Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik, the heartthrob of millions has had a rather roller coaster ride in his career. With his debut movie giving a smash hit and then Fiza, Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and now Kabhie Kushi Kabhi Gaum, he has been on the minds of the masses giving excellent performances and improving with every new movie. Our SeasonsIndia correspondent Neha Irani caught up with him on the set of Koi Mil Gaya, a film directed by his dad, Mr. Roshan Sr.

Excerpts from the interview:

So how does it feel to be working once again with your dad after Kaho Na Pyar Hai?
Well its great. But I have continued working with him after Kaho Na too. Have shot three ad films for the coke commercials. So its not that I have not worked with him. And its great working with him. We have come very close and there are so many things that I have to learn from him. On the sets he is the director and I am the actor. Its fun working with Dad and chacha (Rajesh Roshan).

So what's the film about? As is reported is the story line is a mixture of Forrest Gump and ET.
I think these rumours are baseless. Yes, there's this storyline of a kid and his encounter with life from another world, but that doesn't mean its ET or Forrest Gump. It's a very, very big budget movie. We've hired Marc Colbe, who did the special effects for Jurassic Park, Independence Day and Swordfish and a stunt director from Australia. People are flying down to Mumbai for every schedule. You can imagine how big this film is from the fact that dad will go into a loss while making this film. But he's making something he feels so strongly about. I wish I could say more about the film, but at this point in time, I can't speak anything more than this.

Apparently, your success has gone to your dad's head. True?
False. He's my father. Naturally, he's proud of me. Which parent isn't proud of his child? Obviously, he's happy for me. Yeah, he's affected by my success. If your son becomes a star overnight, wouldn't you react similarly? It's natural. My father has seen both success and failure. He is not the sort to get carried away by either.

What do you have to say about K3G the film?
I was overawed when I saw the film I had tears in my eyes. While shooting for the film, I didn't realize the magnitude of the magnificence of the production. It's overwhelming to see oneself in the same frame as such stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. My character in the film is so similar to my own nature that I could identify with it very easily and infact fell in love with the character the moment Karan (Johar) narrated it to me.

There was a lot of talk about tension between Shah Rukh Khan and you.
What nonsense. There was no tension between us. It was all created by the media. Shah Rukh Khan will always be a friend, an elder brother whom I'll look up to. He's seen me grow up. I was my dad's assistant during Karan Arjun and Koyla. So there's no question of any feeling of rivalry between us. I know for sure he likes me.

You are working with Amisha in Aap Mujhe Aache Lagne Lage. Will the two of you be able to create the same magic as you did in your debut film Kaho No….?
Well that you have to wait and watch. We have put in our best and now it is for the audience to decide.

It seems you have sung a few lines in the movie. Is that true?
(Laughs). Well I have not sung a song. Its just that I have sung a few lines of a shloka before it breaks into a song. One thing I cant do is sing.

Apparently, Amisha and you have done a sensuous dance number for the film. Were you comfortable doing the number?
The script demands the dance. It's a mood-oriented and passionate number. If you share good vibes with your co-star, it's easier to do such a number. And the chemistry is visible on screen. And at that time when you are doing the number what really matters is that whether you are looking good, whether your expressions are good and you lips are synchronising. So when these things are on your minds there is no way you will feel affected and uncomfortable.

Do you regret not doing Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai?
I do, but when Farhan approached me to do the film, I was already neck-deep with work in Kaho Na..Pyar Hai. So, in spite of wanting to work with him at that stage, I couldn't do the film. But I would definitely look forward to working with Farhan, but no, I can categorically say, that he hasn't approached me yet, nor have I signed his next film.