There is another actor, apart from Aamir Khan, who is hailed as a perfectionist, and he is also referred to as an actor who tries too hard at times — Hrithik Roshan. While Hrithik does have several over-the-top performances to his name, including Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003), Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (2002), Mujhe Se Dosti Karoge! (2002), among others, he also has some highly emotional, restrained and aptly entertaining portrayals in his repotoire.
Directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar and Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan, among a few others, brought out the best in the actor. On Hrithik's 44th birthday today (10 January), we pick six performances that struck a chord with us and made us love the actor.
1) Kaho Naa... Pyar Hai (2000)
Nobody had any expectations from this film or the debutant actor, Hrithik Roshan, when it first hit the theatres. But everything changed overnight. Hrithik was 100% prepared when he began his debut film in all departments that were a must for a typical Hindi film hero — ripped body, dancing skills, fight sequences, romance, drama. And father Rakesh Roshan, who directed the film, made sure Hrithik showcased all of these and danced (pun intended) straight into the hearts of his audience.
Kaho Naa... was more style than substance, but beyond his good looks and charm, Hrithik proved in his very first film that he could emote. He also proved that he could carry a whole film on his shoulders.
2) Koi... Mil Gaya (2003)
Rakesh Roshan’s sci-fi/ alien/superhero flick borrowed from many Hollywood films, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), but it was lapped up by the audience, thanks mainly to the likeable performance by the film’s leading man – Hrithik. After a big slump, Hrithik’s career once again took an upward swing with the mentally disabled Rohit, who is transformed into a strong individual, thanks to the psychokinetic powers of an alien. Rohit will always remain one of Hrithik's most memorable characters.
3) Lakshya (2004)
The second half of this Farhan Akhtar directorial saw one of the most restrained performances from Hrithik, as a heartbroken young man who finds a purpose to his life after enrolling in the army. We would love to see Hrithik once again choose a role, where his silences can speak more and he can win hearts with an understated performance.
4) Guzaarish (2010)
Hrithik played the role of a quadriplegic who believes life is beautiful, but also that he wants to live and die with dignity. He played the part of someone who demands his right to euthanasia, with great conviction and sensitivity, constantly making the viewer shuffle between broad happy smiles and tears. Bhansali did a brilliant job in writing Ethane's character and Hrithik executed it in a way that it was heart-breakingly good.
5) Agneepath (2012)
Agneepath is Hrithik’s most intense performance. While his scenes opposite the films' villains, Rauf Lala and Kancha were fierce, sequences with his mother, sister and girlfriend were very sensitive – full of love, angst and longing.
6) Kaabil (2017)
We wouldn’t say that Hrithik’s portrayal of a blind man is perfect, but he gets the pain and turmoil of his character bang on. He takes on the challenge of portraying his emotions despite the blankness of the eyes and excels as a character who is led to the path of revenge after a traumatic incident. His pain and anger is palpable. The actor was also convincing in scenes where he executed his plans to murder all those responsible for his wife’s rape and death.