OVER THE YEARS: Hrithik Roshan (original) (raw)

From an author-backed debut in his father Rakesh Roshan’s film, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai in 2000 to pat-worthy performances in Mission Kashmir, Koi... Mil Gaya, Lakshya, Jodhaa Akbar, Guzaarish, and recently Agneepath — irrespective of their fates at the box office — actor Hrithik Roshan has stopped at nothing to escalate in terms of popularity and fame.

Standing invincible at 38, he still remains one of the biggest heartthrobs the country has even seen. “Hrithik has proved that he’s more than just a star son. He is extremely talented and his Greek God looks have only added to his persona,” says film historian SMM Ausaja.

However, there came a time when critics wrote him off saying he can only perform in his father’s films and was only a dancer, not an actor, but Hrithik proved them wrong. The father of two has gone on to become a global brand with a fee of about R20 cr per film excluding endorsements. “Hrithik fan following among the youth is phenomenal. It is this appeal that got him endorsements,” says Ausaja.

Family Comes First

Hrithik is known as a devoted family man, who has always been by the side of his wife Sussanne and sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Only months after the super success of his first film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Hrithik married his childhood sweetheart Sussanne — daughter of actor Sanjay Khan — on December 20, 2000.

Though early in his career, he was linked with actor Kareena Kapoor. It all reportedly started with Subhash Ghai’s Yaadein, which brought the two together for the first time. Later, they were seen in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hu, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Then, in 2009, Hrithik was linked to his Kites co-star Barbara Mori. Reportedly, this caused havoc in his married life and Sussanne even walked out of the home. But later, everything worked out and the couple are happily living together .

HR’s Quote Diary
Some day, I want to be better than Shah Rukh Khan. And I’ll be better if I continue working the way I am. I’d like to achieve more than what SRK has in ten years. But first, give me 10 years. (Dec 2000)

Stammering made my childhood hell. For oral tests at school, I used to bunk. I used to fall sick, break my hand, or get a sprain (Sep 2009)

Every day is a day of love for us. Sussanne and I work at everything together (Feb 2011)

Flickside Story

Koi Mil Gaya
Hrithik’s portrayal of a mentally disabled young man in this 2003 release was a turning point in his career

Dhoom 2
His kissing scene with Aishwarya Rai and his suave look in the film, made it one of the most memorable roles of Hrithik

Krrish
His role of a superhero in this 2006 release was widely appreciated. The film’s sequel is in the making

Agneepath
He reprised the iconic role of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan with much elan and conviction

Ad-ing To It

Beverage giant Coca Cola India found that the recall of its TV ad jumped from 20% to 31% after Hrithik

came on-board. And, the recall among the brand’s target consumers — the youth became a whopping 40%.

Home Trade, a financial services portal, was surprised to see that the number of hits on its website shot up by 700,000 a day after the launch of its ad with Hrithik.

Textiles brand, S Kumar’s, which roped in Hrithik for its menswear brand, Tamarind, said that it has to spend 40-50% less on its advertising due to Hrithik’s instant and bigger connect with the consumers.

Despite his mass popularity and appeal, Hrithik still endorses only minimal brands — "only those that I believe in," he had once told us.

Some of the brands that he endorses are J Hampstead, Rado Switzerland, Provogue, Liberty, Hide & Seek, Macro Man, Iball, Cinthol and Hero Honda, to name a few.

According to trade expert Komal Nahta, Hrithik charges approximately Rs.1.25-1.5 crore for endorsements. His endorsements, on the other hand, are reportedly in the range of over Rs.35cr a year.Fact File

Born on: January 10, 1974 in Mumbai

First Film: Kaho Naa..Pyaar Hai (2000)

Family

Father: Rakesh Roshan;

Mother: Pinky Roshan

Wife: Sussanne

Sons: Hrehaan (born 2006), Hridhaan (born 2008)

Elder sister: Sunaina

Twitter Following

Hrithik started tweeting on February 11, 2010. His twitter handle @iHrithik has over 23 lakh followers at present.