BOLLYWOOD HrithikHrithik RoshanRoshan IInnddiiaa’’ss ffiirrsstt SSuuppeerrhheerroo rithik Roshan, one of the most versatile and talked- In order to prepare himself for the industry, Hrithik enrolled him- about actors among the current crop in Bollywood, is self in Namit Kapoor’s acting classes without informing his parents. basking in the success of his latest sci-fi action film He wanted to realise his potentialities as an actor before showcasing Krrish. Playing a “superhero” called Krrish in the movie, himself in front of the world. Hrithik makes transition from a simpleton in a village Hrithik started his acting career in the year 2000 with the movie withHH superpowers to a masked crusader in Bangkok. Kaho Na...Pyaar Hai opposite debutante starlet Amisha Patel –– a The actor, who spent two months taking lessons in martial arts in film directed by his father. The movie became the biggest success of order to perfect his role for Krrish, is jubilant at the success of his that year, sweeping all the major movie awards. Hrithik’s performance new movie. “My main aim as an actor is to take our cinema to the next in the movie earned him the Filmfare Best Debut Award and the Best level. And that’s where Koi... Mil Gaya (Krrish’s prequel) took a small Actor Award. step, though we projected it as a big Indian sci-fi flick. But Krrish is a After his successful debut, Hrithik acted in a large number of giant leap,” Hrithik said. movies including Mission Kashmir, Fiza, Aap Mujhe Acche Lagne Hrithik was born to yesteryear Bollywood actors Rakesh and Pinky Lage, which did not do well at the box-office. Roshan on January 10, 1974. He also acted in the blockbuster movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham As a child, Hrithik worked in many films as a child artist. His first in 2001, directed by Karan Johar. The actor once again sprang back film as a child was Aap Ke with another blockbuster hit Deewane (1980), directed by his Koi... Mil Gaya in 2003. Hrithik’s father. Then he essayed the role of portrayal of a mentally chal- a young dancer in Aasha (1980). lenged character in the film won However, his best remembered him the Filmfare Best Actor performance as a child star was in Award and the Filmfare Critics Bhagwan Dada (1986). Award for Best Performance. He After completing his graduation was also nominated for the from Sydenham College in Filmfare Best Actor Award for Mumbai with a bachelor’s degree the film Lakshya in 2004. in commerce, Hrithik decided to Apart from being a good actor, join the film industry. Hrithik is also an accomplished He started his career as an assis- dancer. His live stage shows are a tant-director, assisting his father rage no matter where he per- (who had later moved to film-mak- forms. ing) in films like King Uncle, Karan Hrithik is married to his child- Arjun and Koyla. hood sweetheart Suzzane Khan, It was on the sets of Karan daughter of actor-producer Arjun that actor Salman Khan Sanjay Khan. The actor is cur- suggested that Hrithik should rently shooting for another start acting in movies. The advice Hrithik Roshan in a still from Kaho Na...Pyar Hai and, Bollywood sequel, Dhoom 2, by was taken. top, from Krrish Yash Raj Films. ■ I N D I A R E V I E W J U L Y 2 0 0 6 6.