Bharathi S. Pradhan
Friday the 13th was, as per superstition, ominous for Hrithik Roshan as he signed his official statement accepting that Sussanne and he had decided to part ways after a 17-year friendship.
The statement ran true to Roshan form because there has always been a marked straightforwardness in the family — parents Rakesh and Pinkie are known to opt for honesty about the many storms they have weathered together. Whether it was daughter Sunaina's medical reports (tubercular meningitis, cancer), her marital status (two marriages that went wrong), her daughter Suranika Soni's choice to stay with her father, or Hrithik's health scares (knee trouble, brain surgery), they have maintained a pattern of outspokenness. They may have taken refuge in dignified discretion, which is their right, but they have, as a family, never resorted to outright deceit.
So Hrithik's upfront statement was entirely in keeping with the Roshan penchant for plain speak. However, going off on his own to London and then to Los Angeles helped him sort out the messy questions buzzing in his head. In fact, doctors believe that his personal turmoil had much to do with his lingering headaches and reaching a decision was the right step to take to heal, apart from the required medication. And with his personal trainer by his side, Hrithik's body beautiful will also get adequate attention.
Hrithik's statement, a first for a leading Hindi film star, was crisp and emotionally worded like it is in the West, almost like an agent out there had helped him write it.
Before he went to London, Hrithik drove off one morning at 8am to a theme park on the outskirts of Mumbai — going against cautionary warning that it was a public place — to spend the day with his two sons (and their cousins). While Sussanne may have moved out, his kids continue to visit and stay over in the Roshan house.
Being a professional, Hrithik met with the producers of Bang Bang, the film that has been on hold because of his brain surgery, and frankly discussed his schedule with them. His solo vacation was much needed as the chilling out in London and LA undoubtedly helped him clear his head about a lot of issues. The statement was a product of this clear thinking, a step out of the mental muddle. It has also cleared the air for him when he returns to Mumbai in the next few days, and he would no longer need to side step dodgy references to his marital status. Nor will he have to play hide and seek with the truth.
But he has requested respect for his privacy and his candour has earned it for him. Never mind the inevitable spate of speculative articles on why the dream marriage came to a halt. The Roshans are seasoned enough to face it.
Meanwhile, Rakesh and Pinkie Roshan, who have had a tumultuous year, have also earned themselves a treat. After 43 years of marriage they intend to take a holiday together and return only after ringing in the New Year. Rakesh loves casinos, Pinkie loves the snow. They're going to get both by putting Las Vegas, New York and London on their itinerary.
After they return, hopefully Hrithik's 40th birthday on January 10, 2014, will be peaceful, with enough reasons for a hearty celebration.
By this time next week, the rarely-seen Aamir Khan and his Dhoom 3 would have hit the cinema halls. How does the picky Mr Khan choose his assignments? Here's what he said to me: after the initial round of script reading, his final nod comes when he gets the director to narrate the full script to him. The manner in which the director unfolds his film, his excitement levels and his narrative powers help Aamir make up his mind. That's how whether it's a new name like Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai) or a tested but unsuccessful one like Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan), any director with a good script and narrative skills has been able to get Aamir on board. The actor does not let the director's history befuddle his judgment — he agreed to do Dhoom 3 with an unknown name like Vijay Krishna Acharya ('Victor' to those who know him), despite the man having helmed a huge failure like Tashan.
'I decided to do Dhoom 3 after Victor gave me a complete narration,' Aamir explained to me. He astutely gave credit to the director and didn't mention the real force before the Dhoom franchise, Aditya Chopra. After all, does the lay person even remember who directed the first two editions of Dhoom?
Bharathi S. Pradhan is a senior journalist and author