He's India's Superman and Michael Jackson rolled into one and it takes a lot of work to stay that way, says Hrithik Roshan.
Ahead of his headlining appearance at this weekend's Zee Dubai Mega Mela, presented by Centrepoint, Roshan isn't letting the prospect of being surrounded by thousands of adoring fans go to his head. "I've been blessed to have so much love," the Bollywood star, currently filming Guzarish alongside his popular co-star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, told tabloid! from the set.
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Roshan will be putting in appearances on the catwalk as well as taking to the stage for Q&A sessions with his fans. While he wouldn't confirm that he'll be dancing, he said he'd be going one better chatting to the crowds. "It's going to be a great opportunity to meet with the fans," he said. "I will do as much as I can. There's lots of things to do and I'm going be there to talk to them, answer some questions whatever it needs."
On dealing with adoring fans
"I don't credit that to myself, it's the magic of the movies, I've been blessed to have so much love. I don't see them as a crowd it's just like a pat on my back and I never take it any other way."
On learning to cope with fame
"I didn't have much time to understand it in fact, I had just three hours with my first film [Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai]. There were people everywhere, they had to call the cops. I didn't understand what was going on, but right from there I had to learn to understand it. It's a compliment."
On learning ballet for Guzarish
"I've been trying to do the jazz ballet pieces and we just wrapped up for the day. [It was already 10pm in India when we spoke.] It was one of the most fab experiences of my life.
"[Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali] put forth the challenge and I wondered if it would be too risky it's not easy to learn ballet, it takes years. But the choreographer was confident. Learning dancing from him has been spiritual. He told me, it will manifest itself if you see it in your head."
On crazy schedules
"I've been working hard because I am nervous about the role. I rehearse in the morning, dancing, then shoot all day, then my workout starts at 11pm. I finish at 1am then I sleep until 8am. It's something I have to go through."
On what drew him to Kites
"I went by instinct. I was looking for a script for two years, but I wasn't sure. I told my dad [the film's scriptwriter, Rakesh Roshan], ‘I don't know if it's the one.' Then [director Anurag] Basu went to work on it and he loved dad's idea. When I saw the scripts, I jumped up from my chair, I was so excited! This is the film I've been waiting and waiting two years for."
On waiting years between films
"My aim is to do 10 films in a year, but it just never happens. My films take too long to get made and after it's made I can't seem to let go — I want to be a part of the post production and give my all in the promotion."
Hrithik's crooning glory
Hrithik Roshan makes his debut as a singer in his much-awaited film Kites, for which he rehearsed 24/7 — be it while brushing his teeth or taking a shower. "Early in the morning, I would start with my sa re ga ma... right from the time I would wake up to brushing my teeth to taking the shower, all the time I sang with hand movements trying to reach the highest scale and the lowest note," Roshan said.
"I was nervous to make my debut as a singer, considering I come from a family that is well-known in the world of music, but for this very reason my uncle [Rajesh Roshan] and director Anurag Basu were most certain that I could sing," he said.
"I have given this song my best and honest shot but I still don't consider myself a professional singer," the 36-year-old said.
-- IANS
