One doesn’t really realise just how green those eyes are till one comes face-to-face with Hrithik Roshan. He looks at you with this piercing green gaze as he answers your question in all seriousness. You are slightly hypnotised, your heart has already skipped a few beats… and then he breaks into a smile. The heart is now threatening to melt into a puddle inside the chest cavity. Did we just make him laugh? You’re so light-headed that you wonder how you’ll remember the next question. Soon, too soon, it’s time to go and you are hugging THE Hrithik Roshan goodbye.
Yes, all this and more happened to three t2 girls and a t2 reader when we met Team Kaabil at Novotel in Calcutta, on Friday, armed with specially made Krrish and Vicky Donor chocolates by Sneha Singhi of Paris Cafe.
PS: When we were able to tear our eyes from Those Eyes, we realised just how dazzling Yami Gautam’s smile is.
The film, the philosophy
Hrithik Roshan: Let’s start!
Samhita Chakraborty: You have come to Calcutta for a film promotion after ages… the last time was for Kites, in 2010!
Hrithik: Ya, long time, no? You know, I was going through my Twitter, there are my fan clubs over here and I saw how much love they have and the things they were doing outside the theatres… I felt really bad that I have not gone for a promotional visit to Calcutta for Kaabil. So I told my father, ‘Papa, after the film releases, one trip I want to make.’
Of course, at that time we didn’t know if a trip was going to be worth it because, will the film run or not. But the film ran, it became a big success and I said (claps his hands), ‘Now toh we have to go to Calcutta and thank all my fans over there!’ Because they’ve given us so much love. Even today, when we went to the college (Bhawanipur College), they’re not even calling us Hrithik and Yami, they’re calling us Su and Rohan (from Kaabil). So they’ve really taken the love story home with them.... We’ve seen so much appreciation for the chemistry between Rohan and Su… which we actually could feel while we were shooting. Something beautiful was happening.
Yami Gautam: Absolutely. Something organic.
Hrithik: Ya, like it was destiny or something. And such a beautiful, well-written script this was. We were very fortunate to get the chance to portray so many emotions… love, drama, anger, revenge, calmness, composure, truth… it’s like a cathartic experience, this film.
Samhita: Most actors count that one role as the one that changed their lives. Would you count your blind protagonist in Kaabil as that role?
Hrithik: This film has actually reaffirmed my beliefs and the philosophies that I follow in my life. It’s strengthened them. Because I have always believed that we are all capable and able to do every single thing that we can see ourselves doing. But we don’t take that first step. We assume that we are not able. Our assumption is the devil. The devil is actually our own doubts. Without even trying we’ll assume, ki no, I can’t do it ya... I wish God had given me this and then I could have done that. These are all excuses that we give ourselves.
My belief is that no matter what cards you’ve been dealt with by God, if you just play them well… keep seeking, keep searching and you can lead a very fulfilling life, no matter what.... We must take inspiration from the blind. The darkness we have in our lives, any adversity, any weakness, anything physical, or in a relationship, just keep seeking. Don’t succumb. So Kaabil has not changed me, it has reaffirmed these beliefs in life.
Say ‘Hrithik’, spark a smile
Kaushikee Bhattacharya (student of Adamas International School and regular contributor to t2 Feedback): Yami, what about the story made you say yes?
Yami: I think it’s very rare that you get a platform where everything, right from the story to the characters to the producer, the director, the co-actor… (turns to Hrithik) see, they automatically start smiling (everyone bursts out laughing).
Hrithik: (shakes his head at her): You’re so funny, man.
Yami: E-v-e-r-y where we go, we are having the most serious conversation… here also I started on a very solemn note, but the moment I say ‘co-actor’, I don’t even have to say ‘Hrithik’, everyone starts smiling….
Hrithik (starts laughing): That’s so sweet.
Yami: Ya, so everything (about Kaabil) was so perfect. I think I’ll just call it my luck. We often ask what is luck or destiny, I think it’s just when you are ready for the opportunity…
Hrithik: Yeah, it comes to you…
Yami: Ya, and I think it was time. I was also, as an actor, looking for a role or working with directors or a team of actors… I never thought, of course, that I’ll get to work with Hrithik!
