INTERVIEW: Hrithik Roshan

Actors Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan during the launch of song from the film Bang Bang, in Mumbai, on Sept 17, 2014. (Photo: IANS)
Actors Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan during the launch of song from the film Bang Bang, in Mumbai, on Sept 17, 2014. (Photo: IANS)

Actor Hrithik Roshan is currently happy and content in his space as an actor, but when the time is right and if he has a subject, he may go behind the camera to direct a film. However, he says “it will take time”. His father Rakesh Roshan is a successful director and producer of films like “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai” and the “Krrish” series. Does Hrithik see himself branching into these fields in future?

Well, the actor didn’t rule it out when he asked this at an event here Friday.

“I’m going to be living till I’m 90 years old. I’m going to be absolutely unstoppable and my service to the world will go on to the last breath of mine. Having said that, directing a film is may be…all I can say is, something has started,” Hrithik said.

He finds it to be a “difficult” process. “To direct is not just to make a film. You have to be a leader, like a CEO of a company, or say like my dad! He’s incredible, he’s a boss who’s also a worker…and there’s a lot that goes as far as a director are concerned. “But I’m a man who loves challenges….I don’t like to live in fear. So maybe in time, I will be directing,” he added.
During a later media briefing, the 40-year-old contemplated on the matter again and questioned: “I have a father who’s the best director in the world. Why will I ever not want to be directed by the best director in the world and take it in my hands?”
Nevertheless, he went on to say: “Maybe someday if I have a subject and I take his (my father’s) advice and guidance and if he feels it’s the right time for me and if I feel it’s the right time for me, and my uncle (Rajesh Roshan) is equally inspired, then maybe they will all back me and push me for it. But it will take time.”
As of now, his entire focus is on “Bang Bang”, his big ticket film, slated to release Oct 2.
“Right now, “Bang Bang” is releasing and it just reaffirms the fact that I’m pretty okay at what I’m doing…so I can last a few more years doing what I’m doing.”

Hrithik says bits of his own self are part of every role he plays on screen, but while working on “Bang Bang”, he discovered a complete similarity between his real and reel self.
“‘Bang Bang’ is the first film in which instead of getting into the character, I discovered that I was the character. It was self-discovery,” Hrithik said.
He believes that “it’s a very fortunate moment for an actor” when his characters “become a platform to vent or channelise a similar emotion that you are going through in real life”.
I have had such experiences while doing ‘Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hain’, ‘Koi Mil Gaya, ‘Lakshya’ and ‘Guzaarish’ and of course, ‘Bang Bang’,” he said, and added that “all of them are bits of pieces of me”.
Hrithik started his film career 14 years back with “Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai”. Over the years, he has established himself among Bollywood’s top rung performers.
A dancer par excellence, his forthcoming release “Bang Bang”, an official remake of Hollywood’s Tom Cruise-starrer “Knight And Day”, will see him grooving a la Michael Jackson.
How did he learn to dance so well?
“I’m still trying to understand how? But, we’re all born with certain gifts. Maybe I just look good when I dance but that’s not good enough. Understanding your gifts and strengths is just not enough in life. You need to recognise them and then need to build a skill around them.
“So I have given hours and hours to master the things that I think are my fortes and strengths, instead of thinking of what’s not good about. I focus on what’s good about me,” said the actor, who overcame stammering to become the star he is today.
“Bang Bang”, also starring Katrina Kaif, will release Oct 2.