In a new installment of This Day That Year, Subhash K Jha throws it back to 2002 and Hrithik Roshan’s Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage . Hrithik had spoken to Subhash K. Jha soon after Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage flopped miserably. In spite of a series of recent debacles, he was upbeat and defiant. Far from being daunted, he was more determined to give all of himself to his forthcoming films.
Hrithik, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage has flopped miserably?
Well, a true hero is one who has the capacity to rise after he falls. That is how I have always wanted to be. Life is wonderful. It always teaches you new things. I object to my professionalism being questioned.
What do you mean?
They said I cancelled the shooting of Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage because my wife [Suzanne Khan] had a headache and that I manipulated my concerts to get a particular actress (Kareena Kapoor) into the troupe because I was interested in her. They said I delayed Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage because this actress did not like Amisha Patel and that Suzanne was pressurised into marrying me after she found out about my supposed affair. They even claim an eyewitness had seen me change in an actress’ van.
You mean, Kareena?
That eyewitness has now conveniently gone back to his village. Either people who write such things think I am stupid or think they are too smart. I even offered to pay to bring the supposed eyewitness back. There was no response.
You could sue for defamation?
I have no time to deal with such slander. I can imagine why Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan allowed these gossip magazines to get away with their lies — they just didn’t have the time or support system to deal with such a situation.
Your feelings on your second film’s underwhelming performance?
People ask me whether I am upset about Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage flopping. This will shock you, but I feel good about it. Initially, I was disappointed. But it made me realise a lot of things. I used to think that if a film sinks, everyone connected with it sinks too. In spite of Aap Mujhe… not being appreciated, I have been liked in the film. All the papers and television programmes praised me. Karan Johar told me Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage made him realise I am a star. He said the only people who are praised in bad films are superstars like Amitabh Bachchan. That jolted me out of my anxiety.
So the praise pours in despite the failure?
Sooraj Barjatya had not complimented me so much for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, where he found me nice but not good enough. It takes a lot for an actor to be recognised beyond an unacceptable product. For the audience to still have faith in me is quite amazing. Every major star has had a string of flops. That happens in every career.
You seem pretty sorted in spite of the debacle?
What is the fun of running without faltering? When you stumble, you enjoy the run more. I have always tried to be fair to everyone — I rationed dates to Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage and Na Tum Jaano Na Hum equally. I didn’t foresee that both films would be released at the same time. That was stupid.
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage is not well scripted?
Actually Aap Mujhe… started right after the release of Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai without a bound script. At the time, I was in no position to demand anything. But I trusted Vikram Bhatt. I enjoyed listening to him narrate the subject. The film went through many changes thereafter. I enjoyed working in the film. It isn’t a bad film. The story was old and cliched. But then, so was Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. I hoped Aap Mujhe… would rise above its plot in its treatment. That didn’t happen. But its look went against it. Everything about the film looked downmarket. There were no colours or striking locations. The look was very 1980s.
You mean it could have worked in the past?
Aap Mujhe… would have been a big hit in the 1980s. Vikram Bhatt’s film [Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage] was a family matter [its producer Mohan Kumar was Hrithik’s relative]. With Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage , I felt like I was fighting a one-man battle. Somewhere, all of us failed. It is as much my failure as the producer’s or director’s. Sometimes it is best to leave yourself in the director’s hand. Other times it could be lethal.
What was your takeaway from the experience?
A positive outcome of Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage , I s that it made me realise I am a star. I didn’t realise I was so huge. I always thought I was just a small part of a film. I was proved wrong.I worked as hard in Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage as in Kaho Naa…Pyar Hai. I did my best. But it wasn’t enough.
