I’d never work with any other actor: Rakesh Roshan

Bollywood director opens up about his relationship with son Hrithik Roshan.

MUMBAI: As Hrithik Roshan turns 40 on Friday, his father and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan says he would never work with any other actor, unless he is making a women-centric drama like Khoon Bhari Maang.

Rakesh launched his son’s career with the blockbuster Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai. They later worked together on the superhero-based Krrish series.

Getting emotional, he said, “He can work with outside directors. But I’d never work with any other actor, unless I am making an out-and-out heroine-oriented film like Khoon Bhari Maang. I might be tempted to make a film with a female protagonist, but only if Hrithik is too busy to work with me.”

“When I was an actor, I could feel a film-maker lurking within me. I was never satisfied as an actor. I had a big hit like Kaamchor, but that helped Jaya Prada’s career, not mine. I knew God wanted me to be a director,” said Rakesh.

Rakesh predicts that Hrithik, too, will direct a film someday. “Now I feel Hrithik, who is such a successful actor far more than I ever could be, has a film-maker within him. He will 100 per cent direct a film someday. Mark my words; he’ll be a very fine director. I am sure of that. He may not be a good producer, but he’ll be a terrific director,” he said.

Rakesh has enjoyed Hrithik’s films outside the family banner. “I liked his performance immensely in Jodhaa Akbar, Agneepath, Guzaarish and especially Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in which he had to play a normal regular guy. That’s really difficult to do. He never made us feel that a superstar was playing the role,” he said.

Recently, Hrithik announced that he and his wife Sussanne have parted ways, after the latter decided to annul their marriage. “My wife and I want Hrithik to be happy and at peace with himself, no matter what,” said Rakesh, who looks forward to launching Hrithik’s sons  — Hrehaan and Hridhaan  — as future leading men.

“Provided they want to be in films, I’d love to launch them. My blessings are with Hrithik. Whatever he does in life, my wife and I want him to never change. He’s kind, helpful and generous. He deserves happiness,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2014.

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