Samhita: See, we all are smiling again! (Both Hrithik and Yami crack up)
This is the girl
Pramita Ghosh: Hrithik, your dad told t2 that you didn’t know much about Yami…
Hrithik: Oh yes. I didn’t know her at all. I’ve not even seen her films. I’ve only seen one scene that she had done for Kaabil. It was very kind and gracious of her to do a screen test for Kaabil. I just saw the scene and in five seconds I shut the laptop and said, ‘This is the one, this is the girl’. (Yami giggles) I was so sure, my instincts were so right. (Turns to Yami, who is blushing and smiling wide) I swear… It was just an actor’s instinct and the kind of person I am, I know the kind of person we need for this character Su. She has to be not just sensitive, not just vulnerable, not just innocent but also have strength, be an intelligent actor — this combination is very difficult, especially to find it in Mumbai, in our industry.
Yami: So sweet.
Hrithik: I think... she has the beauty of Nature in her that has not been corrupted by the… (runs out of words… and pauses) cement and the arc lights of the concrete forest that we have here.
Yami: I can’t even look down and blush! (Because of the ‘Sperm Chocolate’)
(Everybody starts laughing)
Yami: Ya, what will the picture look like!
Kaabil of fan-love
Pramita: So, what is that one thing that both of you want to be kaabil of?
Hrithik: What I think and what she will also second is, we always want to be kaabil of the love that our fans give us.
Yami: Absolutely! So true.
Hrithik: And I think I can again speak for the both of us, when I say that this is the love that we can’t ever take for granted. It has to be earned.
Yami: I’m very reserved as a person. I remember the first time when someone walked up to me for an autograph. I didn’t give it because I was too shy. I was like, ‘Noooo’. My father saw me and said, ‘Don’t do that. I know right now you’re too young to understand this but this is what you’re here for. You must respect it. You must value it and you must always give them that respect’.
Hrithik: This is a coincidence. I had the same moment with my dad. I was going for the release of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. We were in the car, going from Juhu to town... people were waving out but I was really shy so I never waved back. I was just seeing them and looking down. My father pointed out and said, ‘Duggu you have to wave back at them. Give this love back, it’s a blessing and this is not about you, it is about them!’ That’s when I had started to understand that this (the wave) does not mean that I am a star. This means thank you. Thank you for encouraging me, I am so glad and grateful! Because up until then I used to see a lot of stars doing this (blows kisses and waves and everyone bursts out laughing).
Samhita: You remind us of Rajesh Khanna…
Hrithik: I am not taking any names (smiles) but I have seen stars like that. I didn’t want to be that. But my father made me understand that by doing this (waves) you give back that love in your own way, in your own niceness… without taking on that crown of ‘Now I am the king and you are my subjects… make way, make way…!’
Samhita: That was you in Jodhaa Akbar, no?
Hrithik: No, no, he was also a good guy!
My best reviewed film
Samhita: Whenever you have been written about, the word ‘Greek God’ is used.
Hrithik: No, it is wrong! I have been to Greece and nobody has recognised me (everyone goes ROFL)! I walked down from the airport and I said, ‘God is here now, let’s see how people pay their respects!’ But na kisi ne dekha, na kisi ne haath milaya… airport se main gadi mein baitha and I was like everybody in India, they lie to me! They say ‘Greek God, Greek God’ but nobody knows me here. All lies it is! I have been to Greece and nobody knows me there.
(Yami and Team t2 can’t stop laughing)
Samhita: On a serious note, Rohan in Kaabil is a guy-next-door person… did you have to sort of tone down your looks?
Hrithik: No, I just gained seven kilos and that’s it! I didn’t want to look very sharp in the film, like Krrish or Rajveer from
Bang Bang!. That would have become a distraction and not look as vulnerable as I wanted him to look.
