INTERVIEW: HRITHIK ROSHAN
‘Guzaarish’ Star Speaks About Role as a Paraplegic
It may have taken some time, but romance film king and Guzaarish director Sanjay Leela Bhansali finally roped in Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan to star in one of his productions. Even more, Mr. Bhansali wisely put on his chemistry professor hat in matching Mr. Roshan with Aishwarya Rai--a pair whose on-screen spark and flair has virtually no equal in Bollywood. As the duo first paired together in Dhoom 2 before reuniting for Jodhaa Akbar, Mr. Bhansali believes Mr. Roshan and Ms. Rai will exceed all expectations as they star together in Guzaarish, which opens in theaters this weekend.
Oddly enough, Mr. Roshan was not so sure he wanted to be a part of Guzaarish to begin with. During a promotional campaign of the film in Delhi, Mr. Roshan said it was Devdas director Mr. Bhansali himself who helped the actor overcome his hesitation in portraying a character who is a paraplegic.
“I was skeptical about the role because I was evolved enough as an actor and was apprehensive whether I’d be able to translate his creative genius onscreen,” Mr. Roshan, 36, said during his chat with reporters. “But when Mr. Bhansali narrated the script, he had me crying and laughing at the same time, and I couldn’t wait to start working.”
Start working he did, and what Mr. Roshan was able to procure was an emotional character (Ethan) who manages to bring a smile to the faces of fictional and real people alike, despite the tragedy surrounding his role.
“The film is dark, intense, with a tragic story, but it is magical, as it makes people smile. Ethan is the happiest character I have ever played, and he puts a smile on everyone’s face,” Mr. Roshan proclaimed about Ethan the magician.
Of course, all the real magic in the film is in the on-screen relationship between Mr. Roshan and Ms. Rai--a strong bond and chemistry both developed the moment they faced each other in front of a camera, and both actors were able to make Guzaarish a near epic love story.
“Ten years ago, we gave our first shot together for a cold drink commercial. Our equation has been perfect ever since,” a swooning Mr. Roshan stated of his professional relationship with Ms. Rai, who plays an elegant nurse and respectable caretaker to Ethan in Guzaarish. “Our approach to work is similar. It’s great to work with a friend, and there are no ego issues between us. While watching the film, you suddenly realize that it is a love story, and Guzaarish is one of the most beautiful love stories you will ever see.”
Mr. Roshan acknowledged that Ms. Rai was not the only person responsible for maximizing his talents in Guzaarish. Much of the credit, he says, also belongs to the film’s director, Mr. Bhansali.
“I have never enjoyed so much freedom as an actor. He (Mr. Bhansali) used to just roll the camera and let us act the way we wanted to. You need a lot of faith to do that,” Mr. Roshan proclaimed of the director who also helmed Black.
The trio is also certain that hoards of Hindi film fans will flock to multiplexes, movie theaters, and cinema halls this weekend and enjoy the touchingly heartfelt story that is Guzaarish, which opens worldwide on November 19th.
