Latest Hrithik Roshan 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' interview 2011

Always experimental with his choice of film projects, Handsome Hrithik Roshan returns to the big screen this week with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Life Won't Come Again).

One of only a handful of Bollywood movies to have been shot in Spain, the part-romance, part-road movie sees Roshan share screen space with Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin in Zoya Akhtar's follow-up to Luck By Chance.

Digital Spy sat down with the green-eyed star to talk jumping out of planes, learning Spanish, and that awkward feeling of watching yourself on television.

The promos of the film suggest road movie, romance and action sports. How would you define the genre of ZNMD?
"It's a completely fresh offering in terms of Indian cinema. It's a beautiful, humourous and extremely human road trip film which takes three male friends on the ultimate bachelor party trip across Barcelona. Unbeknownst to them on embarking on the trip, it ends up being a journey of self-discovery for each of them in different ways and forces them to re-evaluate their lives."

What attracted you to the production?
"Everything about this film project appealed to me - the fact that I would be working alongside two dear, and hugely talented, friends of mine again (Zoya and Farhan), the script also was completely fresh and innovative for Indian cinema. I expected no less from Zoya - she is such an accomplished and respected director from the new wave of Indian filmmakers who are really changing the landscape of Indian cinema."

We see you jumping out of planes, deep sea diving and running with the bulls. Which was the biggest buzz for you during the making of the film?
"Phew... Jumping out of a plane. An experience of a lifetime. Every time I see the clip I just ask one question, 'Did I actually do it?' I can't express the feelings that were going on inside of me at the time of the shoot."

The project was largely shot in Spain. Did you get much chance to explore the country, or were the rumours of you working 13-hour days on the production true?
"Unfortunately not, the schedule was so tight that we all were unable to explore this fabulous country, but we had a lot of fun on sets which made up for this. And when you have members like Farhan, Zoya, Katrina, Abhay and Kalki, you don't remember if you are in Spain or India - the company you are in is just far greater! They are loving people. We all were staying as a family."

After Kites and ZNMD your Spanish must be excelente...
"Han aprendido el español, pero no estoy seguro si estoy con fluidez. I hope you get this. (I have learnt Spanish, but I am not sure whether I am fluent.)"

Does Indian cinema attract the same level of recognition in Spain as it does in the UK or Germany, or did you find yourself ever in places where you were relatively anonymous?
"Indian cinema is reaching every corner of the globe and Spain is one of the places where Indian cinema is showing its magic. I have seen the interest grow over the last few years. As we were in very rural parts of Spain - the Spanish heartlands - we didn't interact much with the Asian Diaspora but instead the traditional Spaniards who didn't quite know who we were. It was a great feeling though to walk and explore in plain fields quite anonymously."

This is your second project with Zoya Akhtar. After receiving much critical acclaim but little box office return with her 2009 debut Luck By Chance, do you think ZNMD is an attempt at a more commercial film?
"As mentioned, as well as being a good friend, I really admire Zoya's work. She is certainly among the hugely talented new wave of Indian filmmakers, although she is already extremely accomplished and well respected. Luck By Chance whilst being avant-garde in certain senses was quite commercial in its appeal - ZNMD is in a similar vein."

Knowing Zoya's film family background and her tribute to the industry in her debut release, I would suspect that ZNMD may contain references to earlier Indian cinema.
"You will just have to wait and watch the film!"

My social life is seriously impacted at the moment by your new TV show Just Dance. Are your Saturday nights spent on the sofa tuning in?
"Firstly, thank you so much for your kind words. Being part of Just Dance is simply just brilliant. I feel very awkward watching myself on TV but being part of the show has impacted my life tremendously. I was so touched to see the brightest dancing talents from across the globe performing on one global stage."

This is your first film with Katrina Kaif. Having starred opposite most of Hindi cinema's leading male stars, did you feel that Kaif's collaboration with you was long overdue?
"Katrina is a great artist and a wonderful human being. I guess it was a case of the right script presenting itself and she was certainly perfect for the role. We had a great time working together - as well as being a hugely talented and committed actor she is a very sweet person."

