Born on January 10, 1974 to then film star Rakesh Roshan (now producer/director) and wife Pinky, Hrithik (aka Duggu) grew up in the world of cinema, not truly understanding the hardship
s that one must endure to achieve success in the industry.
As a child, Hrithik’s idol was none other than Papa Roshan, and he knew even then that one-day, he’d follow in dad’s footsteps and pursue a career in acting as well. Being the grandchild of Producer J. Om Prakash, Duggu debuted in films as a child when he played a role in his Nana-ji’s movie
Hrithik attended Sydneham College (with longtime friend Uday Chopra) and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in B’Comm. While Mama and Papa Roshan wanted Hrithik to continue his post-graduate education abroad, Duggu had other plans in mind.Bhagwan Dada. Later, he also danced for a song sequence in his grandfather’s Aasha (starring Jeetendra).
Determined to prove himself as an actor, Duggu enrolled himself in Kishor Namit Kapoor’s acting classes without informing his parents until months later. He wanted to reach his potential before showcasing his talent to his family, and then the world. Wanting to learn everything about cinematography and acting, he worked with his father during the production of Koyla and Karan-Arjun. Later, he even helped his father during the scripting stages of Kaho NaaPyaar Hai, not knowing that his papa had chosen him for the lead role.
When Rakesh Roshan told his son that he’d be doing the film, after the initial shock of the news subsided, Duggu asked his father for six months to prepare for the role. Hrithik got his wish, Rakesh-ji got a superstar actor, and in January of 2000, the world got a brand new idol.
After the release of Kaho NaaPyaar Hai, Hrithik’s name instantly got penciled in on the top directors’ list of “actors to sign for upcoming film”. The big shots of the film industry began to approach him with scripts left and right. Hrithik became and instant success and while the world around him put him on a plateau, this boy-next-door was trying to figure out what all the hype was about. Even at the prime of his success, Duggu kept his feet firmly glued to the ground.
Hrithik’s family and friends, including then longtime girlfriend Sussanne Khan, were extremely proud of this shy boy that they watched turn into an amazing actor. Never had they dreamed that his first performance would earn Hrithik a Filmfare not only for best newcomer, but best actor as well.
It wasn’t until after the success of KNPH, once he was financially stable, that Duggu decided to marry his one true love. On December 20th, 2000, Hrithik managed to get a few days off from the camera in order to wed Sussanne at her father’s Golden Palm’s Resort and Spa in Bangalore. Many hearts around the world were broken that day, but marriage only seemed to help increase Hrithik’s appeal.
As a newcomer, he signed films with all the big banners, and although not all of his films were successful, Hrithik has grown as an actor in each one. After KNPH, critics raved about his performance in both Fiza and Mission Kashmir. With each of his first films, the audience’s demand for excellence increased, and with that, Hrithik’s need to meet the expectations of his fans. Unfortunately, a few of Hrithik’s next films flopped due to poor story line and bad scripting. Even so, Duggu gave 200% to every role he did, and all of his performances, regardless of the movie’s overall success at the box office, were liked among critics and fans alike. These flops only gave Hrithik a reason to work harder, to prove himself again.
He did so with Koi Mil Gaya – his second project with Papa Roshan. In a time when the media wrote him off, the father-son duo went beyond all borders of Hindi cinema with Bollywood’s first Sci-Fi film. Hrithik’s performance as the mentally challenged Rohit got him accolades not only from critics and fans, but also from the film fraternity. As Papa Roshan said at the 2004 Filmfare awards, the same critics that wrote him off were now giving him an award.
With his most recent film Lakshya, Duggu has only continued to excel at his talent. Though Farhan Akhtar’s second film didn’t bring in the box office collections that his directorial debut did, Hrithik’s performance had the critics talking once again.
In 2006, the world watched and waited as Hrithik prepared to deliver the sequel to 2003 success Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish and also a sequel to 2004′s blockbuster Dhoom, Dhoom 2. And prove himself he did, as the hardworking actor continues to do time and again. Rising higher and higher like a phoenix with every character he gives life to. Surpassing expectations every time. With Krrish the father and son team again crossed boundaries to go where no Hindi film has gone before, giving India its first celluloid superhero. Children and adults alike immediately fell in love with the caped, masked hero performed with panache by Hrithik, arguably the only actor in the entire industry who could carry off such a role on his mighty shoulders so very convincingly. Hrithik also reiterated his talent for double roles by playing the characters of both the young Krrish and his aging father Rohit with remarkable ease. The movie went on to become one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.
