April News 2008

Hrithik returns cheque to Adlabs for 30 crore deal
April 29, 2008
It is reported that Hrithik wants to return the cheque that Adlabs offered him for a three movie deal.

The buzz about the multi-crore deal that Hrithik had struck with Adlabs last year is that it's off! Hrithik wants to return the full amount to Adlabs. But the company is not willing to take a no for an answer. According to a source, "Hrithik has given the cheque back. But they aren't accepting it. In fact they've asked him to keep the money and they'll make just one film instead of three films for that whole amount with him at a date convenient to him." Hrithik won't comment on the status of his deal with Adlabs.

All he says about star prices is, "The corporate companies are looking at the movie market expanding in the next 3-4 years. I agree many recent films haven't done well. But Om Shanti Om and Jodhaa-Akbar reaffirmed the industry's faith in big films. Jodhaa-Akbar was a period film and above three hours long with no commercial trappings. Theatres across India could've just four shows daily. And it's done 150 crore-rupee business worldwide. For me that's what matters, not the controversies that happened initially. It's my biggest hit ever overseas."

'Jodhaa Akbar' on home video
April 26, 2008
CEO of BIG Music announced today that Jodhaa Akbar will be released on DVD and VCD in a couple of weeks time.

Kites will be in Hindi, Spanish and English
April 26, 2008
Rakesh Roshan talks about Krazzy 4, Krrish and Kites in an interview with Deccan Herald.

Tell us something about your film Kites?
Kites is a love story-cum-thriller. I chose the title Kites because I feel that a pair of kites on the sky reminds us of romantic pairs. Kites will star Hrithik Roshan, Barbara and Kangana Ranaut. We wanted a Spanish actress. While Barbara will speak only in Spanish in the film, Hrithik will speak in Hindi and English and hence the film will be made in Hindi, Spanish as well as English.

Why have you kept the sequel of Krrish on hold?
I enjoyed making Krrish. As a maker I throw a challenge to myself when I set out to make a film, whether I would be able to make that film. That keeps me going till I complete it. I feel I was falling into the same trap when I was writing the sequel to Krrish. I will be happy with the script only if I am able to go a level higher than that of Krrish. Only then will I launch Krrish

Will you direct at least the sequel to Krrish?
I may or may not direct the sequel to Krrish. It is not necessary that the same director should also direct the sequel. Abroad, the sequels of Spiderman and Rocky were directed by different directors. Weren't they? I feel that if I ask another director to direct the sequel of Krrish, he may be able to give a different dimension to the project.

Do you think Hrithik can prove to be a good director?
Hrithik had executed the whole song though Ganesh Acharya was doing the steps for Krazzy 4. Though it is a fact that when I am making a film, Hrithik takes half the burden off me as a director, However Hrithik will not take his step as a director right now. I feel that he should not change his track when he is doing well as an actor. I feel actors should not have hassles and tension when they are actors.

Dobaara Daddy: Hrithik won't fly
April 24, 2008
Hrithik will not be attending the Zee Cine Awards in London on Saturday because Sussanne is due anytime now. "I'm just not stepping out of Mumbai. That's why I had to say no to the Zee awards. Right now, I can't focus on any work that takes me out of the city," he says. As for his cameo in Luck By Chance he says, "We've been shooting in the nights for the last few days. I've one full song to do before I am done. That will keep me busy till the end of the week,"

Cineblitz scans
April 24, 2008
Gabriele sent in scans of Hrithik's interview and pics from the April issue of Cineblitz magazine, click on thumbnails to enlarge.

Video Download: Hrithik's Vogue cover photoshoot
April 24, 2008
Hrithik and Bipasha will grace the cover of the upcoming India's edition of Vogue magazine for men. Download a clip of the photoshoot here. Update: Here's a photo of the cover.

Hrithik Roshan's always been known for his sense of style, so it is no wonder that he's now on the cover of fashion magazine Vogue known to be exclusively for men. "It's a paradox of sorts because I am not conversant with fashion at all. I hope they know what they're doing. They have me on the cover," says Hrithik. However, the actor who's known to be a sharp dresser doesn't care too much for the style icon tag. I get away with some help from friends in the fashion industry," says the actor.

