By Sameer Wadekar, Bollywood Trade News Network

Before the release of Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai, Hrithik was perceived as just another star kid amongst many others who are there just to take a jab at stardom. But KAHO NAA… hit the theaters and boy, what a fantastic launch pad it proved for Hrithik! The overnight success and adulation it bestowed upon him could make any damn wannabe, envious to death! Hrithik’s fabulous dancing skills and his competency as a fine actor was sufficient to pull him up onto the pedestal. The film’s soundtrack by Rajesh Roshan played a major part in enhancing the movie’s box-office triumph, but Hrithik’s stunning presence was equally responsible for the conquest. Hrithik’s coming was refreshing and needless to say that his female fans had already gone hysterical while all the other buffs chanting his name in ecstasy. This blue-eyed boy of ace filmmaker Rakesh Roshan made an exhilarating entry in tinsel town.

Though Hrithik’s debut was grand, his follow-up flicks were not that sensational; with only MISSION KASHMIR being the pick of the lot. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s take on Kashmir issue was well-received but then on it was kind of a tumble for the heartthrob as his much awaited movies like FIZA and YAADEIN just fizzled away while the other anticipations like NAA TUM JANO NAA HUM, MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGE and MAIN PREM KI DIWANI HOON sank without a trace. Karan Johar’s KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM was a runaway hit but the film was stuffed with other heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol and SRK leaving very little scope for Hrithik to excel. There came a time when critics and the audience started interpreting that Hrithik was just a one-film wonder and his days of glory have come to an end. With such squabbles brewing and times beginning to go increasingly hostile for the soft-spoken actor, the sci-fi fantasy KOI MIL GAYA came in as a much needed respite and resurrected his star-status in the industry. KMG was again directed by his dad Rakesh Roshan and proved to be an instant hit at the box-office. The theme of mentally challenged boy Rohit who was imparted with super-powers by an alien, worked just fine and the movie clicked with both the young and the old alike. KMG tested Hrithik’s acting potential to the core and Hrithik not only did extremely well but also was simply outstanding.

Hrithik again donned a different character in LAKSHYA (directed by Farhan Akhtar) and though the war movie drew a sturdy initial response, it didn’t quite live up to its pre-release hype. But his fans were delighted with his hypnotic dance frolics on the song ‘Main Aisa Kyon Hoon’ that was choreographed by none other than Prabhudeva (he won the National Award for best choreography). Hrithik off late is concentrating on more and more challenging roles and has become essentially choosy about offers coming his way. And that’s bound to happen with a creative artist especially when he is maturing as an actor as he wants to smoothen his growth and his fluency as a performer. This attitude by Hrithik will only make him upbeat to deliver flawless feats and allow him the required space to augment his acting talents. Hrithik is currently doing sequel for KOI MIL GAYA titled KRRISH (for which he survived a near fatal accident while doing the stunts) and will soon commence another part 2 for DHOOM (this time he’s in a negative role). Sure Hrithik’s fans are in for a double treat! His admirers are thirsting for a long time to see their beloved star back in form and the sequels of the two major blockbusters of recent times might just do the trick; but there’s still sometime to go!

Hrithik celebrates his 32nd birthday on 10th January. We wish this mesmerizing entertainer a hearty Happy Birthday and wish that the New Year give loads of success and goodwill in store for him. We would love to see this charismatic actor enthrall the audience with his unending magnetism and glittering charm, in the years to come!