I Am A Citizen Of The WORLD

It took all of us sometime to familiarise ourselves with the spelling of his name. I always got confused. We always pronounced as we spelt but here was a hat ke spelling. Earlier, I wrote Ritik but slowly the name grew on me. It was of course, Hrithik, letter H as in hat ke like himself. Numerology has certainly wrecked havoc with the spellings of film stars’ names.

Hrithik Roshan (35) certainly arrived on the Bolly scene in style with the blockbuster Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai (2000). The movie took the entire nation by storm. Not to say his dad’s Rakesh Roshan’s fetish with letter ‘K’, the movie’s success rested totally on Hrithik’s young shoulders. He did justice to the double role. I have seen the movie about five times. I can still see it and find it fresh.

Teenaged girls swooned looking at his pics. Rumours became the order of the day. Many predicted a new ‘king’ had arrived and Shahrukh Khan’s days as king were numbered. Alas, it was not so. SRK maintained his lead but Hrithik carved out a niche for himself that was totally his.

He let the king remain the king but he was the new Shahzada (prince) of Bollywood. A title only Shahjahan will grudge him. Never mind. No wonder, he did ample justice to his role in Jodhaa Akbar (2008). Royalty is in his genes. He is a true blue blood.

He is the only actor after Salman Khan, who does not court media. His simplicity always endears him to us. Most viewers may not be aware that he had acted as a child artist in his dad’s movies like Aasha (1980), Aap Ke Deewane (1980) and Bhagwan Dada (1986). He became an assistant director for Khudgarz (1987), Karan Arjun (1995) and Koyla (1997).

But that was then. His stars were the shining ones on the sky. It didn’t take him long to arrive on the Bolly scene and rest as they say is history. Salman Khan helped him out with a perfect body. At the earlier stages of his career, his choice of projects was all wrong. His films didn’t do well. Critics were predicting his doomsday.

Rakesh Roshan’s pet name was ‘Guddu’. And Hrithik ended up getting its reverse ‘Duggu’. Sounds good to me, any which way if it is attached to Hrithik.

Roshan senior came to his rescue again giving him a new lease of life with Koi Mil Gaya (2003) and Krrish (2004). Hrithik then never looked back. Cutting down on his assignments, he did fewer movies but they were quality projects.

His fans can look forward to this year’s releases like Kites, Krrish 2 and Kismat Talkies. Knowing him, he has surprise treats waiting for us. SL Bhansali’s untitled movie is also in the pipelines opposite Aishwarya.

He was paid Rs 100 for working in Aasha and now he is paid in millions but has no dates. It is said, his granddad J Om Prakash was superstitious about letter ‘A’. He gave hits with all A letter movies. Same was true for Roshan senior with fetish for letter K. His maximum hits were with K. Now, Hrithik goes after letter ‘H’. His family rests on H factor. His personal life is going great guns with H. No wonder, he is the Hero. H(amen)

With a Greek God figure and looks, Hrithik has no parallel in looks department. His blue-green eyes add to his persona. Married so early in his career to his longtime girlfriend Suzanne (Sanjay Khan’s daughter), he didn’t hide it from the world. Just like SRK, Hrithik’s family life and career are perfect. Blessed with two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan (H factor ki jai ho), he couldn’t have asked for anything more.

He is probably the only actor with no controversies tagging him or he himself courting them. He hasn’t resorted to any cheap gimmicks to promote himself or his movies. Recently, at Feroz Khan’s funeral, fans went crazy just to have Hrithik’s glimpse, who was there to attend the last rites. Bangalore had never seen anything like this.

Hrithik was born with two thumbs on his right hand (polydactyl – congenital physical anomaly) considered to be lucky. As a kid, Hrithik was an introvert and stammered while talking. Hrithik’s will, determination and vocal therapy helped him to get over his stammering problem. In his case, even anomalies work in his favour.

He was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 21. He was told he would never be able to dance or perform stunts. Would you believe that? He can show mirror to Michael Jackson in dancing and he is of course stunt director’s delight. Remember, what he did in Dhoom 2 (2006).

Winner of numerous awards, he has maintained his exclusivity. His endorsements run into millions. He is India’s first superhero. Talks are on with Shyam Benegal to direct Hrithik in a movie based on Buddha. What more could he ask for.

From Aasha to Kismat Talkies and from Akbar to Buddha, our Shahzada has come a long way.