November News 2008

Video Download: Hello magazine photoshoot - Zoom
November 26, 2008
Zoom has a clip of Hrithik and Sussanne's Hello magazine photoshoot, download here.

Hrithik nominated for V Shantaram Awards 2008
November 26, 2008
Hrithik has been nominated for V Shantaram Awards 2008 for Best Actor for Jodhaa-Akbar, winners will be announced next month at the awards night.

Heera Mandi
November 25, 2008
According to Indiaglitz, Hrithik and Ash's next film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be called "Heera Mandi".

Hrithik made a drink for De Niro
November 25, 2008
Hrithik talked about his meeting with Robert De Niro at the grand opening of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai over the weekend. Bob had asked Hrithik to make him a drink at the event.

"It wasn't as easy as it sounds," admitted Hrithik, "for de Niro at some stage of his life was a bartender, he knows his drinks, and the recipe for what he wanted that night ran into two pages. I had to take the help of five waiters to mix it for him!" But Hrithik's reward was the time the Hollywood actor then spent with him.

According to Hrithik, he almost never went for the event. "Shah Rukh Khan and I decided we wouldn't go. But our wives took off. And when Gauri and Sussanne got to Dubai and told us to join them there, we had no choice," revealed Hrithik. He said Shah Rukh, Farhan Akhtar and he greeted de Niro by touching his feet. Hrithik also bonded with Hollywood bad guy and action man Wesley Snipes.

"He's cool, we exchanged fitness secrets and spoke about the best places in the world to party. He's particular about his workouts. Even after partying all night, Wesley was at the gym the next morning," said Hrithik. The Bollywood superstars are busy making DVDs of their best works to send to all new friends in Hollywood. Hrithik said he intends sending Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Krissh and Jodhaa-Akbar. "My son thinks I'm superman," he said, "hopefully Robert de Niro will accept that I'm an actor, too."

Video Download: Grand Opening of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai
November 23, 2008
NDTV has a clip of Hrithik at the Grand Opening of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, download here.

Video Download: Luck By Chance trailer
November 23, 2008
Trailer for Zoya Akhtar's 'Luck By Chance' is now online, Hrithik made a guest appearance playing the superstar in the film, download video here.

Hrithik confirms film with Bhansali
November 19, 2008
Mumbai Mirror has an interview with Hrithik where he confirms that he will be starring in Sanjay Leela Bhansali next film with Aishwarya Rai.

Hrithik Roshan has become quite choosy of late and this is quite apparent by the fact that the only film Hrithik has signed after his home production Kites is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next. Hrithik confirmed this and said, "Sanjay Bhansali's film is the only film that I've accepted after Kites. I just jumped at it. We're both very passionate film persons.Though there's one other script that I'm looking at, nothing touched my soul except Bhansali's script."

"I believe he's passionate and his passion is evident in his films. I thought Devdas and Saawariya were spectacular. I'm no one to judge, but I thought Saawariya was wrongly marketed.Otherwise it was as passionate as his earlier films," raved Hrithik about Bhansali

Hrithik is also pretty excited about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being his co-star in the film. After all they shared a very special chemistry in Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa-Akbar. "The pairing with Aishwarya will be as special as the film that will project it. It's always about how committed and passionate the script allows us to be. Given Sanjay's calibre I don't see why we won't be able to recreate the same chemistry again. The project is definitely going into a different territory, in more ways than one," he said, hinting at a unique shooting location.

The film will require a great deal of emotional wrenching from Hrithik. "I feel all the physical pain and turmoil that I've gone through in the recent past will add to my experiences as an actor. The more turmoil I go through the better I am as an actor. My work is about creativity and not about the business side of it. I know Sanjay's film will offer me optimum emotional sustenance," he signed off.

Video Download: Inauguration of audio and speech therapy wing at Nanavati Hospital
November 19, 2008
Hrithik was the Nanavati Hospita to inaugurate the audio and speech therapy wing at hospital, download video here.

'All the memory of my past difficulties came spilling out at Nanavati. When I met my doctor who treated me at age 14 for stammering I could barely control my emotions. It's not easy to be a special child,' Hrithik, who inaugurated it Sunday, told IANS. 'You may be called 'special' to make you feel less troubled about your disability. But only a child who goes through the physical or psychological disability knows the trauma,' said Bollywood superhero Hrithik. Sharing his own trauma at Nanavati was a cathartic experience.

'As someone who has a certain standing I feel it's my duty to tell kids with disabilities to chill. 'It's okay, guys. I got over it. So will you.' I think it's very important for me to convey this message far and wide and I want to do it more often. 'When I stood there at Nanavati thinking of all those kids who would benefit by the facilities provided by my money, I felt very good about myself. It's all very well to look after your own immediate family and care for friends. But I believe money should also be used for the larger good. That's what I realised Sunday evening.

