Hrithik's Flying Kites

Hrithik’s Kites

This 36-year-old stunner has done a range of movies -- from sci-fi to superhero, from action to comedy, and from historical to motivational narratives. The blatant actor has yet again walked out of his safety zone to darn an all-new avatar --- the new-age romantic. The heart of Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan sports a new look and new character for his upcoming film Kites for which he’s all praises and positive. An upclose.

Your fans wish to see more of you. It’s been two-and-a-half years since Jodha Akbar.

I accept that I do very few films. You could say that I can’t multi-task. I get fully absorbed in the film that I am doing no matter how long it takes for it to hit the screens. I got this inspiration from the Tinkle comic books that I used to read as a child. It used to advocate that one should stick to one thing at a time to be successful and happy in life. This philosophy helps me remain grounded and focused to this day. Also, I feel that instead of boring the audience with nonsensical films in a row, it’s better to come up with just one film in a year but that should be worth the long wait.

Tell us about Kites.

It is a film about an Indian man’s affair with a Latin woman and their predicament as they don’t understand each other’s language. The film is being made in both Hindi and English. The English version of Kites has been presented and reworked by well-known Hollywood director Brett Ratner. All in all, it’s an honest film and my first complete romantic love story.

Why do you call it an honest film?

Well, nothing in the film, neither dialogues nor moments are made-up or fabricated so as to make audience jump with joy, clap, cry or laugh. It’s a very simple straightforward love story, something that would happen in real life. And following that thread whatever fell into place has made the film what it is.

You are the newest actor singer in the industry.

(Coyly) I never thought I would become one. I wasn’t too sure how I would perform in my debut as a singer. However, my uncle Rajesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu were confident that I would do a good job for I hail from the family of musicians.

So, how did you tune up your vocal chords?

Oh! Singing that one song took me many sleepless days and nights. I had asked for two months time, they gave me two weeks. Hence, I would start with sa re ga ma, right from the time I would wake up to brushing my teeth to taking the shower. I always sang with hand movements trying to reach the highest scale and the lowest note. However, when the actual recording time came, I had butterflies in my stomach. I got them to switch off all the lights in the studio because I was getting too distracted and conscious. Only when the whole studio was blacked out, did every note fall into place, or at least I felt that way (laughs).

You met with many accidents during the film’s shooting.

Yes. I hurt my knees while doing a dangerous car stunt in Las Vegas and later injured my arm while shooting in Filmistan Studio in Mumbai. Others were minor bruises.

How positive are you about the success of your film?

I never take up a project that I don’t believe in. More than the film’s budget or star cast, it’s the storyline and director that I pitch for. Kites has a perfect script and an excellent director. Also, Barbara has done a fairly good job and I have put in my heart and soul in the movie. As mentioned before, Kites is a very honest film. That was the brief that my father and Anurag Basu gave to the entire team while making Kites. We do not want to be within our comfort zone influenced by manipulative commercial thinking. I trust our efforts and sincerity more than marketing initiatives. Hence, I see no reason why my film won’t be appreciated by people.

Did you fly kites as a young boy?

Yes, I remember papa used to teach me. We used to live on the 13th floor of a building. I was too small and used to wonder that the kites seems so light but when it's flying, it's really hard...

How was it working with Barbara?

Barbara is simply superb. A fine actor and humble human being. Another reward for working on this film is finding a Mexican friend – genuine and considerate.

Much has been said about your alleged affair with co-star Barbara.

A certain section of the media needs to understand the difference between sincere journalism and despicable sensationalism. Journalists are widely trusted and respected by the public. A huge responsibility falls on their shoulders. I wish they realise this before it’s too late. Had my wife and children not been as understanding, I know not what this Instigation and provocation would have led to.

Do you think that India now has the means to make films that can stand their own on a global platform?

Sure we do. We have the expertise and also the required budget for the same now. It’s about time we started thinking of such novel ideas for we have no constraints now. Take films like Scarface or Once Upon A Time In America, for instance. Nobody breaks into a song. So, we too should let go of the safety nets.

But you have yourself sung for your latest movie.