The Editor of Vogue India, Priya Tanna is certainly all praises for Hrithik. "He has been stylish right from the start. No matter if his movies do well or they don't, people have always noticed him and given him attention," says Priya. With two of the best lookers in Bollywood making it to the cover of the fashion bible, it is certainly a double whammy for all serious followers of fashion this summer.

Tips from Hrithik
April 23, 2008
Hrithik's tips on how to watch Saawariya.

There's a story going around that Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants to base his next film on the (in)famous Heera Mandi (red light area) in Lahore, Pakistan. In fact, one of his friends is already in the neighbouring country doing a recce. That Heera Mandi is a subject that has fascinated Sanjay Bhansali for quite a few years now is no secret. But it is news (unconfirmed, of course, since Sanjay plays his cards close to his chest) that the film-maker and Hrithik Roshan are in talks about working together in Sanjay's next film. If one remembers right, Hrithik was a special guest at the premiere of Saawariya — Sanjay had personally called him up and invited him. After the premiere too, when half the world was busy panning the film, Hrithik was one of the few to say that he'd enjoyed the experience. He had even given a tip to yours truly on how to watch Saawariya to really connect with the film.

"There is a shot right at the beginning of the film, a wide shot of this entire fantasy city," ran Hrithik's guide to viewing Saawariya. "It's a CG (computer graphics) shot, where the scene looks almost like a comic book, a fairy tale visual. The voiceover (by Rani Mukherjee) says, 'This story is not of this world.' I hooked on to that and I went on to see a film that was not of my world, not of the monotonous, day-to-day city life. I'd found that first shot unreal. And I knew that if Sanjay Leela Bhansali was making a film where he wanted to show something very real, he would not use a CG shot that looked so unreal. That CG looked so much like a fable, like a fantasy shot. I knew at that moment that I could not watch this film from my world."

Warming up to his theory, Hrithik suggested, "In fact I think Sanjay should have — it's foolish of me to suggest something to such a maker but — I wish that moment, when Rani's voiceover talks, had been stressed upon. Few got the right perspective. Fortunately, I got it because of that one shot." Having hit upon the right way to watch a fantasy world unfold, Hrithik Roshan found Saawariya engrossing cinema. And that must've been music to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ears at that juncture when his film was being torn apart by everybody.

If Bhansali and Roshan do come together, it will follow a pattern that both have individually followed. Sanjay, like most directors, likes the excitement of working with a variety of good actors — he has worked with Salman Khan, Nana Patekar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor so far. Directing the picky Hrithik would give Sanjay the adrenaline rush he needs as a film-maker. Hrithik, on his part, has also followed his heart as an actor. He looks at directors more than the box office of their films. For instance, Hrithik wanted to work with Ashutosh Gowariker, the director, after watching, not Lagaan but Swades!

After working with some of the best in the business (dad Rakesh Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Ashutosh G), adding to his kitty of good directors is Hrithik's agenda. He already has Anurag Basu (Metro, Gangster) directing him in Rakesh Roshan's next production. It makes sense to follow up a grand Ashutosh film with the sensibilities of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Immediately after Saawariya bombed, I'd asked Hrithik if he'd do a film with Sanjay. And the conversation ran thus:

Would you do a film with him?
"Of course I would."
Would your saying 'yes' depend on the script?
Hrithik's respect for the film-maker was unwavering. "Not really," he answered. "I would just need to identify with the world and the character. As for the script, I have enough faith in the film-maker." Whether it's Heera Mandi or any other subject (even Bajirao-Mastani), a Sanjay-Hrithik union would have a certain unbeatable freshness to it.

Hrithik shot Luck By Chance
April 22, 2008
Mid-Day reports that Hrithik skipped Mumbai Indians' IPL match on Sunday due to tight shooting schedule, they said that Hrithik spent the whole day on Saturday shooting his cameo appearance in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance.

FX in 'Krazzy 4' song done in SRK's studio: Hrithik
April 22, 2008
Hrithik talks about his item number for Krazzy 4 in an interview with MSN.

