Hrithik: Hung, drawn and dancing in the rain

Bharati Dubey

January 10 marks Hrithik Roshan's birthday. The actor, when contacted by this writer, was content to spend his time at home with his family. In fact, Hrithik and his father Rakesh Roshan are now involved in intense discussions on Koi Mil Gaya, in which Hrithik stars opposite Preity Zinta.

This writer went on the sets of the film that is at the forefront of the Roshans' minds. An account of what she saw.

Hrithik Roshan is suspended in the air.

He is singing a duet with Preity Zinta. We are on the sets of father Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mil Gaya. The venue: A small town called Kasauli. The time is 2130 hours.

Wearing suspenders on high-waist trousers, the bespectacled Hrithik exudes an air of vulnerability. His mother, Pinky Roshan comments, indulgently, "It is as if Duggu [Hrithik] has just walked out of Bombay Scottish School."

But the cable wire, which has Hrithik midair, is not behaving itself. Every time he does a little twostep, the wire turns his body away from the camera, forcing him into another take. "Thoda tight karo cable wire ko, [tighten the cable wire]" Hrithik instructs a technician.

The entire Roshan khandaan [clan] is present on the sets, but Hrithik prefers to sit at a far corner. "I don't talk to people when I'm shooting -- I need to concentrate on my expressions," he explains.

Meanwhile, Farah Khan, Hrithik's favourite choreographer, takes charge. Papa Roshan offers his instructions on dance steps, too. Clad in a bright saffron coloured shirt, Rakesh Roshan claims, "I have to look young and dashing. After all, I am Hrithik Roshan's father!"

He talks about Koi Mil Gaya: "It is about an innocent boy. Let me also say here that it is not like ET or Forest Gump, as the media claims. I intend to shoot most of the film in Mumbai. There will be two schedules in New Zealand and Bali."

For Hrithik, it has been a while since he shot for two shifts: "I am doing it for Koi Mil Gaya because the sets will be dismantled soon."

The cable finally cooperates. Farah okays the shot.

Soaked to the skin [it is raining on the sets], Hrithik rushes to the monitor to watch himself onscreen. It is quite interesting to see him reacting to his expressions and actions. He seems pleased with the shot. But cinematographer Ravi Chandran [of Dil Chahta Hai fame] asks for another shot.

So off he gets tied by the cable wire again. The whole process is repeated.

Only, this time, Preity does not have to be present in the shot. It is a long wait. We watch the events unfold again. It isn't every day that you get to see Hrithik Roshan perform.

Wish Hrithik on his birthday!

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It's Hrithik and Preity again!