Like I said before, it’s an honest film. The guy wanted to sing at a given point, and Anurag was very sure it had to be actually me. Good singing, bad singing, it didn’t matter. But the singing had to be from the heart.

Having reached the pinnacle of success today, where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I can only see myself doing quality films till my last breath.   

Did you always want to become the best in the industry.

See, when one aspires to become an actor, every one visualises himself as being the top slot. This is the motivation that helps one enter films. However, once you start working, it is the journey you begin to enjoy, not the destination. Audience reaction is my access point to growth. They have loved me for 10 years and I feel truly blessed.

What next and… when?

Guzaarish in November this year. This is yet another film very close to my heart for I play a paraplegic, wheelchair-using patient suffering from impairments of the motor and sensory functions of the lower limbs. The film’s directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and casts Aishwarya Rai opposite me. She plays a married nurse who falls in l9ove with this patient.

Riteish Deshmukh - interview

The Innate Comedian

He’s like the guy next door. His smile is infectious and screen presence too enchanting. Most often than not, his cute facial expressions and not his dialogues do the acting for him. Every second shot of this endearing actor makes audience burst into peals of laughter. A favourite of one and all, Riteish Deshmukh talks about his recent films, his love for other genres and his upcoming educational institution and much more with Shilpi Shukla.

After Rann and Aladin you seem to have returned to your favourite genre – comedy.

Well, it is the other way round. Audience likes me best in the genre. I am comfortable in all genres but the audience seem to be most comfortable seeing me doing comedy. The audience remember me in comic roles as these films did well at the box-office while my performances in serious films were forgotten because the movies tanked. It wasn't like I was doing too bad in the films which belonged to non-comedy genres. Maybe if a Rann or an Aladin would have worked, it would have been a different story altogether.

What about your recent releases?

Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai and Housefull are completely different from each other because while the former is a romantic film, Housefull is an out and out comedy. Both the films are very close to my heart though. Comedy in Housefull is completely whacked out. It is over the top where things would be really on your face at one moment and then suddenly, the next scene would be far more subtle. There is a fine balance. On the other hand Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai follows a romcom mood throughout. It is extremely youthful though the subtlety element is prevalent right through its duration. With JKSAH, I’m just getting back to where I started. It’s just that I have much more confidence now.

How did you take Rann’s poor business rating?  

Rann not doing well is ironical because whoever saw the movie liked it. The trouble though was that not many bothered to check it out at theaters. Till date people send me messages on Twitter that they happened to check out the movie on DVD and they loved it. My question to them is that 'Why didn't you see it in theaters? I wasn’t sure if people would take me seriously, after having watched me in so many comedies. But audiences loved me. I truly believe that it was the marketing aspect where Rann could have done a lot better. Probably we were unable to create that kind of urgency amongst people that would have enticed them enough to go and see the film in theatres.
 
How has your cine-journey been so far?

Terrific, I would say. God has been graceful and people from the industry have been very supportive. I had never thought I would get so much love from the audience, that too not because of my father’s political standing but because of my own mettle.

Not many know that you are an architect as well.

Many are taken by surprise when I reveal that I am a qualified architect. I studied architecture at the Kamala Raheja School of Architecture and have been designing alongside acting. My architecture firm Evolutions in partnership with another firm has designed a multiplex in Aurangabad and my hometown Latur in Maharashtra. There are a couple of things happening with the architectural firm which includes designing concept villas for a holiday home in Alibaug. That’s almost complete. Now, I am in the process of setting up a state-of-the art educational institution in Latur.

An educational instution?

Yes indeed. Education has always been a priority for me and it's important to have schools with good facilities where education is imparted in a newer and different system. My dad and brother run educational trusts in different villages but I want to build an educational infrastructure in Latur, which is as good as or better than the ones in Mumbai. We should start the school by next year.

You refused to kiss Jacqueline Fernandes, despite being asked to do so by director Milap Zaveri.
I don't like kissing in films. I have been asked to kiss in many of my films but have always refused. I am a very shy person and kissing is too intimate and personal an act for me to do in front of millions of eyes. I am not comfortable doing it. I can't be detached while kissing someone on screen. But I am not a prude. I would cringe to see myself kissing on screen but if others do it, I'm fine. I didn't kiss and finally we ended up shooting a cuter scene which expresses our romance much more than a kiss would have. I stand justified!

