Aka Hrithik Roshan. Taking a leaf from my earlier pieces on Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar I thought It's about time I did a full coverage on Hrithik Roshan.

Hrithik originally made his debut as a child artiste with films like AAP KE DEEWANE (1980), ASHAA(1980) and BHAGWAN DADA (1986). He later became an associate director with Papa Rakesh Roshan with films like KARAN ARJUN and KOYLA.

In 2000 a nation wide hysteria took place, and hysteria was commonly known as "Hrithikmania". Son of popular film director Rakesh Roshan made his debut as a leading man with the KAHO NAA..PYAAR HAI, a film which not only garnered plenty of critical acclaim for Hrithik but also set the box-office on fire as it went on to become a Blockbuster. The movie catapulted him to overnight stardom.

In that same year his second release was Khalid Mohamed's directional debut FIZA, as the title suggests the movie was a female oriented film with Karishma Kapoor in the leading and title role with Jaya Bachchan supporting, however Hrithik too had a crucial part to play in the movie. As a teenager who becomes a "jihadi" Hrithik's performance as Armaan Ikramullah instantly got him noticed with the critics, and the movie gave Hrithik a platform to deliver a performance that truly showcases his acting abilities. Hrithiks presence managed to get the movie a huge opening, but withered out soon after.

A month after FIZA Hrithik has another release in the form of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's MISSION: KASHMIR. Despite releasing against the mammoth Yashraj production MOHABBATEIN starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan, MISSION: KASHMIR managed to take the bigger opening. A father-son conflict in the SHAKTI mould the movie the movie garnered immense critical acclaim, though at the box-office the movie didn't quiet live up to expectations. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's spellbinding musical score became immensely and Hrithik's dancing in RIND POSH MAAL was appreciated. As far as acting goes, Altaaf Khan was clearly an extension of his character in FIZA, and Hrithik played is extremely well though it was evident that Sanjay Dutt had the upper edge here with a performance that would easily rank as one of Dutt's career-bests.

Three releases in a year, and none of them lost money, to top it off, Hrithik had the biggest banners and best directors in town sign him on.

Hrithik's first release of 2001 was Subhash Ghai's immensely hyped love story YAADEIN co-starring Kareena Kapoor(who was originally slated to star in KAHOO NAA..PYAAR HAI) and Jackie Shroff. Though the music became imensley popular, and the movie opened to a huge opening, the decline was fast and the movie flopped in India. Overseas the movie minted money as Ghai had certainly carved a niche for himself with the N.R.I audiences after PARDES and TAAL, however in comparison this was Ghai's biggest dud, and Kisna was even worse! Hrithik's performance was rather bland here though as always his dancing was magnificent.

At the tail end of 2001 Hrithik had another release with Karan Johar's Magnum Opus KABHIE KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. A movie featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Jaya Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and Kajol Johar's follow-up to KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI went on to write records world-wide. Interestingly, the media called this the coming together of India's 3 super-stars-Amitabh, Shahrukh and Hrithik.

2002 started on a dull note, on paper AAP MUJHE ACHCHE LAGNE LAGE sounded like a sure-fire hit. A masala love story co-starring KAHO NAA..PYAAR HAI actress Amisha Patel opposite him. However Vikram Bhatt's love story was as stale as it gets and tanked all over. Hirthik's performance in the movie was no great shakes and he over-did his part to a hilt.

The year didn't get any better with Arjun Sablok's NA TUM JAANO NA HUM. Sablok was a student of Yashraj and NA TUM JAANO NA HUM looked like it had all the trapping of a blockbuster. Esha Deol was the leading lady with Saif Ali Khan putting in a supporting act, however the movie tanked, and Hrithik's subdued performance went unnoticed. This is a film I feel is quiet underrated as it's pretty well made, with sound music and decent performances.

The tail end of 2002 didn't get any better. Yashraj's MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGI with Kunaal Kohili making his debut as a director was a hyped movie. A remake of THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS the movie featured Hrithik with Kareena and Rani with Uday supporting however the movie was cliched, and extremely dull. It fell drastically in India after a decent opening, however managed to mint money overseas. Acting wise Hrithik appeared bored throughout the movie.