No chocolates for Hrehaan
April 22, 2008
No chocolates for Hrehaan, Hrithik said, "he can have all kinds of cake...except chocolate".

The one treat that Hrithik's little son looked forward to on his second birthday recently was …chocolate cake! Little Hrehaan isn't allowed that bit of culinary indulgence. Says the protective papa, "He can have all kinds of cake…except chocolate. I feel his body doesn't need it for the first few years. Actually, you don't need chocolate at all at any stage of your life. It just displaces your hunger for proper food. That really bothers me. The moment a child has a chocolate, he grows addicted. I allow Hrehaan to have all kinds of cakes. But not chocolate. As it is, from the time he has a life of his own with his friends, he'll have all the access to chocolate. Believe me I know."

So is Hrithik a strict dad? "Only as far as Hrehaan's diet is concerned. As a child, I ate the wrong kind of food. In my later years, I really had to clean myself up. It was really tough, and I don't want Hrehaan to go through it. So, I'm conditioning him to do the right thing from the start." Chocolaty indulgence apart, Hrehaan's second birthday was big fun for the birthday boy and his father. "We had a nice little party in one of the clubs in Juhu. Sussanne organized everything to the last detail. All of Hrehaan's friends were there. We did the usual fun things, like a magic show and an air castle for them to jump around, there was a mini-train and lots and lots of balloons. But Hrehaan was most excited about the chocolate cake." Can't blame the little fellow.

Hrehaan has something else to look forward to. He has a little sister/brother coming up in the first week of May. Says Hrithik, "I'm really looking forward it. Fatherhood will be equally beautiful the second time around. It cannot be any other way."

Hrithik's popularity puts reality show in trouble!
April 22, 2008
Shooting for Hrithik's appearance on Yeh Hai Jalwa was almost impossible when unwanted fans kept pouring in on the sets. Hrithik also met his look alike on the show.

Hrithik Roshan's immense fan following recently gave the production team of a reality show a terrible headache as his fans just kept pouring in on the sets when they were strictly uninvited! Said the unit hand of the dance reality show 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', "We had a tough time managing the crowds as not only Hrithik's fans gate crashed the show but also the relatives of the contestants who were strictly warned not to come! All this populated the show unnecessarily creating havoc and chaos! Even Hrithik was taken aback by all this!

Dressed in an 'all-denim' outfit even Hritihik looked tense and finally shook a leg to calm down his wild fans! He danced on Krazzy 4's 'Breakfree' just to oblige his fans who had come from the nook and corner of the country to get a glimpse of him. We (the production team) suffered though!" said a frustrated production member of the show! Now this is what we call the Jalwa of Hrithik Roshan!

Hrithik on Yeh Hai Jalwa
April 17, 2008
Hrithik will appear on 9X's Yeh Hai Jalwa this Sunday, April 20 at 8 pm.

Video Download: Interview with Hrithik on Eye Candy
April 17, 2008
Nina has captured an interview with Hrithik on Eye Candy, download here.

Video Download: IPL Mumbai Indians promo video
April 16, 2008
Update: I've replaced the video with a larger version from Indiafm, download here

Video Download: Interview with Hrithik on B4U
April 16, 2008
Hrithik did an interview on B4U Star Stop during the promotion for Jodhaa Akbar, download here. Thanks to Sonia and Varnika for the tip.

Video Download: IPL Mumbai Indians promo video
April 15, 2008
2crazy4friends has captured Hritihik's promo video for the IPL Mumbai Indians team, download here. NDTV has a report here

Yash Raj signs Hrithik Roshan
April 13, 2008
Rumour has it that Yash Raj Films has signed Hrithik to star in their new production in which he will star opposite Sonam Kapoor. Aditya Chopra has finalised a script for which he had approached both Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik. The film will be a romantic action with Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee in the female leads and will be directed by Pradeep Sarkar. Production is expected to begin in June in Greece.

Hrithik cool and cheerful
April 10, 2008
Hrithik has commented on the rumour of him being waxed for Madame Tussauds's Wax Museum in London and the twins.