How was it working with director Milap? 

We share a good camaraderie. I hadn't done a romantic film after Tujhe Meri Kasam and was waiting for that right script to come my way. In between, I got stuck with comedies and like it happens, you get typecast easily if your movie works. That's what happened to me as well. The reason for accepting the film was simple. Its story worked for me. And now when I look back, I am genuinely happy that Milap decided to make a love story and offered me the role. Milap is a romantic at heart and even brought out the romantic in me.

Are there more sex comedies on the way?

When I did Masti, people appreciated me. Then, Kya Kool Hain Hum and Heyy Babyy happened. But the other day, some kids came up to me and said, “We aren’t allowed to watch your films.” That’s when I decided not to do films that can’t be viewed by an entire family.

Today, people call your dad Vilasrao Deshmukh (Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises) 'Riteish Deshmukh's father' more than they call you his son. How does that make you feel?
I don't know how to react. I can't weigh both to see which is more important to me as I am not in contention with him to prove who is more famous. I am very happy and proud to be his son. My head rises with pride when I'm called his son. But I hope I have emerged out of his shadow. The shadow is so big that it takes a while to come out of it. I know there are certain responsibilities I have to be aware of and things I am not supposed to do. I abide by that. In social situations, I perform on autopilot. The decorum has to be maintained.

Kat’s Charisma

Getting the best of offers and having her name listed in the top actresses of the day, things are just looking bright and right for Katrina Kaif. A tête-à-tête with the British-origin actress on her latest release De Dana Dan and more…  

She stepped into tinselville with Boom. But Katrina Kaif soon hung her boots as far as her hot, sexy image was concerned and stayed hooked on a simpleton, girl-next-door image for her movies. In an industry and era when experimenting with one’s roles is the norm and versatility is the benchmark through which an actor graduates from being just an actor to a successful performer, Katrina is one actress who stayed away from experimentation for long. And now, having played the role of musician Anushka in Yuvraaj with such finesse, Katrina has proved her mettle in versatile acting.

Excerpts from the interview —

Five years into Bollywood, how do you rate yourself as an actor now?

I am proud that I could prove wrong all those people who wrote me off for my British accent during my initial days in the industry. Today, I can boast of giving six hits in a row. And with the success of Yuvraaj, my happiness only multiplies. Many people tried to prevent me from making it till here. They did not do so in an aggressive or excessive manner, but they used to say things like ‘I don’t know...’ and ‘I’m not sure...’ that would suggest a not-so-positive approach towards me. But I proved myself ultimately as an actor, more so as a thorough professional. I always try and push myself to exceed expectations. I use this ideology in a positive way.

Would you call it destiny?

God has of course been very kind to me. The special thing about life is that you never know what can happen and there is no limitation to it. Someone can tell you that you can never be this and never be that. But it is not true. Anyone can be what he wants to be and destiny plays a major part in it. I believe that everyone should try and live their dreams, follow them and they might just come true someday.

Your Hindi accent certainly seems to have improved.

Besides honing my acting skills, I worked really hard on my accent. Interacting with various people on and off the sets and doing some eight Hindi movies, dealing with Hindi scripts, practicing dialogue delivery... I think that in itself has taught me and helped me improve my accent.

Your looks, dressing style and even your demeanor and deportment have remained unchanged throughout your movies. You are one actress who has proved that versatility or no versatility, its just good work that matters. However, with De Dana Dan you seem to want to break open from the girl-next-door image.

I have thoroughly enjoyed playing all my roles so far. However, now it was time I progressed from playing the sweet simple girl in comedy films. Or else audiences would have started to believe that being a prop in comedy films is all I could do. I do want to retain the image of the girl-next-door. I don’t want the hot image. Even in sexy lady in the movie Race, I am fully clothed. But, after having spent almost five years in the profession, it’s only natural for me to evolve as an actor, trying different roles and proving to my audiences and critics that it’s not just my face that sells.