And if he rescued the world from miscreants in Krrish, in Dhoom 2 he proved his versatility by playing the silver screen’s most dashing and enthralling thief. As Mr A, Hrithik oozed confidence and style, thrilling women and men, young and old alike with his stylishly planned heists, mesmerising charisma and a body sculpted to sexy perfection! The entire movie-watching world buzzed with the unanimous opinion – that Dhoom 2 was fantastic because Hrithik Roshan was fantastic. Hrithik’s effect on movie goers was like a intoxicating drug, making us go back again and again to enjoy the rush one more time! In spite of a late release in the year, Dhoom 2 too became the year’s biggest hit. With Krrish and Dhoom 2 smashing box office records all over, Hrithik once again earned himself critical and popular acclaim and awards from all corners of the globe. Today he has re-affirmed his place as one of the highest earning actors in the industry. He is without doubt one of the most deserving.
From one drastically different role to another, Hrithik’s latest project will see him in the role of an emperor when a piece of history is brought to life in Ashutosh Gowariker’s period drama Jodha Akbar. We await the film in complete confidence that Hrithik will give as much authenticity to his first historical character as he has to so many roles in his short career.
Facts on Hrithik
Name: Hrithik Roshan
Date & Place of Birth: 10th January,Mumbai
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Height: 6’0
Weight: 74 kg
Distinguishing mark: Lots of them! One of them being my double thumb
Current Job: Acting
Previous Job: Assistant Director
When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is run on a treadmill for half an hour on an empty stomach.
I am doing this job because: That’s what I do best!
Earliest childhood memory: My dad trying to teach me how to ride a bicycle.
First record you bought: Julie!
For my breakfast I usually have four egg whites and one egg yolk, a toast and a glass of Myoplex.
My lunch comprises Dal and some Sabzi. I enjoy eating vegetarian food sent from home. Sometimes there is pasta.
Once in a week I freak out on all sorts of fried food- French Fries, Potato chips and biryanis. Also pizza’s and Mc Donald’s burgers.
I snack on protein bars and health food like soya chaklis and stuff like that.
Last CD you bought: Koi Mil Gaya! I was in Ladakh when the music released so I went and bought it from the market there.
First poster you put up on your wall: Rocky!
Worst item of clothing you ever bought: I don’t buy my own clothes. It’s eother mom,Suzanne or Rocky S. So of I don’t like anything I return it right back!
Most embarrassing thing you have done recently: Sometime back I entered Maurya Sheraton in Delhi and there was this bunch of girls. As soon as they saw me they screamed and yelled. And all I did was bow politely and say, “Thank you!” As soon as I turned I realized how silly that must have sounded!
Wackiest dream you’ve had: We were shooting in Ladakh for Farhan’s Laksh and one night I dreamt that all of us,the cast, Sharad, Zutshi, Sushant are robbing a bank! Zutshi gets killed and I get shot.Amidst all this , I am giving sermons that yeh achi baat nahi hai; we should not loot the bank! I thought it was really weird, but maybe the effect of shooting war scenes during the day led to the bank robbery!
Have you ever broken law? Oh yes a couple of times! In fact my driver broke six signals everyday when I was late to school! I have always got caught whenever I broke the signal.
Funny incident you’ve had with the traffic police: I had tinted glasses om my car and a cop stopped my driver and he was very angry. I popped my head out and said it was for security. To begin with, he did not recognize me and kept arguing while the other cop with him kept nudging him, whispering my name. when he realized who I was, he said, `Kya saab aapne bataya kyon nahin’. I smiled, ` Main kya bataoon aap toh mujhe dekh rahe hein!’
Laughteris: The way to get through tough times in life.
Tears to me are: A sign of good times ahead.
Describe yourself in one word: That’s a tough one! I really can’t do that, it’s very hard to describe myself. Infact I am still getting to know myself!
I am a good boy because: I give people the benefit of doubt, I don’t go on hearsay and I believe in the inherent goodness of every human being.