Hrithik laughed off the news as being a 'happy rumour' that has been floating around lately. "I cannot say anything at this point," Hrithik said, "because nobody from Madame Tussauds has contacted me as yet. But it's a happy and delightful rumour." The action and romantic star, who has a huge following around the world, added, "If it happens, it will certainly be a high compliment and a magnificient acknowledgement of my work. I would be very flattered to be standing next to many legends."

Meanwhile, there's another rumour about Hrithik that could be described as being in the 'happy' category. He and Sussanne are about to be parents again and the story goes that they are expecting twins! Son Hrehan is about to have not one, but two siblings for company. Hrithik laughed again, "That's not true, there are no twins on the scene, we are looking forward to our next child, yes, but twins are just another happy rumour."

Shah Rukh, Hrithik and I are above rumours
April 10, 2008
Rakesh Roshan clarifies the rumour about SRK being upset about Hrithik's Krazzy 4 item number being used to promote the film.

"We know what the truth is. In fact, I met Shah Rukh at an awards function the other day. We both laughed over these reports. Maybe a section of the media thinks it knows better. But Shah Rukh, Hrithik and I are above these attempts to create a rift between us," Rakesh Roshan told us. "The fact of the matter is it was Hrithik's idea to approach Shah Rukh for the dance number. Why would he suddenly feel threatened by Shah Rukh?" asks Rakesh Roshan.

A source very close to the Roshans said: "From the very start when Shah Rukh was roped in to do one version of the 'Krazzy 4' song, Hrithik had gone on record to state that Shah Rukh's version of the number would be used as a part of the film. "Hrithik, who at that time couldn't perform the item song because of a bad knee, had explained the situation to Shah Rukh. He had also stated clearly that whenever Hrithik was able to perform after his knee injury, his version of the item song would be used for promotional purposes.

"And rightly so...the song is composed by his uncle and is part of Hrithik's home production. It's his sister Sunayana's first attempt at being producer and Hrithik is very proud of her and the film. So why should Shah Rukh be miffed with the Roshans?"

Hrithik and Katrina Kaif to perform in stadiums for IPL
April 10, 2008
SAWF reports that Hrithik and Katrina Kaif will perform in stadiums for IPL. Hrithik is not only filming a promotional video for Mukesh Ambani's IPL team - Mumbai Indians he will cavort with the team members in the stadium to the beats of the team's anthem, reports HT.

Hrithik under Dave's spell
April 10, 2008
Hypnotherapist Dave Crane talks about the time he hynotised Hrithik and Zayed.

Motivational speaker, hypnotherapist, neurolinguistic programming master practitioner and life designer Dave Crane recently got his teeth into Bollywood where he had stars like Hrithik Roshan and Zayed Khan under this spell. "I hypnotised Hrithik Roshan and a whole lot of Bollywood stars including Zayed Khan Simi Garewal and Pooja Bedi," said Dubai-based Dave. "I held a hypnosis session at veteran actor Sanjay Khan's [Hrithik's father-in-law] house where I met several Bollywood stars. I took them on a trip of their mind and, at the end of the session, Hrithik and Zayed were talking about making a movie on it. I didn't even know who these guys were."

Who will direct Krrish 2?
April 8, 2008
Either Rakesh Roshan or Rakeysh Mehra will direct Krrish 2, both directors are working on the scripts and the one with the better script will direct the film.

So what's the truth on Krrish 2? Is Rakesh Roshan directing the sequel to the blockbuster hit or has Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra been entrusted the directorial reins of the film? Everyone's busy speculating since neither Roshan Sr. nor Mehra have issued an official statement so far. Krrish being a Filmkraft [Roshan's banner] property/brand, a clarification from Roshan Sr. would be utmost important at this juncture. "Let me clarify that both Mehra and I are working on our respective scripts. He [Mehra] had expressed eagerness to direct the film and we had mutually decided that whoever comes up with a better script would direct KRRISH 2. So, let's see," Roshan Sr. tells me.

Meanwhile, Hrithik is all set to begin filming Kites [produced by Roshans and directed by Anurag Basu]. Not much is known about the film. "It's a love story. The girl is Spanish, the boy is Indian and neither can understand the other's language," he reveals the gist. Ask him if Hrithik is concentrating on home productions currently, the proud father shoots back, "He has always believed in working in one film at a time. Post Kites, if there's an offer that excites him, I am sure he won't refuse it."