'I feel charity is a very selfish thing. I feel so good after doing it. I'm sure those who will benefit from my donation wouldn't feel as good about life as I do.' The wing has been named after his grandmother Ira Roshan. 'I shared some great times with my daadi (grandmother) during my childhood and growing years. Today, seeing my name and hers being associated with such a project, she must be smiling down,' said Hrithik.

Hrithik in The Legend of Rama
November 19, 2008
Mumbai Mirror reports that Hrithik's father-in-law Sanjay Khan is set to produce a film, The Legend of Rama, to be co-scripted by Sanjay Khan and UK-based author Farrukh Dhondy. According to sources, the cast includes Hrithik as Ram, Sanjay's son Zayed as Laxman and Amitabh Bachchan as Dashrath.

Talking about this epic project, Zayed Khan says, "Yes, my father is indeed making the Ramayan. It's called The Legend of Rama. He has been planning this film for the last three years and looking for a perfect to play Ram. And who but Hrithik could be the perfect choice for the role?"

Dhondy, who is currently in Mumbai to give finishing touches to the script says, "It's Ramayan in modern format and the script is ready. This means it will be the Ramayan in The Lord Of The Rings genre. The screenplay has the motion, motivation and movement of a Shakespearean play. When you do a Mahabharat, Ramayan or any other scripture the danger is, it just becomes - the Gods did this, Gods did that because the Gods can do anything they like. That's why you are taught in writing school to never include Gods in your creativity. I'm trying to rationalise the ways of the Gods. Hrithik is the perfect Ram and Zayed the perfect Laxman."

Shark tales
November 19, 2008
Hrithik talks about swimming with sharks when he and Sussanne were on their vacation in Bora Bora recently.

Revealing the details Hrithik said, "The best thing was that we swam mid-ocean with the sharks. They were in the waters some distance away from Bora Bora where we were holidaying. It was the most memorable experience of our life. I can't wait to tell you what we went through."

"Susanne and I were taken mid-ocean which is infested with sharks. And then we were asked to jump in. At first I was somewhat hesitant and you can't blame me for that. Swimming with the sharks is all very well as a concept but this was for real. Even though our guide assured us that these sharks don't attack human beings since they are fed enough meat every day, it was still a daunting task. And we required no scuba diving equipment, just a swimming costume and snorkel," said Hrithik.

What convinced Hrithik to take the plunge was his wife's excitement. "She was eager to get into the ocean immediately. Being a man, I couldn't hesitate after that. And boy, am I glad we jumped in. It was the most awesome experience. There were sharks and stingrays. Some were as large as six feet… terrifying creatures of the deep, eating out of our hands, touching our bodies and moving away. We've never been closer to nature," said Hrithik.

But that wasn't the end of an exhilarating experience. Hrithik and Susanne were hungry for more since they wanted to click pictures. "We went back the next day because we forgot to click pictures. Our son Hrehaan loves sharks. How could we go back home without pictures of all those sharks in the water? So we once again went swimming with sharks just for our son," said Hrithik.

Busy schedule for Hrithik
November 16, 2008
Hrithik will start shooting for Macroman and Coke commercials from last week of November till the first week of December. The Mumbai schedule of Kites will commence and will go on till end of February after which he will again shoot for John Players and Cinthol and some other brands too in March.

Video Download: Hello magazine photoshoot
November 13, 2008
Times Now has a clip of Hrithik and Sussanne's Hello magazine photoshoot, download here. Scans of the magazine here.

Suzanne, "there is good and bad to everything, so even in a relationship or when your married, there are ups and downs, and that's what's exciting, otherwise there is nothing exciting, it will be boring. But that's life and you have to keep moving. I dont think that I can ever get cynical about relationships because the two, enjoy the good moments and feel sad about the sad moments. I think it's a part of everyones life.

Hrithik who ambles into the shoot mid way is totally supportive of his wife's decision to go so public. "Suneet Varma was there at home and they were trying clothes and I was giving my take and suddenly he poped the question and he said why don't you also come along and I said, ya why not," said Hrithik. Full article

Hrithik donates Rs 20 lakh to hospital for speech therapy centre
November 12, 2008
Hrithik has donated Rs 20 lakh to Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, for a state-of-the-art electrophysiology and electroacoustic centre for audiology and speech therapy.

The centre will treat patients with speech and hearing disability at subsidised costs. Hrithik used to stammer as a child and underwent treatment for the same. Hrithik's father, Rakesh Roshan told MiD DAY, "It's our way of ensuring that patients with speech and hearing disabilities avail of advanced medical care." The unit would be named after Ira Roshan, Hrithik's grandmother, who was hearing impaired.

