Hrithik Roshan has been the quintessential hardworking lad who has also been endowed with talent to make it big in Bollywood. His debut film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was a runaway hit, prompting audiences to expect a lot out of him. But a few failures later, he was dubbed as a one film wonder.

Hrithik’s first on screen experience was in 1980 when he made a small appearance in Aap Ke Deewane for which he received Rs 500. He was supposed to make his debut in Shekhar Kapur’s Ta Ra Rum Pum opposite Preity Zinta but the film was left in the back burner.

His father – Rakesh Roshan – took the initiative of re-launching his son. The senior Roshan gave him four months to groom before the launch. His five years experience in assisting his father gave him a lot of confidence, recalls Hrithik.

Except for Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Koi… Mil Gaya and sharing the platform with Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the rest of his films failed at the box-office. However, Hrithik was quick to add that Mission Kashmir earned its money, while Fiza had one of the biggest openings.

The problems was that Hrithik had four flops in a row like Yaadein, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage and Mujhse Dosti Karoge. This in turn prompted the media to write negative things about him.

But as the proverbial phoenix, Hrithik has bounced back from time to time. He still commands a good amount at the box office. Businessofcinema.com’s Johnny Vaz and Ashok Anchan pinned down the pin up actor as he readies himself for his father’s next film Krrish.

Excerpts:

Krrish is your 12th release. It comes two years after Lakshya, which was your last release. Do you think it will hamper the audience’s mindset?
I don’t think I was out of sight for people because I was doing commercials. I did ads for John Players clothing and Hide and Seek biscuits.

What is Krrish about – just another superhero?
The movie is not about a superhero saving the world. Krrish is an attempt to lay the foundations of a superhero in Indian cinema. This genre was non-existent till date. My character has nothing got to do with Spiderman, Superman, Batman or Zorro. It is the story of an ordinary boy who has been endowed with super powers. He is not out there to save the world. Krrish is an attempt to open new boundaries and cater to the vast international market. When we were making Koi…Mil Gaya on aliens, people sniggered at us. But we made history. This time too we are going to create magic.

What prompted you to do a film like this?
Personally, when I was a kid, I wanted to fly like a Superman. With Krrish, my dream seems fulfilled.

Sequels have never been lucky at the box-office. What is your take on it?
Yes, it is risky. But if you want to create a record, risk has to be taken. Look at the Olympic Games, where every time a new record is made.

But isn’t it true that the music of the film being a big disappointment?
The unique selling point of the film it its story. The film does have great songs, but the story is set in a village before it moves on. I think the music will catch up once the film is released.

The film has many special effects, but then there are some brilliant stunts as well. Did you have to do the stunts yourself?
My father had hired the services of Tony Ching Siu from Hong Kong. He has more than 30 years of experience and has made his name from scratch. He and his team are experts, especially in cable wires (for safety) used during jumping sequences. There are many scenes in the movie, which required me to jump and the fighters could not be portrayed as Krrish.

Krrish is the superhero who does not speak and has no dialogue in the film and hence a lot of things needed to be portrayed via body language. That is where I chose to do the stunts. It was not easy though, but I did practice a lot and had confidence in Tony Ching.

Is Krrish intended to be a children’s film?
The Filmkraft banner has never made films with children in their mind. But the children loved me and my films. Be it Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai or Koi… Mil Gaya, it was kids who have shed their unbiased love. They are the best judge. Today you cannot influence them with foolish cartoon characters.

Why is it Hrithik Roshan only successful under the direction of his father?
It’s simple logic. Good films run, bad films don’t. There should be an egoless communication between the director and the actor. My father gives me the liberty to act. He has confidence in the actor – Hrithik. For an actor, the script is the boundary. At every second step, we have two different perspectives. I always work with passion and get into the skin of my character. My father has a different perception. When I go in front of the camera, I act in a way in which I feel about the character. My dad allows me to do what I want to. Between an actor and a director, there should always be a father-son relationship.

Continuing on your personal front, you are now a proud father of two-month son, Hrehaan. What has your son taught you?
Time management. I am very thankful to Sussanne who has contributed a lot and organised everything. Whenever I get free time, I am only with them.

Coming back to your career, why are you taking career risks by playing a negative role in Dhoom 2 and as Emperor Akbar in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodhaa-Akbar?
There has to be versatility in acting and at the same time, there has to be excitement too. Exploring other things in life helps an actor to grow. I am also doing a film with Zoya Akhtar.

What about Hrithik the actor? What’s he upto?
The actor has to grow and I have to take risks. I am sure people will love me in these roles. I am putting in a tremendous effort playing them. I love to do one film at a time.