It also seems rather unique for a Hindi film to have non-Indian actors (Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin) as its two lead heroines. Do you think this is a sign that opportunities in Bollywood are expanding for foreigners?
"Yes absolutely, and I would be extremely happy if there are international artists interested in Bollywood films. It's a very positive sign for the industry itself. The world is getting smaller and film industries more interconnected. It's definitely the way forward."

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Latest Hrithik Roshan interview 2011

Hrithik, the heartthrob of millions has had a rather roller coaster ride in his career. With his debut movie giving a smash hit and then Fiza, Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and now Kabhie Kushi Kabhi Gaum, he has been on the minds of the masses giving excellent performances and improving with every new movie. Our SeasonsIndia correspondent Neha Irani caught up with him on the set of Koi Mil Gaya, a film directed by his dad, Mr. Roshan Sr. Excerpts from the interview: So how does it feel to be working once again with your dad after Kaho Na Pyar Hai? Well its great. But I have continued working with him after Kaho Na too. Have shot three ad films for the coke commercials. So its not that I have not worked with him. And its great working with him. We have come very close and there are so many things that I have to learn from him. On the sets he is the director and I am the actor. Its fun working with Dad and chacha (Rajesh Roshan). So what's the new film about? As is reported is the story line is a mixture of Forrest Gump and ET. I think these rumours are baseless. Yes, there's this storyline of a kid and his encounter with life from another world, but that doesn't mean its ET or Forrest Gump. It's a very, very big budget movie. We've hired Marc Colbe, who did the special effects for Jurassic Park, Independence Day and Swordfish and a stunt director from Australia. People are flying down to Mumbai for every schedule. You can imagine how big this film is from the fact that dad will go into a loss while making this film. But he's making something he feels so strongly about. I wish I could say more about the film, but at this point in time, I can't speak anything more than this. Apparently, your success has gone to your dad's head. True? False. He's my father. Naturally, he's proud of me. Which parent isn't proud of his child? Obviously, he's happy for me. Yeah, he's affected by my success. If your son becomes a star overnight, wouldn't you react similarly? It's natural. My father has seen both success and failure. He is not the sort to get carried away by either. What do you have to say about K3G the film? I was overawed when I saw the film I had tears in my eyes. While shooting for the film, I didn't realize the magnitude of the magnificence of the production. It's overwhelming to see oneself in the same frame as such stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. My character in the film is so similar to my own nature that I could identify with it very easily and infact fell in love with the character the moment Karan (Johar) narrated it to me. There was a lot of talk about tension between Shah Rukh Khan and you. What nonsense. There was no tension between us. It was all created by the media. Shah Rukh Khan will always be a friend, an elder brother whom I'll look up to. He's seen me grow up. I was my dad's assistant during Karan Arjun and Koyla. So there's no question of any feeling of rivalry between us. I know for sure he likes me. You are working with Amisha in Aap Mujhe Aache Lagne Lage. Will the two of you be able to create the same magic as you did in your debut film Kaho No….? Well that you have to wait and watch. We have put in our best and now it is for the audience to decide. It seems you have sung a few lines in the movie. Is that true? (Laughs). Well I have not sung a song. Its just that I have sung a few lines of a shloka before it breaks into a song. One thing I cant do is sing. Apparently, Amisha and you have done a sensuous dance number for the film. Were you comfortable doing the number? The script demands the dance. It's a mood-oriented and passionate number. If you share good vibes with your co-star, it's easier to do such a number. And the chemistry is visible on screen. And at that time when you are doing the number what really matters is that whether you are looking good, whether your expressions are good and you lips are synchronising. So when these things are on your minds there is no way you will feel affected and uncomfortable. Do you regret not doing Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai? I do, but when Farhan approached me to do the film, I was already neck-deep with work in Kaho Na..Pyar Hai. So, in spite of wanting to work with him at that stage, I couldn't do the film. But I would definitely look forward to working with Farhan, but no, I can categorically say, that he hasn't approached me yet, nor have I signed his next film.

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