Nice guys finish first

 

 

It is known that you were a very shy kid. Did you ever imagine that you would become such a big star? Who was your idol then?

Not really. But I definitely wanted to (laughs). I had never visited the sets before I started assisting my dad and looking at him work would, for sure, demotivate the most motivated person! I just couldn't last there for even one whole shift. I would throw up and fall sick too often. So it was almost impossible to imagine becoming a star. I actually thought I couldn't do anything and found the environment so wrong... I don't think I ever had an idol. I was motivated by all the pain I had to take.

What motivated you to deviate to a front-of-the-camera career?

I couldn't stand the fact that I couldn't do what actors do, and that I wasn't strong enough. That's what motivated me. I guess I always had a vision in my head and got excited about living my dreams. I always questioned my fears and in time realised that fears are just opportunities to find out more about yourself. You must always go ahead and test yourself and if you survive, you know you've conquered your fear. And if not, you still learn a lot. And that's what helps you to be better prepared for such challenges in life.

Which was the most difficult shot in your career.

Every shot is as difficult. I can't pick any one. Anyway, one should treat each shot as the most important shot.

Considering that, is there any scene or song in your film that you would want to change or improvise on?

Change? Always! (laughs). While shooting, you always tend to know when you've hit the right chord, after which it's in the hands of the director to judge if it was perfect. But whenever I look back at what I have done, I would always want to work on everything that I've done, again.

How do you deal with the rumours? Has there been a rumour you might've heard about yourself which you almost believed?

Alright, let me put it like this – If I'm walking down the road and somebody says Hrithik Roshan has no right arm, what do I do? I know I have a right arm and I know what the truth is, so I will not care. Similarly, if someone calls my father bald, what can I do? He is bald and so I won't bother. My granddad always tells me that the world is out to provoke you but if you get provoked, it's your downfall. You have to recognise the truth and the untruth; and on both you needn't react.

What is your most favourite thing about being famous?

Hmm... let's see... Well, I can avoid queues... (Laughs)

Looking back at the films you've undertaken– most of them aren't stereotypical films. What do you look for before taking on a project?

Every film has been challenging. I was as inspired and as driven for each of them. I believe that if you do something then give it your best or else don't do it. That's what separates you from mediocrity. I have analysed that films where I was inspired from the beginning were the most rewarding films, commercially and even otherwise. Personally, the films that I have enjoyed right from the beginning are Krishh, Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar. People keep talking about living the characters that they play. In your case the roles that you have played in films like Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish and now Jodhaa Akbar have been larger than life and memorable. How do prepare for such roles?

I try to be as honest as possible because acting in itself is contradictory. Be yourself during the filming and just concentrate on reacting. In retrospect, I usually feel that I acted it out completely and was more comfortable within the skin of the character. As for the characters I have played being so much larger than life, if I tried to 'act' them out they would’ve ended up looking rather fake.

Who do you consider your best critic?

My audience!

Long back, you were on the cover of a magazine which said 'FINISHED'. How did you react to that?

Now that was something I laughed at. I am sure the sales for that magazine that month must have gone up with my face on the cover and that kind of a statement. It doesn’t make sense…my best work came then and those days were the best days of my life..

The trend nowadays for most Bollywood celebrities is to try and grace Hollywood screens. Will we be seeing Hrithik treading Hollywood's shores in the near future?

I plan to act for the rest of my life and the language doesn’t matter. But I don’t need to go abroad. As long as I am excited about my work I don’t care about the language and I will keep doing good cinema that motivates me.

On one hand you have the creative satisfaction that one gets from acting and then there is the adulation that you get from people for being a star.

What is it that makes Hrithik happy?

It is the yardstick that makes me happy. That I am being judged by people I trust and that they like me. That motivates me and encourages me. Then ideas keep growing and as a human being, sowing and reaping keeps happening…and then the rewards too come eventually.

You have been blessed with two kids. Given the recent trend among celebs, what do you think of adoption?

That's something that I believe in but haven't considered right now. One has to be aware of the responsibility that adoption brings. My hands being quite full, it is something that has to come from within. The way a child is treated reflects the success or failure of the society. I think that's the primary challenge for any society. Do you miss spending more time with your family?

Sometimes I feel the pang... Work has always been very sporadic but I always find time for them.

If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?

Well, I have only one wish to make – good health for everyone, everything else can be taken care of as long as you are healthy.

What would do you consider your biggest achievement as of now?

All my achievements fail to measure up in comparison to what other people have achieved. So this is not a question that holds any truth in my head.

I don't think I have achieved anything but I am taking some wonderful baby steps towards whatever is in my destiny and I am grateful to a lot of people and God for whatever I have and for every little victory, comfort and love that I have.

It has been said that Lakshya stands as one of your most subtle yet creatively intriguing performance. So what is your next lakshya, I mean future milestone?

Next, I have Anurag Basu's Kites with Kangana and a Mexican actress, Barbara Mori. It is very exciting because I play a very real character in this film.

Have your injuries dampened your enthusiasm for dangerous stunts?

Ahh... I will be jumping from buildings soon and will keep breaking my bones! (smiles)

Really? So what drives this daredevilry?

Well they make me do it (laughs). You know, it is not something you need to show off. Only when it’s a part of the character and it goes into portraying the character better do I take it up.

What are the thoughts that cross your mind when you are about to deliver such risky shots?

To be honest, in that moment I experience both excitement and fear.

Any message for your audience, especially the youngsters who look up to you?

Well, I wish them happiness and hope that they like my films.