On the occasion of Hrithik Roshan's 51st birthday, the film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (KNPH) is being re-released in theaters, 25 years after its original debut. This event signifies a pivotal moment for the entire Roshan family, encompassing Rakesh Roshan, the film's director, and Rajesh Roshan, the music composer.

Rakesh Roshan reflects on approving Hrithik Roshan's debut

In a recent interview, Rakesh discussed his decision to approve Hrithik's debut in 2000. The filmmaker and actor expressed that he initially felt he had made a significant error by entering the film industry at the young age of 21. Consequently, he believed that 24 to 25 years old would be the ideal age for Hrithik to commence his career. Rakesh emphasized that his approval was based on Hrithik's acting abilities rather than their familial relationship. He observed Hrithik's development as an actor through performances in Bhagwan Dada and other roles during his childhood. Despite receiving warnings that the two characters in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai were not brothers, which caused him some apprehension, Rakesh maintained that it is his responsibility as a director to engage the audience, even when his films often feature implausible characters and narratives.

Bollywood luminaries such as Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan had films set to premiere simultaneously with Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. When questioned about whether this influenced his decision, Rakesh stated that he had determined January 14 as the release date well in advance. He believed that the concern would linger with him indefinitely, leading him to disregard the advice of others and maintain the original date. Additionally, this could imply a potential lack of confidence in his film. He might reconsider competing with renowned filmmakers like Yash Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya, and Subhash Ghai if they were releasing films concurrently. Although Rakesh was not facing any prominent directors, he was contending with films featuring major stars. Nevertheless, he proceeded with his plans, driven by his confidence in the project and the strong assurance exhibited by the film's lead actors, Hrithik and Ameesha Patel.

Hrithik Roshan's enduring stardom and dedication to his craft

In response to inquiries regarding the enduring brilliance of Hrithik's stardom, despite the various challenges he has faced, Rakesh attributed it to his honesty and integrity. He firmly believes that taking shortcuts is not an option. Even when he acknowledges that a shot is satisfactory during their collaborative filming, he insists on executing another take, vowing to improve upon his performance. This dedication to excellence is what distinguishes him as a remarkable actor, as he invests his full effort into every scene.

When "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" was re-released in theatres in 2000, Rakesh was questioned about his emotional state at that time. He candidly admitted to feeling extremely anxious before the film's debut. The filmmaker and actor invited friends to the editing suite to preview the film, apprehensive that a poor reception could jeopardize his future opportunities. Fortunately, prior to the film's release, prominent directors such as Subhash Ghai, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya, and Karan Johar expressed interest in signing Hrithik. As the film approaches another re-release, Rakesh finds himself feeling nervous once more. This moment is particularly poignant for both him and Hrithik. He believes that even if the film achieves just 1% of its previous success, it would still be a noteworthy accomplishment.

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai is also available to stream on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium).

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