Hrithik mania grips Kochi

It is afternoon. The central open area at the Lulu Mall and all stairs are crowded. Everyone is excited. Only one name reverberates in the air — Hrithik Roshan. Nobody is tired. All they need is to get a glimpse of their favourite actor. “Hold your breath,” says the host of the show and it looks like everyone literally holds their breath for a second. But then, there is no sign of him coming and the host throws a few questions to the crowd about the actor and his films to which they passionately reply. Some come out to sing songs from his movies.

A loud cheer erupts from the rear side of the stage and all eyes turn to the lift. There comes the actor wearing a suit and goggles. ‘Hrithik! Hrithik!,’ the crowd shouts in joy. And, Hrithik is amazed by his huge fan base in Kerala. “Eniku ningale ishtam aanu,” he begins the talk, waves at his fans and throws them kisses. He was in Kochi to launch a new  luxury  watch series.  “So much love for you. This is unbelievable. Thank you so much, Kerala,” he doesn’t hide his surprise.

And he assures that he would be back. “I am gonna come back and spend one whole week here. I have heard about Ayurveda and want to experience that,” he says and surprises his fans saying that he would come here for shooting also. “When Krrish 4 happens, I will come to Kochi for shooting,” he smiles. As he is about to leave the stage, crowd asks him to dance. ‘Who wants to dance with me?’ he asks. A girl and a boy come on the stage and without any hesitation, he dances with them to the beats of the title track from his movie Bang Bang. At the end, he lifts up the girl. He wins all hearts. As we settle for a quick chat later, he talks about the new watch he has just received. “It is so light that I feel like flying like Krissh,” he chuckles. “I think I have 10- 20 watches and all of them are free as I am the brand ambassador. I am very lucky to represent the brand I like,” he adds.

Quizzed about his favourite superhero,  comes the reply, “My superhero is Rajini sir,” he says. Although he has not acted in Malayalam movies, he enjoys watching them. “I have seen many films of Mohanlal sir and Mammootty sir though I cannot pronounce the names of the films,” he laughs. “I still remember clapping while watching them in theatres,” he adds. Would you like to come  to Kerala and act with them? “It would be an honour to act with them. I love to do that. But, I have not yet got a chance to do that,” says Hrithik who plays a visually-challenged person Rohan Bhatnagar in his latest release Kaabil.

Was it really difficult to act as a blind person? “It was difficult but at the same time there was so much passion in doing that,” he says, adding, “I was really inspired by the script and I am happy with the success of the film. It was a small film and has got so much love that it has become big now. I am very happy for the team and all the love people have given for Rohan and Supriya, two simple and vulnerable persons with so much courage in their hearts. The way Rohan loves Supriya and vice-versa is the truest form of love. Like in every relationship, theirs too go through dark phases. But, they love each other despite everything. I hope everyone in the world would get their ‘Rohan’ and ‘Supriya’ and they would love them in spite of all shortcomings, chaos and confusions. Love will last. It will bring you joy in the end. Keep building that,” he signs off.