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Harithik Roshan - Naam Karega Roshan
He makes you believe in Hindi films again. Hrithik Roshan, the young son of Rakesh Roshan, has just made his debut in Kaho na pyar hai with a veritable explosion of talent. As you watch his intense eyes, the hesitant half smile and he sensitively mobile face you wonder how he could have thought of anything else but acting.
Now that your film has succeeded, how do you feel?
At the moment, the only feeling is one of tremendous relief. I'm happy for my dad because he's gone through so much of hardship and pain for this film. I find myself incapable of feeling much just yet because the reports that are coming in are way beyond my expect it to become so big. It has started scaring me. It also means that the expectations from my next film will be much more.
When you saw the film before its release, what had you thought about it?
I did think it was one of dad's best films. But I think I've got a bit more than I've deserved or expected. When I think back, I realise that I was in very good hands. Dad didn't okay any shot until he felt it was perfect. Even then there was the risk that it might not work. Now that it has, I'm very relieved.
How do you intend handling this sudden stardom?
I'm just not used to it. People expect me to behave in a certain way and I can't handle in a certain way and I can't handle it. It wasn't something I expected to happen and I have to understand it and come to terms with it. I'm feeling very awkward and very uneasy. It'll take me some time to adjust. I have to keep reminding myself about who I am and where I come from because it's very important that I don't lose touch with myself. This is stressing me out completely.
Hadn't you thought of acting before your dad conceived Kaho na pyar hai?
I had, of course I had. I'd been assisting dad for five years and without telling him, I'd joined acting classes for 7/8 months. I wanted to find out if I liked it. It was during the making of Kolya, when I was about 20 years old, that I was approached by Shekhar Kapur. He called me home and offered and much as I was flattered, I couldn't say yes. I hadn't analysed myself; I didn't know how I looked; I had no idea what kind of actor I'd be. So I needed time to understand things about myself, maybe do a photo session. I sat on the decision for three months and finally I said yes but that time he got a call from Hollywood.
Any resistance from the family?
Only to the extent that like all parents, mine to want to protect me. My father's been in the film industry for 25 years, has struggled his way through and seen as much success as anyone but even today you see him dependent on the success of his next film. So they wanted me to do something more stable. I knew that whatever I did, it had to be something to do with films.
Would it have been easier to do your debut film with a director other than your dad?
Yes, I think so. In fact, I think that with anyone else it would've been a cakewalk, be it Shekhar Kapur or anyone else. Acting in frond of dad was the toughest thing that you can imagine. And being the first day of shooting, I started to build another relationship with him. While we were working on the script, I started behaving like myself, as I was normally, not as I was in front of him. It was a conscious and very deliberate thing with me but dad took it very much in his stride and since that day and I have developed a totally new relationship with each other.
You must have taken to the film industry as naturally as fish to water?
Surprisingly, no. My sister and I were never exposed to the film industry. We were always kept away. The very first time I visited my father on the sets was when I was about 15 years old and it's something I'll always remember. Because I saw him with a broom in his hands sweeping the floor. I was terribly embarrassed and I looked round to see if anyone had seen him. Till it occurred to me that the luzuries I had grown up with were due to this-the work that dad was doing. It taught me a salutary lesson. My whole attitude changed after that day.
Who decided that you were to be launched?
No one, actually. After Koyla, dad was working on a script with Aamir Khan in a mind and I always work with him when he's scripting. Halfway through, he decided that it wasn't working out as he'd like it to and he shelved it. Then he had a brainwave and in the morning, he woke up and told me that he had this idea for a romantic film. Everyone liked it and work started on it. It was then that dad told me "I'm making this film with you". I was stunned. I didn't know how to react and I left the room. Dad followed me and asked: "Are you ready?". I replied 'yes'.
You seem to think a lot, analyse anything and feel too much. Do you see yourself as part of this cut-throat world of films?
Yes, I do think too much and am hyper sensitive. But I love films, everything to do with filmmaking. It's so much more than a nine to five job. You're expressing feelings, living your dreams and that I'm given a chance to be here means a lot to me. I know the flip side too. I've seen my father work with a temperature of 104 degree and still retain his creativity. I also know that if you flop here, you can't retain your individuality.
How important was the success of this film for you?
Probably even more important than anyone could guess because I had a private test for myself. I felt that if I was rejected, all the twenty five years that I've lived in such luxury would turn into a nightmare. I would know that I hadn't deserved it.
What now?
Now it's films and more films. I've signed seven films and all of them are exciting.
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