Who do you admire? My father and my mom’s dad Mr. J. Om Prakash, my Nanaji.
What word comes to your mind when you think of:
The color Red: Passion
Music: Motivation
Bad hair day:all the days of my life till I got this new hair cut for Lakshya. Finally I am proud of my haircut.
Mom: Security.
Pizzas and Pastries: Yummm…..
Rate your sex appeal: 2 1/4
Rate your talent: 2 3/4
Rate yourself as a person: 3 1/2
Above ratings are out of 5
His Favorites
I enjoy eating Vegetarian food. In non-vegetarian I avoid steaks. I’d rather eat chicken and fish.
With my lunch I like to have half a glass of Coca-Cola.
I enjoy eating Broccoli.
I love but usually avoid Cheese
Fruits I like are Apples, Banana’s, Chikoos and Grapes. I love mangoes but I refrain from eating too many.
Last time I ate Chaat was six years ago.
My favorite beverage is Water. I drink lots of water throughout the day. I also like the taste of apple juice.
My favorite Mocktail: Apple Juice
My favorite Cocktail: Anything with Bailey’s Irish Ice Cream.
My Favorite Cuisine: Indian. I enjoy all kinds of Indian food including idlis and dosas.
My grandmom (Ira Roshan) cooked: Excellent macher jhol. My mom is an excellent cook too.
I have eaten the best biryanis, kebabs and barbecue chicken: At my wife Sussanne’s parent’s house.
In the winter: I relish hot dogs and frankfurters- I freak out on them when I am abroad.
Deserts I like: Apple Pie with vanilla ice-cream, brownies with ice cream, ice cream with chocolate sauce.
My weaknesses: Chocolates- Bounty, Ferrero Rocher, Kit Kat.
My favorite restaurant in Mumbai: Fiorella at the Leela, Little Italy and Trattoria at the president. Actually nowadays I hardly go out for dinner, in my school days I frequented Woodlands.
My favorite restaurants abroad: Royal Dragon in London.
If I am ravenous in the middle of the night: I much a protine bar, its always there in my room. No junk food for me.
A plate of garam garam bhajiyas: Putting off
Passion: Films
Favourite film: Hindi: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Sholay
English: Pretty Woman, When Harry met Sally.
Actor: Amitabh Bachchan and Raj Kapoor.
International: Richard Gere, Al Pacino, Steve Martin, Jerry Lewis.
Actress: Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol.
International: Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt.
Favourite Colour: Black
Favourite Country: India
Closest person: Myself
Cologne: Issay Miyake
Games: Doom, Trivial Pursuit and Balderdash
I enjoy eating Vegetarian food. In non-vegetarian I avoid steaks. I’d rather eat chicken and fish.
With my lunch I like to have half a glass of Coca-Cola.
I enjoy eating Broccoli.
I love but usually avoid Cheese
Fruits I like are Apples, Banana’s, Chikoos and Grapes. I love mangoes but I refrain from eating too many.
Last time I ate Chaat was six years ago.
My favorite beverage is Water. I drink lots of water throughout the day. I also like the taste of apple juice.
My favorite Mocktail: Apple Juice
My favorite Cocktail: Anything with Bailey’s Irish Ice Cream.
My Favorite Cuisine: Indian. I enjoy all kinds of Indian food including idlis and dosas.
My grandmom (Ira Roshan) cooked: Excellent macher jhol. My mom is an excellent cook too.
I have eaten the best biryanis, kebabs and barbecue chicken: At my wife Sussanne’s parent’s house.
In the winter: I relish hot dogs and frankfurters- I freak out on them when I am abroad.
Deserts I like: Apple Pie with vanilla ice-cream, brownies with ice cream, ice cream with chocolate sauce.
My weaknesses: Chocolates- Bounty, Ferrero Rocher, Kit Kat.
My favorite restaurant in Mumbai: Fiorella at the Leela, Little Italy and Trattoria at the president. Actually nowadays I hardly go out for dinner, in my school days I frequented Woodlands.
My favorite restaurants abroad: Royal Dragon in London.
If I am ravenous in the middle of the night: I much a protine bar, its always there in my room. No junk food for me.
