Early career, until 1999
Roshan's first movie role was as a child artist when he was six years old in the 1980s movie
Aasha, where he appeared in a dance sequence as an extra. Roshan went on to play minor roles in
Aap Ke Deewane (1980) and
Bhagwan Dada (1986) both of which starred his father
Rakesh Roshan in the leading role. He then became an assistant director assisting in the production of his father's films
Karan Arjun (1995) and
Koyla (1997).
[edit] Breakthrough, 2000–2002
In 2000, Roshan made his film debut as the leading man in the film
Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai opposite another debutante actress
Amisha Patel. The film, which was directed by his father and saw him playing a double role, proved to be very successful at the box office and was declared a blockbuster,
[6] it also became the highest grossing film of 2000
[7] and winner of the
Filmfare Best Movie Award. Roshan's performance was well-received, and the film made him an overnight star.
[8][9][10] He eventually received both the
Filmfare Best Male Debut Award and the
Filmfare Best Actor Award for the role. The film entered the
Limca Book of Records in 2003 for the most number of awards won by a Bollywood film – 102 awards.
[11]
Later that year, Roshan starred in
Khalid Mohammed's
Fiza. Although the film did poorly at the box office, his performance was praised, earning him another nomination for
Best Actor at the
Filmfare ceremony.
Taran Adarsh from
indiaFM noted, "The mainstay of the film is undoubtedly Hrithik Roshan. His body language, his diction, his expressions, his overall persona deserves great praise. With this film, Hrithik proves that there is more to him than just being a fashionable rage, a Mills & Boon lover-boy and a sex symbol. His talent comes to the fore in several scenes, especially those with Karisma. All said and done, the show belongs to Hrithik, who saves
Fiza to a major extent. A brilliant performance undoubtedly!"
[12]
Roshan's last release of the year,
Mission Kashmir, became the third highest grossing film of the year.
[7] His performance was once again acclaimed with one critic praising him, "Hrithik once again cuts a splendid performance as a youngster sucked in the vortex of terrorism. He is portrayed as anti-government in the early part of the film-- a bold role to play for even a seasoned actor, leave alone a budding superstar." All these achievements promoted him as one of the biggest stars in the industry.
[13]
Subhash Ghai's
Yaadein was his first release in 2001. This was followed by
Karan Johar's melodramatic
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which did extremely well at the box office, becoming the second-highest grossing film of 2001 and the biggest hit overseas.
[14][15] Roshan's performance was well received and his performance earned him a nomination for
Best Supporting Actor at various award ceremonies.
Roshan had an unsuccessful year in 2002 when all three of his releases –
Mujhse Dosti Karoge!,
Na Tum Jaano Na Hum and
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage – failed to make an impact the box office and were declared flops.
[16]
[edit] Success, 2003–present
In 2003, he made a comeback with the
science-fiction film
Koi... Mil Gaya, which saw him playing a mentally disabled young man.
[10] The film was the highest grosser of the year and won him many awards, including his second
Filmfare Award for Best Actor and his first
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.
[17] Taran Adarsh noted, "Hrithik Roshan dominates the show and packs in a power-packed performance. The role of a mentally challenged person is no cakewalk, but the actor takes to it like a fish takes to water. He manages to pull off the zero to hero routine exceptionally well. As an actor, he scales dizzier heights with this splendid performance."
[18] His performance was later included in the 2010 issue of the "Top 80 Iconic Performances" by Filmfare.
[19]
Farhan Akhtar's
Lakshya was Roshan's only release in 2004; the film was critically acclaimed but did not do well at the box office.
[20] His performance was praised by critics.
[21] and again, was included in the 2010 issue of the "Top 80 Iconic Performances" by Filmfare.
[22]
"Sometimes you can actually tell how an actor has come of age in a movie that deals with coming of age and growing up pangs. Hrithik Roshan´s evolution is marked by a certain self discovery that spreads through the film as it goes on. It´s cinematic translucence at its best. And the perfectionist in Hrithik makes sure that the change is marked not just through the plot but also through his hairstyle, his body language, the look in his eyes… So much so that you grow up along with him, feel his pain and become part of his story. Right to the end."
Roshan took a two-year break from acting before resurfacing with the
superhero film Krrish opposite
Priyanka Chopra. A sequel to his 2003 film
Koi... Mil Gaya, the film was a major box office success and became the second highest grosser of 2006.
[23] His performance as a superhero was praised, earning him many
Best Actor awards at various award ceremonies, including
Star Screen and the
International Indian Film Academy.
[3] IndiaFM wrote, "To state that Hrithik is the soul of
Krrish would be an understatement. If the actor walked away with all noteworthy awards in
Koi... Mil Gaya, it's going to be an encore with
Krrish. You cannot imagine any other actor enacting the role of a gifted child with aplomb. If his mask and robe look is splendid, watch his makeup, gait and mannerisms as the aged father and you had agree, he's one of the finest talents on the Indian screen today.
Krrish is yet another ground-breaking film in his dazzling repertoire!"
[24]
His next film that year was
Dhoom 2, a sequel to the 2004
Dhoom. Featured opposite
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Roshan's performance in the movie not only earned him widespread critical acclaim,
[3][25] but also his third
Filmfare Best Actor Award. The film went on to become the highest grossing film of 2006, as well as one of the most successful films of Bollywood.
[23][26]
In 2008, Roshan featured in
Ashutosh Gowariker's
Jodhaa Akbar opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He played the historical role of
Akbar the Great. The movie did very good business, both in India and abroad.
[15][27] His performance in the movie was widely appreciated by critics,
[3] earning him his fourth
Filmfare Best Actor Award as well as his first international award for Best Actor at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival in
Kazan,
Russia.
[4]
Roshan then appeared in
Zoya Akhtar's
Luck by Chance (2009), in which he made a guest appearance. The following year, he was seen in Anurag Basu's
Kites along with Mexican actress
Bárbara Mori and
Kangna Ranaut. The film failed to do well at the box office after taking a huge start and was eventually declared a flop. He next acted in
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's
Guzaarish opposite Aishwarya Rai. Upon release, the film received overwhelmingly positive reviews and Roshan's portrayal of Ethan Mascarenhas, a
quadriplegic patient earned him several
Best Actor nominations at various award ceremonies.
In July 2011, he appeared in Zoya Akhtar's
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara alongside
Abhay Deol,
Farhan Akhtar,
Katrina Kaif,
Kalki Koechlin. The film opened to positive reviews, and Roshan's portrayal was praised. According to
Rajeev Masand, "Hrithik Roshan once again brings real depth to his character with a spectacular performance. He’s shy and restrained, then lets go with such fantastic intensity that you make the inward journey with his character".
[28] The film was declared as "super-hit" in both in India and Overseas.
[29] In the same year Roshan featured as a judge for the dance competition reality show,
Just Dance along with
Farah Khan and
Vaibhavi Merchant.
[30][31] The show got the highest opening (a cumulative TRP of 4.7) for a reality show that year for which he was voted as the best TV host by a poll conducted by Ormax Media.
[32] In 2012, he then appeared in
Agneepath in which he reprise the role of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan opposite Priyanka Chopra. The film has taken a historic opening and has broken all opening-day records.
[33]
Besides acting, Roshan made his debut as a singer in
Kites, and has also sung in the films
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and
Guzaarish.
[34]
[edit] Personal life
