best goddamn kiss in the world.’ Eventually, both Sussanne and I loved the kiss.” Who was on his mind during the lip-lock? “You think of (the characters) Aryan and Sunheri, that’s it,” he states. Hrithik and Aishwarya team up again again in Jodha Akbar. Ask if the film would be affected if she were to get married, he shoots back, “I don’t condone such thinking. A film must have the power to draw you into that world. When you see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, you don’t believe Shah Rukh’s character is less in love with Kajol because in reality he’s married to Gauri. It’s the same thing here.”
NUMBER CRUNCHER
Rs 67 crore was netted by Krrish in its first week. His other mega-hits have been Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
Take 5
Movies, marriage and the media glare
1 After Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai: I still have a long way to go. People will realise the difference between Shah Rukh Khan and a one-movie-wonder like me.
2 On the success of Koi.. Mil Gaya: I am relieved. All the hard work, experimentation and risks have paid off. I am glad I’ve been accepted in the role of an autistic boy.
3 On life after marriage: Nothing seems different at all. When I wake up in the morning, I see that I am still the same guy who must take off to work.
4 On his image: That’s what you create. Once people come to the cinema, it’s your job to break the previous image and give the audience a new one.
5 On popularity: All that craze over me didn’t make any sense. I always knew it wasn’t real. Everyone was swayed by the craze, including the media and the trade.