Hrithik Roshan admits he turned down Aamir Khan roles in ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ as he lights up Colombo's City Of Dreams launch

Colombo, Sri Lanka: It was drizzling in Colombo as Hrithik Roshan arrived to inaugurate City of Dreams, a $1.2 billion integrated resort with hotels, a shopping district and a gaming zone. But by the time the sharply suited up Hrithik took to the stage, the weather had become an afterthought.

Replacing Shah Rukh Khan as the face of the property for the opening, the War 2 star was in his element – dancing with fans, revisiting his iconic Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai hook step, and teasing moves from his upcoming action film where he returns as the suave spy Kabir. He handled the vanilla questions with ease, offering glimpses into a surprisingly thoughtful side.

And in a refreshingly candid moment, he spoke about two roles he regrets walking away from.

“I said no to Dil Chahta Hai, and I said no to 3 Idiots. But I think Aamir [Khan] was the right choice for both those films. It had a destiny.”

It was one of many personal nuggets he dropped that evening.

Despite being Bollywood’s most watchable dancer, Roshan admits he is far from perfect.

“One is my dialogues. If I'm not in front of the camera in my real life, my dialogues I will never remember. And the second one is, unfortunately, my dance steps. I can never remember both once I step away from the cameras. It's unbelievable.” he said with a grin.

Even at 50, Roshan is willing to take risks. He is set to direct the superhero fantasy film Krrish 4 for the first time in his career.

“I am [expletive] scared,” he admitted. “I need all your love and blessings. I am very excited, but also very nervous. Encouragement will go a long way. I'm scared, but I'm also very, very excited about this new chapter in my life."

In between big projects, Roshan did something few stars dare to do – step away from social media.

“Try a detox from social media for a week. I tried it. And trust me, there were so many realisations. Something switched in me. I got more aware of how much time is available to me. My brain literally healed in that one week. I breathed and I got more self aware. I got bored, but it's all good. Those are all good things. Getting bored is OK too.”

That discipline extends to his holidays too – even though he admits he often abandons his own plans.

“I am a very strict planner,” he said. “I plan everything out – reservations, schedules, I know what I'm doing on which day. But as soon as I land at my holiday spot, I become completely the opposite. I become spontaneous. Things are reserved and stuff, but I'm also just left to my instincts and I do whatever the hell I feel like doing.”

Roshan will return as Kabir in War 2, this time opposite Kiara Advani. Even the dance rehearsals for the song 'Aavan Jaavan' weren’t as effortless as they look on screen.

“It was a really easy step. But for some reason, when Kiara and I were rehearsing, we were struggling to match our hands and our legs. I had to move like her, she had to move like me. So even though it was simple, it became complicated in trying to match each other. There have been very difficult steps that I've done which were actually very easy. Like Main Aisa Kyu Hoon looked really difficult, but Mr. Prabhudeva made it so easy for me because he had somebody with me for a month, and I slowly moved into those steps every day, a little bit, a little bit, and then magic, that masterpiece, was born.”

Roshan is disarmingly frank about his own curiosity.

“Yes, I have [Googled myself], and I have been surprised – I can't even begin to say what I found, but I was surprised. Being a celebrity, you sometimes need to check.”

And when no one’s watching?

“I do my own dance moves in front of the mirror. It makes me feel like a fool before, but not anymore now. I do it all the time, and I find myself thinking I'm such a fool, but off late, I think I've changed my mind. I don't think it's foolish. Guys, you find a moment to let loose and dance, no matter where you are, just do it.”

And if you’re waiting for a mischievous streak, you’ll be disappointed.

“I just feel so bad for the guy I'm pranking that I give it up and I make a mess of it all. I've tried so many times. I am a really bad prankster.”

By the time the event ended, the rain had stopped. Colombo had a brand new landmark – and a reminder of why Hrithik Roshan continues to be one of Bollywood’s most grounded and philosophical stars.