Indian Cinema Series
The 2000s saw a flurry of activity in Bollywood. Increased global interest led to more international releases which, combined with what was seen as an overall boost in film quality and innovation and surge in urban theatre complexes, gave birth to a new generation of popular film stars. One of these is Hrithik Roshan. Roshan, a sex symbol in native India, is No.5 on our Top Indian Actors countdown.
The 35-year-old star began his career as a child actor in the 1980s. Born in Mumbai into a movie family, this was not at all unusual. In fact, in 2000, Roshan’s father, Rakesh Roshan, directed him in his first starring role as an adult (Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai). It worked out well, with Roshan winning the Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut for the role in this commercially successful movie. Contrary to his masculine image and status as one of Bollywood’s leading actors, Roshan has had his share of past insecurities and hardships, which he has spoken to the media about on several occasions. In one interview he revealed that having an extra thumb on one hand had been a source of great emotional pain. ‘Life was tough for me. When I was a kid, nobody played with me because they thought I looked ugly with my extra thumb. It pained me,’ he reportedly said. Although at the time he considered having it surgically removed, he chose not to in the end.
Roshan also made news earlier in his career when an assassination attempt was made on his father and there was a violent uprising against Roshan himself in Nepal in 2000 after he was likely set up by the mafia. These events had Roshan seriously considering quitting the business altogether. However, the award-winning actor continued with his career and recently achieved international recognition by winning the 2008 Best Actor Award at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival in Russia, for his performance in Jodhaa Akbar.