|
Its
not everyday that you bump into a mega star but that's actually
what I did literally it was one of those days when London's weather
could not make up its mind if it was summer or spring one minute
it was cold and the next minute it was too hot, Sounds very familiar!!!???
I
was trying to reach Hrithik Roshan in London and I was told that
he was busy shooting "Kabhi khushi kabhi gham"but if
I really wanted to talk to him he would be happy to talk to me
during breaks while filming Yash Johar's upcoming mega movie with
Shahrukh Khan and Karina Kapoor.
I
was told to come along to location on the banks of river Thames
opposite the Houses of Parliament where the movie was being filmed
and also advised me not to tell anybody otherwise millions of
people would turn up and they would not be able to shoot.
I
made a solemn promise to tell no one but couple of friends
and
they got there before me one of my friends who is happily married
with hubby and kids but still supports posters of Hrithik and
Shahrukh in her bedroom against regular protests from the Hubby
got to location even before the crew got there.
She
was there with the Cameras (still & movie) and a pack of hearty
lunch not only for herself but also for the stars when I asked
if she brought anything for me she protested how dared I put myself
in the same class as her two heroes. I did try to tell her that
I needed the food more than they did but she would not listen
it was to no use so I gave up.
As
I arrived at the Westminster Bridge by the side of Houses of Parliament
I could not see anyone apart from a busload of Japanese tourists
clicking their cameras towards the Big Ben but in the middle of
these four foot nothing gang of tourists I could see from a distance
a tall man standing in the middle trying to get out of the clicking
zone but he was not having much luck.
Upon
reaching little closer I could see a whole lot of beauties surrounding
Hrithik while the tourists did their biz as I got closer and closer
I was sucked into the flood of tourists and somehow I got pushed
into Hrithik and I nearly fell down but bumping into Hrithik saved
me and my camera from falling apart he thought it was his fault
that I nearly fell and he apologised and the honest truth is that
I really did get pushed by these little tourist (I know you don't
believe me)
Eventually
the onslaught by the tourists moved on and the shooting started
again which had been suspended while the clicking camera gang
finished their business
The amazing part was that none of these tourists even looked at
Hrithik or gave him a second glance they probably thought that
he was an Arab with his harem of many women
Little
did these tourists knew, To be so close to him as they were, half
the Asian women would give their arms and a legs and just think
that on top of everything else they pushed me on to him (Honest)
So
I moved further on while the song was played and shooting started
again where a song sequence was being recorded and Hrithik was
surrounded by a large number of Indian and English dancers and
a young woman was telling all the girls what to do and when I
looked closely it was Farah Khan the one who creates the magic
and choreographs every move.
Once the filming finished the small crowd of people who had gathered
around started to ask Hrithik for autographs and pictures and
he happily obliged and was delighted to be with his fans. Now
it was break time and my friend Bunty Walia introduced me to Hrithik
saying this is my friend Shahid I spoke about earlier on Hrithik
said oh yes we met few minutes earlier on the bridge and both
of us burst out in a laugh.
It
was also food time and Yash Johar invited me to join him and the
crew for lunch and Hrithik said I could ask him questions while
he ate I was more concerned for lunch than questions and the food
packs arrived promptly and Me , Bunty and Hrithik moved into a
corner to have a good old chat.
I
could not believe it how easy it was to talk to him, conversation
just flowed I started by asking him about the movie he was recording
and he said it was an interesting story and he thinks it will
be a mega hit once released.
Hrithik
is only 24 and already a huge success there was a lot of talk
about the Khans of bollywood losing ground at Hrithik's expense
but it worked the other way around if anything Hrithik's arrival
has boosted the industry and given more credence to the Khans
its like if there is only one flower in the garden it does not
look that good but if there are many it becomes a bloom.
And
bloomed they did you only had to see Shahrukh at the same shooting
location acting and you could see the depth of his talent and
when Hrithik and Shahrukh worked together it was like a dream
team working at its best.
At
6`-2" tall Hrithik has just perfect height for the career
in movies and he has the natural looks to be successful, he was
groomed through out his life by his famous actor/director father
Rakesh Roshan who is known to be a man of principles and would
not compromise on any issue that's what has made him a great director
and envy of many a jealous people.
Shahid:
-Hrithik what's its like to be the centre of attraction?
Hrithik
: Centre of attraction who me??? Really oh okay If you
say so (big laugh follows)
Shahid:
Definitely not me so it must be you
.
Hrithik:
it's a great feeling when you know so many people love
you in so many ways at times I feel uncomfortable particularly
when I forget that's it me they want the attention from but on
the other hand its nice to be recognised by so many people around
the world for your work
Shahid:
Do you think its because of your work or is it because of your
incredible looks???
Hrithik:
I think its important to have the looks to some extent
but its what's inside you which people get to see and that's what
makes someone popular or unpopular. So I think it's not the looks
in my case but it's my work as an artist, which has earned me
the respect of the people at large
Shahid:
Is it true that you are very much like your father, a man of
principles?
Hrithik:
This is what my father has always taught me to value people and
their views and be strong when it comes to defending your principles.
Nothing is more important when it comes to taking a stand particularly
when you believe that you are right but at the same time its important
to value different opinions and consider other peoples stand too.
My father is a very strong and committed personality it will take
me a long time to be like him and carry his strength
Shahid:
when your Father was shot at did you consider giving up acting?
Hrithik:
Yes I seriously considered giving up acting thinking if this puts
my Father's life in jeopardy than I do not want to be an actor
this was the worst thing ever happened to our family there are
a few people who were hoping that I would fail and my fathers
Hard work and dedication would go to waste but this was not to
be God had gifted my Father with Success and his guidance and
training had shown me the path to achieve my goals too
My Father strongly recommended to me not to give up simply because
this is exactly what these people were trying to achieve by frightening
us I thought about it a lot and than decided to stick to my fathers
advise.
Shahid:
you know you are hugely popular in Pakistan would you like
to visit Pakistan?
Hrithik:
Yes
I know and of course I would love to visit Pakistan whenever it's
possible and meet all my friends there and get to know people
there.
There
is no difference when it comes to people its unfortunate that
India and Pakistan are always at logger heads and I really hope
and pray that things get really better between neighbours and
I am able to visit Pakistan.
Shahid
: do you think there is a chance things between India
and Pakistan would improve in the near future?
Hrithik:
I am no politician I have no idea how things will be in the near
future but its my heartfelt wish and very strong desire that both
countries become friends and sooner the better because its only
the poor masses which are suffering in both countries. And all
these resources wasted on other things could be better spent on
Health, Education, Infrastructure and Welfare of the people who
are really in need of help on both sides of the border.
Shahid:
what would you say to your fans both sides of the border???
Hrithik:
My message to everyone is love and peace, Life is too short to
waste it .we could be helping build each others future and our
generations to come will be for ever indebted to us.
So lets make the most of it and spread a song of love and happiness.
Shahid:
when and if you get to visit Pakistan what would you
like to do?
Hrithik
: I do not think it's a question of If but maybe when
and I do hope its sooner rather than later and once there I would
love to roam around and make new friends get to know them better
get to know Pakistanis culture and above all get to know Pakistani
people on first hand basis.
And as you keep on mentioning Exciting attributes of Lahore I
would love to go to Lahore and visit the Food Street and enjoy
it.
Hrithik is such a humble person it's unbelievable that for someone
of his stature is so down to earth and friendly to everyone he
speaks softly and gently but carries his message with a conviction.
Its true in his case it's not just his looks which win fans over
but it's really his personality, which makes him immensely popular.
|