2003 started off no better. Sooraj Barjatya who had earlier given blockbusters like MAINE PYAAR KIYA, HUM AAPKE HAI KOUN and HUM SAATH SAATH HAI was back with his next film starring Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor with Abhishek Bachchan in a supporting role. The movie was a shoddy update of Rajshri's earlier classic CHIT CHOR and tanked from day one, this time even the overseas market couldn't save this movie. Strangely enough Hrithik was heavily criticized for his performance here, and though Barjatya later tried to justify the characters action and mannerisms by then it was too late. Abhishek in a silent role was clearly the best thing about the movie after Pankuj Kapur's performance. The Hrithik-Kareena pair too had been labelled "jinxed" in the media as the duo together hadsome major disappointments with the biggest of banners(Yashraj, Mukta Arts and Rajshri).

2003 saw Hrithik reunite with father Rakesh Roshan for the first time since KOI MIL GAYA, and in the nick of time too. Rakesh Roshan took a risk by investing a lot of money in to a sci-fi, masala potboiler. An indianized version of E.T and the movie not only won the critics over, but turned out to be a blockbuster at the box-office. Hrithik's unique performance was a major USP, and as a child trapped inside a man's body Hrithik Roshan was absolutely fabulous. His mannerisms, body language and deliver were loved by everyone, and Hrithik Roshan's pull with the kid's became a magnet---kids all over were in love with him!

2004 saw the release of Farhan Akhtar's next movie after the critically acclaimed and commercially successful DIL CHAHTA HAI. The movie was a war drama with Hrithik Roshan as a soldier fighting in Kargill. Farhan's vision and efforts were letdown by a lacklustre script by papa Javed Akhtar. Despite some stunning performances, able direction and amazing songs the movie dropped significantly after a huge opening. In my view this is one of Hrithik's finest performances to date. He was in complete control throughout and hit all the right notes throughout. His phone conversation to his father Boman Irani still remains firmly etched in my mind as does his scene where he says "aaj mujhe pehle baar ehsaas hua ke main ek Indian hu". Stirring stuff.

That was in June 2004, after that Hrithik Roshan took a 2 year break, as his next release was in June 2006. Hrithik reunited with dad again, this time for a sequel to KOI MIL GAYA titled Krrish. Krrish went one step further than KOI MIL GAYA, where the first one was a sci-fi film about an under-dog with aliens, Krrish was a super-hero film. Hrithik was prevalent pretty much in every scene in the movie and carried the movie on his own shoulders portraying a double role with complete ease. And again the movie went on to become a enormous blockbuster all over. Krrish was the India's answer to SUPERMAN, SPIDERMAN, BATMAN...

If ever the term "double whammy" could be used it would be for Hrithik Roshan and the year 2006. After a gigantic Krrish, Hrithik's next release was Yashraj's Dhoom 2. The original DHOOM had John Abraham playing the villain with Abhishek as the cop chasing him. Dhoom 2 bought together the entire team of DHOOM, but with Hrithik Roshan replacing John as the villain. Also Ashwariya Rai was there too, and with the inclusion of Ashwariya and Hrithik the stakes were obviously much higher. However those expecting a cops and robbers film were in for a surprise, as Dhoom 2 was more about the so-called "villain" (Hrithik) and his girlfriend(Ashwariya) then about the cop(Abhishek Bachchan). Abhishek was side-lined for the most, and Hrithik did a perfect display of absolute "star power". His stunts, gimmicks and action sequences were loved by all. Furthermore Dhoom 2 will always be famous for Hrithiks lip-lock with Ashwariya who was at the time going out with Abhishek Bachchan.

The future is certainly bright for Hrithik Roshan, and he's no doubt taken a leaf from Aamir Khan's books as he has become more selected about his choices. As things stand at the moment he has Ashutosh Gowariker's epic historical JODHAA-AKBAR for UTV where Hrithik dons a "mooch" and becomes Prince Akbar. With the biggest and best names in the industry being involved (Hrithik, Ashwariya, UTV, Ashutosh, A.R Rehman) this is no doubt one of THE most awaited films coming up for Bollywood.

That Hrithik will be a part of Rakesh Roshan's next directional venture is a given, however apart from that the only other movie Hrithik has on hand is UTV's next directed by Anurag Basu of LIFE IN A..METRO fame. There were talks of KISMAT TALKIES where Zoya Akhtar would make her debut, but there hasn't been much news on that front either.

Here's wishing Hrithik Roshan all the best, as things stand currently, in my humble opinion Hrithik firmly and strongly stands at number 2 as far as the numbers game goes.

On the personal front Hrithik is happily married to Suzanne Khan (daughter of yesteryear actor Sanjay Khan who's brother is the infamous Feroz Khan). The two became proud parents of a baby boy last year named Hrehaan Roshan.

A.Shah