Pramita: Kaabil has been doing so well! Critics, fans are loving it…
Hrithik: Thank God! It’s the best reviewed film of my career and I can’t believe it and I don’t know how to react!
Pramita: Is that a relief, after Mohenjo Daro?
Hrithik: Ya ya, in a way… you know, I have always known about my films! When I am doing the film I know where it is going, when I see the first copy of the film I know exactly what is going to happen… except for the reviews. I knew that we have put in so much into the film (Kaabil)... I knew that this is going to pay back. But I was not sure of the reviews and had no idea that the appreciation would be mixed with so much respect… that has taken me by surprise and I am so thankful for that.
Manasi Shah: Yami, your character is raped in this film. Do you feel our cities and roads are unsafe for women? And what is your message to girls in cities who face harassment and violence?
Yami: Of course that’s a crucial part of the story. My message is that you must speak. A lot of times I think being a girl that’s what is taught to us… and we usually hesitate to voice our choices or opinions, especially when something like this happens. I would rather say to parents that conditioning their children is very, very important. It is very important to go beyond the barriers of just being parents and be someone they can talk to. Why do we feel comfortable talking to our friends more? (Hrithik nods in agreement)
Insta-love
Pramita: Moving on to your Instagram accounts, you have some crazy pictures with your kids Hrehaan (10) and Hridhaan (8)… who is more like you, who is a brat?
Hrithik: (Thinks for a couple of seconds) None of them are brats… I want them to be brats and I am trying to make them into brats but they are too nice, yaar.
Samhita: So, are you the brat?
Hrithik: I am more of a brat than them, so you can imagine! I think Hrehaan is more like me. Right now, at least. Hrehaan is more like me, so I worry about him more. Hridhaan is more like his mom (Sussanne). He’s a bit cooler with life, smiley and happy. Hrehaan sits and thinks and all… I get worried ki akela baithke kya soch raha hai?!
Pramita: Yami, your Insta is a fashionista’s delight…
Yami: Really?!
Pramita: Ya! What is your personal style like?
Yami: Personal style is… I think I’m still trying to explore. You know, there are some girls, like my sister, she’s somebody who was born with this fashion thing in her….
Hrithik: Ya? That’s nice! I don’t have that.
Pramita: Come on Hrithik, you don’t need to! You look good in whatever you wear.
Yami: Exactly.
Hrithik: No, no… thank god I have my stylist… and the secret is all hidden!
Pramita: Who are you wearing today?
Hrithik: Anaita Shroff (Adajania).
Pramita: And Yami, you are wearing patches, which is a current trend.
Yami: Yes. I think what I am trying to explore is whatever I am comfortable with. I think it is very important to be comfortable. I have made fashion faux pas, but it’s very important to find out what style you are comfortable in.... As long as you are happy, you are comfortable, it makes you feel good about yourself, that’s all.
snapchat
ZNMD IS OUR FAVOURITE HRITHIK FILM. YOURS?
Hrithik: I don’t have any favourites. The moment I think one is my favourite, after two years I’ll watch it and say, ‘Arre, what crap work did I do!’ Hopefully, Kaabil will be a favourite, but you’ll have to ask me after two years.
OUR FAVOURITE YAMI LOOK IS BENGALI STYLE, IN A SARI, WHAT’S YOURS?
Yami: My favourite Yami look would be… my night suit!
AN ACTOR/ACTRESS YOU WANT TO WORK WITH?
Hrithik: I hope I get to work with Yami again.
Yami: (Looking surprised) Me?
Hrithik: Ya, but in completely contrasting characters from Rohan and Su.
Yami: Yesssss!
A CELEBRITY CRUSH FROM CHILDHOOD?
Hrithik: I had a big crush on Lady Diana.
Yami: Ben Affleck.
FOOD YOU CAN’T RESIST?
Hrithik: I’m a foodaholic. Give me any food and I will not resist it!
Yami: I love this pahari delicacy called ‘Chamba ke rajma’.
Hrithik: Oh yes, we’ve discussed that I must try it.