Go on…

If you see Akshay Kumar, he was an action hero and then he went to comedy and found out his real calling. It took him to new heights of superstardom. I think it is important to take risks and figure out what really suits you. Every actor has a strength, like Aamir does romance and Akshay does comedy, but I don't know my strength yet. If I get a contrast role in one film like where one get-up has me play a simple, shy and homely girl, the other has me as a brass and loud girl, I would definitely do that.

Who is your favourite co-star?

I enjoy working with Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. Akshay is a very helpful, co-operative and professional actor. Salman is a very dedicated actor who understands the nitty-gritty of filmmaking really well. It is a great learning experience working with such established actors.

Is your brilliant chemistry with Salman in Yuvraaj an offshoot of the off screen chemistry between you two?

In my opinion, your on screen chemistry with an actor is not related to whether or not you know the person. I think it is the script, which allows you to have chemistry or, conversely, not have chemistry. If you have a scene, which is very well written and there is something electrifying about it, people will surely enjoy it. However, if the script is dull, then even if you are the best of friends off screen, it will not come across on screen.

On a personal note, what do you have to say for Salman?

He likes to act tough but it is so easy to win him over. Anyone who wants to get close to him only has to act defenseless, play the underdog and say, 'I have no friends and no one loves me.' Salman will adopt that person.

After so many hits, you have been tagged as a lucky mascot for producers, by trade pundits.

‘Lucky mascot’ does not make any sense to me. It is such an illogical statement. A successful film is a combination of a good director, good music, intelligent script, good timing, destiny, everybody’s efforts and audience’s reaction. There isn’t a reason or an explanation that you can tag a person as lucky.

What’s your take on off-beat cinema?
I like to watch non-commercial movies sometimes. However, I am pretty clear about what I want to do. I don’t want to go down the road doing serious cinema. I am happy doing commercial films. Fun films, I believe, give the audience time to escape the monotony in everyday life.

What’s your health mantra?

Exercise, eat well. You have got to be careful about what you eat because Indian food tends to be way too oily. Try to eat more healthy food - more vegetables, more fish. I like Japanese food because it is very healthy and delicious. I like that kind of taste – less spicy and oily. Besides, get up early, don’t oversleep, go to the gym, and go to work on time. And most importantly, always be happy.

Lost In Oblivion

A dream debut does not guarantee success. Bollywood has many newbies trying their luck ever year while some get lost among reels of the films, others shine through. But no one can point out what makes a newcomer click with the audience. Each year, we are introduced to many wannabe heroines who come to tinsel town with high hopes and beautiful dreams. Not all are successful in making a mark and become a name to reckon with in the industry. At times, even those who get noticed fade out of the limelight soon after for they are unable to charm audiences again and sustain the competition and challenges that this industry offers.

We profile for you some of those aspiring movie stars who blazed across the Bollywood firmament with a runaway debut hit only to experience darkness at high noon thereafter.

Mandakini

Remembered for – Ram Teri Ganga Maili

One cannot miss out on the woman in a white sari sans the bra from the hit movie Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Mandakini…. One never saw her again in any big banners after working with the RK Banner, except for a few B-grade movies. She will still be remembered for her dare bare act under the waterfall.

Vijeta Pandit

Remembered for – Love Story

Most of us couldn’t remember her after Vijeta sang the song ‘yaad aa rahi hai’ in the mega blockbuster Love Story. Rajendra Kumar cast her alongside with his son Kumar Gaurav. Though the film was a hit, it couldn’t secure the future of the stars. Vijeta had another hit four years later in the form of Mohabbat. But after this, she was never seen onscreen as the main lead. She final got into playback singing.

Bhagyashree

Remembered for – Maine Pyar Kiya

She became a star overnight. This sweet, innocent and beautiful actor was the dream girl of every guy. Even today, when one sees Maine Pyar Kiya, the film that went on to become the highest grosser after Sholay, one craves for having such a soft-spoken and loving partner for life. Bhagyashree bagged the Best Actress award for the MPK thereby outshining co-star Salman Khan’s performance that was quite unnoticed. However, destiny had other plans for Bhagyashree.

She was flooded with offers but the lady who tied the knot with Himalaya soon after the release of Maine Pyar Kiya refused to star against anyone else but hubby Himalaya. This proved fatal for her career that could otherwise have been quite enterprising. The two movies, Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul and Paayal, in which she was paired opposite her husband, were super-flops. This marked the end of her film career.

