The cool side of me finally surfaces in 'Dhoom 2': Hrithik

By Subhash K. Jha Aug 19, 2006, 3:54 GMT

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) After scaling new heights with 'Krrish', Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan recently walked the ramp for the first time for sister-in-law Farah Khan.

'I was very self-conscious. But once I took my first step, I was okay. With everyone cheering me, it was quite a high. Unfortunately, I couldn't do enough rehearsals for the event because I was shooting for 'Dhoom 2',' said Hrithik.

''Dhoom 2' is a welcome departure from my goody-goody image. That cool side of me finally surfaces. It features me as a very different me,' Hrithik told IANS.

The actor says he is a big fan of Vishal Bharadwaj's cinema. 'I'd like to do an adaptation and not a straightforward screen version of Shakespeare.'

He is also planning a world tour for 2007 or 2008.

Excerpts:

Q: You walked the ramp for Farah Khan's jewellery last week.

A: That was my first ramp walk for my sister-in-law Farah. It was great fun. I had never walked the ramp before. But anything for Farah. She's one of the most selfless and generous people I know.

She's like the Mother Teresa of our family. She's headstrong. She'll fight for what she thinks is right. And she'll fight even harder for what she thinks is right for others. She carries around this happy positive vibe. Just the fact that she got half the heroes of Bollywood to walk the ramp in jewellery shows how much she is loved by everyone.

Q: Were you self-conscious walking the ramp?

A: Very. But once I took my first steps I was okay. With everyone cheering me, it was quite a high. Unfortunately, I couldn't do enough rehearsals for the event - I was shooting for 'Dhoom 2' -- although they did have rehearsals.

So, when I actually went on the ramp I was pretty much in the dark until I saw the crowd. Only then did I realise what I had got myself into.

Q: Why not a world tour to cash in on 'Krrish'?

A: Yeah, we're planning one. Some of my friends from the industry are planning a tour for 2007 or 2008. But not right away.

Q: The teaser trailer of 'Dhoom 2' has the nation in a grip.

A: It's definitely going to take me to another world away from 'Krrish'. I've never been hired to do something like this before. I was waiting for this chance.

I'm very calm, composed and cool in 'Dhoom 2'. So far I've played the devoted brother, obedient son, obliging friend and faithful lover. 'Dhoom 2' is a welcome departure from my goody-goody image. That cool side of me finally surfaces. 'Dhoom 2' features me as a very different me.

Q: Onirban wants to cast you as Hamlet?

A: Hamlet! That's interesting. I'd love to hear what he has in mind. I'd like to do an adaptation and not a straightforward screen version of Shakespeare. 'Hamlet' has been done so many times in America - but something like what Vishal Bharadwaj has done in 'Omkara' is welcome. I'm a very big fan of Vishal's cinema. I really want to work with him.

Q: Why are filmmakers afraid to approach you. Why do they think you and your dad are a hard team to break?

A: That's ridiculous, yaar! Here is an actor whose second film after 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' was directed by a film critic Khalid Mohamed in which I played the protagonist's brother.

Then I've gone on to do films with new directors like Arjun Sablok and Kunal Kohli. And now I'm doing a film with Zoya Akhtar, who is also a new director.

Q: Zoya pairs you with Kareena Kapoor again.

A: Yes, we haven't been seen together for a while. But we keep bumping into each other socially.

Q: Do you think Kareena has evolved as an actor?

A: She was already evolved when we started working together in Karan's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. I haven't seen her recent films. But I've heard good things about her in 'Omkara'.

Q: Will there be awkwardness between the two of you?

A: Why? Because of the rumours about us? I'd be awkward if there was any truth to the rumours. If there was even the smallest discomfort, why would we agree to work together again and that too with a new director? The last thing Zoya needs is a stressed lead pair.

Q: Zoya will be your first female director?

A: Yes. It'd be interesting. It's a completely different sensibility.

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service