Hrithik Roshan shoots for Mumbai IPL team
April 8, 2008
A report on the shooting of a promo video for Mumbai IPL team.

The story goes that when Ambani had approached Hrithik, he was keen to endorse the team, but expressed anguish over travelling to Karjat for shooting purposes, as he is nursing his knee injury. The billionaire business magnate immediately promised to provide 'comfortable' transport, which later came in the form of his private chopper. A source close to Mukesh Ambani says, "We have chosen Hrithik to be the face of our team and shoot for the IPL anthem because he has the right persona and attitude."

The source further informs, "They shoot in the night at ND Studios, as the video has a night sequence. So Hrithik boards the chopper by 5 pm, and reaches the sets in minutes. Hrithik shoots till the wee hours and flies back to Mumbai after the shot is over in the same chopper." When quizzed about Hrithik's chopper ride, papa Rakesh Roshan says, "Yes, he has been shooting for the Mumbai IPL team. What can I say about his night journeys, he's only doing his job. I have no idea regarding the creative nature of his shoot as I don't travel with him."

Cinthol ad has more action than 'Dhoom 2': Hrithik
April 7, 2008
Hrithik talks about his commerical for Cinthol in an interview with IANS, he also said he has signed only one film this year so far, Anurag Basu's "Kites".

Video Download: Making of Krazzy 4 and Introducing Hrehaan
April 7, 2008
Indiafm has a clip of the making of Krazzy 4 which includes a first shot of Hrehaan on the set of Hrithik's item number. The making of special was also shown on Sony with another shot of little Hrehaan, I've edited the two videos together to just Hrithik and Hrehaan's part, download here.

IPL promo video
April 6, 2008
Hrithik will be one of the celebrities taking part in a star studded promotional video for IPL

The star studded promotional video will feature many people from the industry, along with the cricketers of course. Says Anu Malek, who is composing the song, "I have composed the music for the team song. Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala, Udit Narayan and I have sung the song. Javed Akhtar saab has written the lyrics." The video will feature all the 11 cricketers of the team, which means that you will see Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Robin Uthappa, Shaun Pollock and the rest of the team sporting their uniforms and posing while Hrithik does what he is best at – dancing!

A bevy of others actors and actresses are also being roped in to give a further push to this song. "The lyrics of this song are young, spirited and sound like an anthem. The music has been composed in such a way that it feels like you are singing for the nation," explains Javed Akhtar. It is rumoured that Ashutosh Gowariker, fresh from directing Jodhaa Akbar, will again helm this Hrithik song.

Deleted scenes of Jodhaa Akbar on UTV
April 5, 2008
UTV will be airing the deleted scenes from Jodhaa Akbar on their newly launched channel UTV Movies, no info yet on when they will be shown, please check local listings for confirmation.

Hrithik Roshan plays the perfect husband
April 5, 2008
Filming of Hrithik's next, "Kite" has been postponed to July.

After Jodhaa Akbar's success, Hrithik Roshan is dedicating most of his time to his wife Susanne, who is expecting a second child in May. Post the Ashutosh Gowariker film he only shot a special item song for his father's production Krazzy 4 which is releasing next Friday. And he will only start shooting for his forthcoming Kite after Susanne's delivery. That apart he will only be making a guest appearance in Zoya Akhtar's debut film Kismet Talkies. But presently he is just too engrossed in preparing for fatherhood. It is a known fact that Hrithik loves his wife very much and that's why he is taking extra care of her. He prepares juice for her and in his Merc he has made a special arrangement so that Susanne feels comfortable. Then, he himself edited his Krazzy 4 song sitting at his home in Juhu. Reveals uncle Rajesh Roshan, "Doctors are saying that this time she will be having twins so let's see. Hrithik is a very caring and loving husband. Last month I had gone to their house for Holi and over there I saw he was in the kitchen! This time he wants a baby girl. It was his decision to postpone the shooting schedule of Kite from May to July as the film will be releasing in mid 2009."

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