A plate of garam garam bhajiyas: Putting off
Passion: Films
Favourite film: Hindi: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Sholay
English: Pretty Woman, When Harry met Sally.
Actor: Amitabh Bachchan and Raj Kapoor.
International: Richard Gere, Al Pacino, Steve Martin, Jerry Lewis.
Actress: Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol.
International: Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt.
Favourite Colour: Black
Favourite Country: India
Closest person: Myself
Cologne: Issay Miyake
Games: Doom, Trivial Pursuit and Balderdash
His Firsts…
Crush… “Was on a girl called Dimple, two years my senior in school. She was in the fifth standard. I had a pretty bad crush, but I never let her know. I’d just adore her from a distance!”
Girlfriend (now wife):“Suzanne. I fell in love with her for various reasons.”
Adult Movie: “Not fair! You’re getting all my secrets out! It was at a friend’s place. It was his birthday and one of our friends brought this blue film over. But in the first five minutes we were so embarrassed and disgusted, that we put it off. Besides, his parents were in the next room, so we were really scared!”
Kiss: “Too personal to talk about.”
Hindi movie: “Must have been my dad’s… I don’t remember. I first acted in a film called Aap Ke Deewane, which was dad’s movie. I had a bit part in a song, got paid three hundred bucks, and bought balloons with it! As a kid, I loved balloons!”
Time he wore long pants: “It certainly wasn’t a great occasion! My mom must have just put them on for me, yaar.”
Date: “I was in the 10th standard, I think. This girl wanted to meet me, so all my friends tagged along to Essel World. I had my first date there, going on various rides!”
Drove a Car:“Also while in the 10th. I’d literally hide and drive! I would sit at the wheel, while my driver placed his legs on the accelerator and brake. I began with learning to manoeuvre the car, while the driver would shift the gears and things.”
Hrithik himself has posted a photo of his from Dabboo Ratnani’s Calendar shots on his twitter page.
Look how Sonakshi Sinha has evolved in the past couple of years, and wow!
When Kat first entered the Tinsteltown, she was quite a healthy girl. She didn’t even look like any distant cousin of Barbie then!
Looking at Adnan Sami’s before-after images, all we can say is: ‘Hats off to his determination’.
Zarine’s journey from ‘Fatrina’ to Zarine is something worth appreciating!
Don’t you think the ‘Mean Girl’ Lindsay Lohan has gone a bit too far? Thankfully, LiLo herself realised that, and got back into her previous shape soon.
Britney’s weight woes are quite famous. Like a graph, it goes up, hits rock bottom and goes up again. Britney should learn to keep her emotions at bay.
A certain section of the media has already reported about SRK telecasting his music launch on Star Plus in a grand way. We have some inside scoop to spill…
After creating magic on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar,Zoya Akhtar has decided to cast the cover duo in her next movie. Who, you may ask? Well they are none other than the Indian Superman Hrithik Roshan and the British Barbie Katrina Kaif. After the exclusive photo shoot, Hrithik and Katrina have garnered yet more attention from the media.
Katrina Kaif who is enacting a very intense role of a politician in Prakash Jha’s ‘Rajneeti’ expressed her ardent desire to shake her legs in an item number. She does not want to be typecast as a serious actress and to break the stereotype, she wished to be an integral part of the song. But Prakash Jha is showing lack of interest in the idea.
Ali is not alone – several other filmmakers are weary of casting the cousins in a romantic role. Says Rock On!! director Abhishek Kapoor, ‘I’m not comfortable siblings romancing on screen. The chemistry would be too twisted, unless, of course, the film deals with incest.” Film producer Madhu Mantena explains why the Indian audience won’t be able to digest such a pairing. “Because of the joint family system that a lot of us have grown up in, it is never easy to accept.” What the audience wants
So has the Indian audience not matured to the idea of cinematic liberty? “No, Indians, of course, will have a problem, because they never think anything is just on-screen. I don’t think there will ever be a day when we shall be okay with seeing cousins kiss on-screen,” says adman Prahlad Kakkar. Talking about acting with Ranbir, Kareena said, ‘Maybe Ranbir and I should do a film, act as friends, or as brother and sister, but as lovers… I don’t know.., maybe if the audience wants.’
