The many shades of Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan entered the Hindi movie industry as a leading actor at the turn of the 21st century. He featured as a child actor in the 1980s in a couple of his father Rakesh Roshan's films. Often regarded as the last of the superstars, Hrithik has entertained the audience with his performance onscreen. While the actor is known for his Greek God-like looks and smooth dance skills, what often goes unnoticed is his choice of characters on screen. The actor does not do multiple films a year, but has always been experimenting with his characters on screen. Not the one to have been stereotyped on screen in his two-decade-long career, Hrithik has played some very distinct characters.

For his first film, 'Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai', Hrithik essayed two totally different character who had very different energies and cultural background. He essayed the role of an orphan Rohit, who is an aspiring singer and had a day job as a salesman to make ends meet. In the second half of the film, he plays Raj Chopra, son of a NRI billionaire. The actor won awards and hearts with his performance in the romantic musical drama directed by Rakesh Roshan.

In his 20-year-long career, the actor has worked in over 25 films and has played a varied set of characters. Ahead of Hrithik Roshan's 50th birthday, we look back at some of his characters that left a mark on the audience and saw him transform himself for his character.

Rohit Mehra from Koi...Mil Gaya (2003)

The making of what can probably be called Hindi cinema's first superhero began from this film. The actor made slipping into the role of a boy with mental health issues look easy with his portrayal of Rohit. The son of a scientist, Rohit accidentally communicates with beings from a different planet and warrant their visit on earth, in his small town in Shimla. He soon befriends the alien who was left behind. The alien's magical powers help Hrithik overcome his mental health issues and what follows is his fight for humanity. Without doubt, the film will always be remembered for showcasing his acting prowess early on in his career. The sequel to the film- 'Krrish 2' and 3 saw Hrithik essay the superhero Krrish who had become an instant hit in India, especially among kids. And who can ever forget the memes around Hrithik's dialogue of 'Maa mujhe sab dikhayi de raha hai' which has made its way in the meme world .

Aryan Singh from 'Dhoom 2' (2006)

Hrithik was definitely at his stylish best in the second film of the 'Dhoom' franchise were he essayed the quick-witted thief Aryan Singh. From disguising as the queen to an old security guard to a statue, Hrithik had us impressed with his performance and varied looks in the film. The film also showcased the best of his dance abilities with his performance in 'Dhoom Once Again' and 'Dil Laga Na'. When the actor was announced as the new villain of 'Dhoom 2', a role which was done by John Abraham in the first installment of the hit franchise, eyebrows were raised. However, the actor proved naysayers wrong with his effortless performance.

Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

This was Hrithik's first period drama. This is a role that not many might have envisioned the actor in considering his six pack abs, smooth dance moves that would have easily stereotyped him into urban characters. But the actor brought out the charisma and aura that Emperor Akbar is known for in the film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film that focused on the story between Akbar and Jodhaa was well received by the audience and the music by A.R. Rahman only eleveated the films nd the performances .

Arjun Saluja in Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobaraa (2011)

'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaraa' is a film with a tremendous re-watch value, and for various reasons. Its cast being one of them. Hrithik played the character of Arjun Saluja who is known to invest all his energy in his job in order to earn the big bucks which will give him the life he desires. His character goes through an evolution when he unwillingly heads to a Spain trip with two of his bachelor trip. The actor portraying the role of a man who sets himself free learns to let go his past and embrace the present is a delightful journey to watch on the screen. And well, who can forget the dialogue 'It's not funny', mouthed by the actor and made immortal by the meme-world.

Karan Shergill in Lakshya (2004)

A coming of age film where Hrithik plays the role of an aimless young man who is concerned about doing things that only sound cool to brag about in front of his friends. His character evolves as he joins the Indian army that gives direction to his aimless life. His performance in the memorable 'Main Aisa Kyun Hoon' became sort of an anthem for the youth back in the day. Despite a talented cast including Om Puri, Boman Irani, Preity Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan, Roshan shone with his performance and was praised for the same.

Anand Kumar in Super 30 (2019)
Who would have ever imagined Hrithik adapting the local Bihari dialect for this film based on the life of real-life mathematician Anand Kumar who gave free coaching to underprivileged kids for IIT entrance exam. For the film, the actor practised the Bihari accent and dialect for every day for about 2-3 hour. The movie also required the actor to de-glam and lose weight to look the character.

The above are just five of the many distinct characters essayed by the superstar. Other notable performances of the actor include playing a former magician who is paralysed and appealed for euthanisia in 'Guzaarish', a blind man in the thriller that was 'Kaabil', to being a ripped-up RAW agent with a sense of humour in the spy-thriller 'War'. From action to romance to comedy to over-the-top drama (Read: Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon), the actor has experimented with them all on screen.

The actor will next be seen in the film 'Fighter' which is being termed as the first aerial action film. The first schedule of the film was shot in Assam and is being directed by Siddharth Anand of 'War' fame. The film also pairs Hrithik with Deepika Padukone for the first time.

We wish Hrithik Roshan a very Happy Birthday!