Dr Ramesh Oza, who heads the audiology and speech therapy unit at Nanavati Hospital, said that the centre would be inaugurated on November 16 and is equipped with modern machinery imported from the US and Denmark. Oza also mentioned that underprivileged patients would especially get treatment at subsidised costs. Despite repeated attempts, Hrithik Roshan remained unavailable for comments.

No longer weak-kneed
November 9, 2008
Hrithik talks about his injured knee and his role in Kites. The movie is now in production in Mumbai for two months.

Hrithik then suggested to his dad that he should sign some other leading man for Kites. He said, "It wasn't meant as a joke. There was lots of action in Kites and we were starting with an elaborate stunt scene. However, Dad and my director Anurag Basu decided to wait for my knee to heal. And when I woke up on the first day of shooting, surprisingly there was no pain! After two years of doing everything possible, I was finally almost painless. Soon my knee was as good as new."

Now with the knees perfectly in place again, Hrithik is ready to shoot for one of the most elaborate dance numbers for the film. Hrithik elaborated on his role in Kites, "I play a dance instructor in Kites. I do all kinds of dancing and we are recording the song. I'll be working with Flexy, a choreographer from New York who has done some of my ads. Flexy is an unbelievably tough choreographer and he really pushes the dancer. It is a challenge to return to dance with my mended knees."

Barbara will shoot Kites in January
November 9, 2008
According to reports, shooting of Kites in Mumbai will start in December but Barbara Mori will shoot her parts in January.

"The next schedule starts in December in India," said Hrithik's spokesman, "but Barbara will be here in January." "She should feel comfortable in January because it's much cooler then," he said. He said Barbara had already been here once on a flying visit, "Hrithik invited her over to his place for his Diwali bash and she had come over for a short trip." Next time, he said, she would bring her little boy along as well.

Barbara is not the only heroine in the movie, which also stars Kangana Ranaut, fresh from the success of Fashion. "Some important scenes with her are pending and Kangana's schedule will probably end in December," a source on the sets said.

Video Download: New Cinthol ad
November 3, 2008
Cinthol has a new commercial with Hrithik, download here.

Hrithik's vacation
November 3, 2008
Hrithik talks about his vacation in Bora Bora.

"I celebrated Diwali at Farhan Akhtar's house. For the first time, I played cards and lost too!" laughs Hrithik. Doesn't wife, Sussanne Roshan, grumble about his hectic work schedule? "She travels with me most of the time," the actor says. But, he knows that it still amounts to work, so, he planned a holiday for the two on the beautiful island of Bora Bora! "We were away from the whole world. It was fantastic! We did some crazy, wild things, which, of course, I can't share with you," Hrithik Roshan smiled. Cute and petite Sussanne is actually the adventurous type, informs the hubby, so there were a lot of adventure sports they indulged in while on vacay!

Rock On concert report
November 2, 2008
TOI has a report on the the Rock On For Humanity concert, Hrithik did a surprise performance when he joined the Rock On team on stage to belt out Meri Laundry Ka Ek Bill from their film. Some photos at Hrithik Rules. NDTV has a video report here will try and grab and make it available for download later. Update: djaks07 has uploaded his own video clip here.

Kangana talks Kites
November 2, 2008
In a recent interview, Kangana Ranaut talked about the plot Kites. Cast and crew are now in Mumbai to shoot the rest the film and to make Barbara Mori as comfortable as possible, Hrithik has presented his co-star with a lavish vanity van.

"Hrithik plays this salsa teacher. I play this very rich girl. I live in Las Vegas and learn salsa from Hrithik," says Kangana."I go to him to learn salsa and in the course of it I fall madly in love with him. And then something happens which is where the thriller part comes in," she adds not wanting to reveal more.

We spoke to sources about the film who say that Hollywood actress Barbara Mori plays a Spanish speaking girl and will be seen in the first half of the film. "She will only speak in Spanish and Hrithik who plays the salsa teacher can't speak a word of Spanish. So he speaks to her in Hindi and yet the two communicate and fall madly in love," says the source, "But then something happens that forces the two to split and that's where Kangana steps in."

"There are a lot of languages spoken in this film. English, Hindi, Spanish, Philippines… so it only made commercial sense to use subtitles so that people all over the world and all over India came to the cinemas," says the source. Speaking about Kites, producer Rakesh Roshan says, "It's a love story thriller. Kites when they fly in the air they are the most romantic… they embrace one another… they kiss one another but if one of the kite gets cut then what happens?"

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