Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2001 8:58 am
Posts: 263
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A one-movie wonder?
With seven movies flopping at the box office out
of his eight movies in three years track record, Hrithik Roshan seems to have relived being a one-movie phenomenon, says Aman Singh
New Delhi, August 10
The next Shahrukh Khan. The man with the bulging biceps, the charmer, the looks, his dancing style that swept off the entire nation off its feet. He was the star son with all everything perfect for him. However, the phenomenon that was Hrithik Roshan, started and ended with his first film, the (ad)venture by "father dear" Rakesh Roshan.
He was dubbed the next biggest star to happen in Indian film industry, which was facing a vacuum of upcoming stars in 2000 when Roshan Junior was launched in Kaho Naa…Pyar Hai (KNPH) opposite debutante Amisha Patel. While the film got rare reviews and rang the box office like never before, Hrithik became the millennium surprise not only for the industry but also for the entire nation.
Offers started piling in and even marriage to Suzanne Khan didn't deter Bollywood directors who made a beeline for the new star on the horizon. Flattered definitely, but Hrithik remaining modesty personified. However, two years have passed since his celebrated debut and Roshan Junior's image is fast eroding with no other success having come his way after the initial debut.
While his costar Amisha Patel complained of not having received any mileage from her debut, she has on the contrary done better than Roshan after her first film. After KNPH, came Fiza with a lot of expectations with him experimenting the action hero image but sadly the only one who gained was Karishma Kapoor, his costar and not him. In fact, he was given average reviews with his fans sighing with disappointment despite a performance delivered with panache.
This was followed by another stint at building his "action hero" status with Mission Kashmir. But, again sharing the limelight with Priety Zinta and Sanjay Dutt, an established action hero in Bollywood, made Hrithik look shamefully ill-equipped for the role. With another ace gone down the box office without much for him except lessons, reviewers had a day out criticising him, his technique and even the fact whether he could stay on for more in the industry.
No longer was he compared to the reigning Khans, with Shahrukh Khan jokingly even claiming in the press as to the "audacity of comparing a newcomer with me". Yaadein followed amidst speculation of Hrithik's future making Kareina Kapoor a popular name but the former once again facing the dust for a completely "gone wrong" film. Despite the huge banner supporting the film, a poor script, bad directing and a lackluster performance the film recorded another flop for him.
With a career spanning four films in a single year and three being flops, Hrithik did not have much to boast of when the much celebrated Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (K3G) was released in 2001. With the film showing off a huge cast with big names of the film industry like Shahrukh Khan, Kajol in the lead roles and an established and appreciated actress Kareina Kapoor costarring with him, Hrithik once again lost out on the otherwise gains that this stupendously budgeted film made because of it being multi-starrer.
After K3G came his next film, Aap Mujhe Acche Lagne Lage in 2002 opposite Amisha Patel in an attempt to re-ignite the chemistry they shared in KNPH. Again, multiple factors scarred the flick as a flop making Hrithik's fate in Bollywood seem imminently facing downhill. With six movies in his bag and only one having been an acknowledged hit and two others having fared averagely, Roshan Jr. had all it took to keep him in the minds of the audience.
Next came Na Tum Jaano Na Hum opposite Esha Deol, a newcomer, a film that there isn't much to say about except the fact that it recorded the 6th film for him besides it being his 5th flop. Even Esha Deol didn't gain much from this film that boasted off nothing more than some song sequences and romantic scenes.
And here now is Mujhse Dosti Karoge, a remake of Dil To Pagal Hai, another love triangle between best friends starring Rani Mukherjee and Kareina Kapoor besides Roshan. And not surprisingly, the Indian audience isn't buying it, yet again. Not only because it is a reflection of Dil To Pagal Hai but also because they are bored stiff of the entire concept and storyline involving the magical triangle.
While critics went to town saying that the "bicep hero" was facing downhill, what he really lacked or shall we say overdid was the intensity bit. In K3G especially, his attempt at being over-intense is what sealed his (ill)fate for him. Another style of him that worked at an advantage for him in KNPH now has begun to act against him. This is his style of dancing that is constant with similar movements in all his song sequences. While in the beginning it was a craze, it has now melted down to nothing more than a repetitive act, something that the audience has never been able to stand, always wanting "something different".
With eight movies to boast off in three years, Roshan hasn't done badly in the number game for himself, but where flops and hits make history and the future, he has lost out terribly. While he blames it on the lack of good scripts, it seems like Roshan Jr. has a lot to learn before he can repeat KNPH. For the moment, however, he is facing the latest flop of his life. How long he can now retain the audience's interest is anyone's guess!
http://www.tehelka.com/channels/ane/200 ... 002hri.htm
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