Zeba Bakhtiyar

Remembered for - Henna

Zeba Bakhtiyar stole the heart of millions with her Bollywood debut in Henna under Raj Kapoor banner. Henna was a huge hit on both sides of the border about two decades ago. Zeba should have made it really big in tinselville but to the great surprise of one and all, she is just recalled as a one-film Bollywood wonder from Pakistan now.

Anu Agarwal

Remembered for - Aashiqui

The promos of Mahesh Bhatt’s ’s Aashiqui claimed — this face can stop a crowd — when he launched dusky damsel Anu Agarwal in the 90s. However, little did he know that Anu will soon relegate to the archives after a series of forgettable films thereafter. Aashiqui did well and the music was a massive hit. However, luck did not favour the long legged beauty who was once compared to dusky sexy siren Smita Patil.

Pooja Batra

Remembered for - Virasat

Virasat got this Former Miss India (1993) the Best Supporting Actress Award in 1997 but not the kind of success one could have expected thereafter. After trying her luck in the film industry with movies like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye, she packed her bags to settle down with her orthopaedic doctor husband in California.

Sandhali Sinha

Remembered for – Tum Bin

A cute and fresh face, Sandhali Sinha made her debut against Rakesh Bapat and Priyanshu Chatterjee in Tum Bin, probably her only film in the lead. The music of the flick went on to make record sales and the film was a runaway hit too but did not help the careers of any of the leading actors in anyway.
Though the central character of the movie was Sandhali and her work was appreciated, she never starred in any other movie after that in the lead role.

Mayuri Kango

Remembered for – Papa Kehte Hain

This light-eyed beauty looked fresh as a daisy amidst her other counterparts. The innocent looking Mayuri Kango made her debut in Papa Kehte Hain against child actor Jugal Hansraj. But Mayuri's acting skills and dialogue delivery was a complete turn off and her Bollywood career never really took off.

Chitrangada Singh

Remembered for – Hazaaraon Khwaishen Aisi

Chitrangada Singh ,who debuted in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi was never able to firmly place her feet in tinsel town. The movie was critically acclaimed and did help the careers of most people associated with the movie, but could not help this young and pretty actress anyway.

Shamita Shetty, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani

Remembered for – Mohabbatein

Mohabbatein was a big hit. So much so that it was considered to be a dream debut for actresses Shamita Shetty, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani and actors like Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergil. However, none of them could actually hit the top bracket of Bollywood. Preeti knew that her career as goody-two-shoes was short-lived unless she joined the bare dare brigade. So, like her co-stars Kim and Shamita, Preeti also joined the brigade of bare-it-all. However, nothing could help the career of these starlets from sinking.

Gracy Singh

Remembered for – Lagaan

Gracy Singh was the object of envy for many actresses when she was chosen to play the lead opposite Aamir Khan in Lagaan. Her performance was liked by the audience as well as the critics. Not just that, she found a bigger hit with Munnabhai MBBS. But the actress was stuck with a behenji image and could never break away from it. A few flops like Aarman, Wajahh: A Reason to Kill, Shart and Muskaan ensured that Gracy was forgotten by all.

Gayatri Joshi

Remembered for – Swades – We, the people

“Well, we just have to wait and watch for that. Your guess is as good as mine,” Said Gayatri Joshi soon after the release of her one and only film, Swades, We The People when asked whether she might just be a one-time wonder and be in danger of slipping into the oblivion once the euphoria of Swades was over. After gainig name and repute in the world of modeling for seven years, Gayatri entered Bollywood with high hopes. Getting introduced in Bollywood by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar and being cast opposite Shah Rukh in the very first film is a dream start for any debutante actor. But her luck was as unfavourable as was Gracy Singh’s.

Bhoomika Chawla

Remembered for – Tere Naam

Bhoomika too had similar fate. With a huge hit like Tere Naam under her belt people felt Bhoomika would be perfect as the girl-next-door. But the actress couldn’t repeat her success and despite working opposite actors like Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan she couldn’t make it big!

Shilpi Shukla