Hrithik Roshan Krrish

The West may be getting ready for the return of Superman, but in the East over a billion people have been waiting for a caped crusader of their own. Krrish, Bollywood's first ever superhero flick, sees heart-throb Hrithik Roshan play a young man destined to rid the world of evil. A sequel to Koi Mil Gaya, Bollywood's first major sci-fi film, Krrish is directed once again by Hrithik's father, Rakesh Roshan. It also boasts one of Bollywood's biggest ever budgets and spectacular Hollywood-style effects.

Krrish looks a bit like an amalgam of Superman, Spider-man, Batman and The Matrix. How different is he to Hollywood's superheroes?

They all revolve around a common genre, but if you're coming to watch a Superman or a Batman then don't, because Krrish is different. He doesn't start off by making himself a mask and cape, standing on top of a building and saying that he will save the world. Krrish is a simple boy and a misfit. He has all these powers but it's not until he falls in love with a girl that a superhero is born.

Why hasn't there been a Bollywood superhero before now?

In recent times Indian attitudes have changed. Hindi films don't have the melodrama of ten years back. They're becoming more real and subtle, which gives more scope for characters like Krrish to emerge.

Who's your favourite superhero?

Superman was the first Western superhero film I ever watched, and has always been my favourite. Until, of course, Krrish came along.

How demanding was the role?

Well, the physical challenge was quite apparent, but the true challenge was to give this character the same endearing, simple charm that his father had in the prequel. Here you have someone who is fast, strong, muscular, and intelligent. How do you make them lovable at the same time? Also, since Krissh's face is usually covered and he hardly ever speaks, body language is very important. I wanted my portrayal of Krissh to be completely consistent, which is why there was no way I'd allow a stunt double to do any shots.

You perform some amazing action scenes under the instruction of Hong Kong master Tony Ching Siu Tung, who has worked on films like House of Flying Daggers. What was it like training with him?

We had some pretty torturous sessions, six to eight hours a day. Tony actually requested six months for training but our budget didn't allow for that kind of luxury. Thankfully I picked it up within a month and a half.

Didn't one particular stunt lead to a life-threatening incident?

Yes. I was perched up on a clock tower for about two hours, waiting for it to stop raining. Once we were ready for the shot, Dad said 'action' and I went for it. I found myself falling 50 feet, and landed on a canopy over a food court!

It's often been claimed that you only perform well in your father's films, of which Krrish is the third...

Good films work and bad films don't. It just so happens that all the films I have done with my dad have been good. Plus, the love he has for me helps me do better.

Is there a Krrish 2 in the pipeline?

We are waiting to see how much the audience like it. If they do, then why not!