One of the most prominent Bollywood personalities of his generation, Hrithik Roshan is an actor, television host, singer, and dancer. Roshan began his career as a child artist and his debut in a lead role came in 2000, in his father
Rakesh Roshan`s romantic thriller
Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which earned the actor two Filmfare Awards and catapulted him to fame. Often referred to as the `Greek God of Bollywood` for his impressive physique, the actor continues to be one of Bollywood`s most notable figures and has won numerous awards and recognitions over the years.
A sensational dancer himself, Hrithik Roshan served as a judge on the hit reality TV show Just Dance. In 2011, a life-size wax statue of the superstar was erected at the Madame Tussaud`s Wax Museum, London, making Roshan the fifth Indian actor to earn that honor.
Early LifeHrithik Roshan was born on 10th January 1974, in Mumbai, to Rakesh and Pinky Roshan.
He studied at the Bombay Scottish School in Mahim, where he claims his stammering problem caused him a great deal of trauma. He often faked sicknesses to avoid going to school but slowly practiced his speech and grew in confidence. The third generation superstar attended Sydenham College and earned a bachelor of commerce degree, before he rejected a scholarship to study in the USA, in order to pursue his film career.
Personal LifeHrithik Roshan`s father Rakesh Roshan is a famous film director, and his mother Pinky Roshan is the daughter of
J. Om Prakash, a notable director, and producer. Hrithik Roshan`s paternal grandfather, the late Roshanlal Nagrath, aka Roshan, was a music composer and his uncle
Rajesh Roshan is a prominent music director.
In the year 2000, the superstar got married to his childhood sweetheart Sussanne Khan, an interior designer, who is the daughter of actor Sanjay Khan, and sister of actor
Zayed Khan. Between 2006 and 2008, the couple had two sons, namely Hrehaan and Hridhaan. However, in late 2013, Hrithik Roshan announced that the two were getting divorced. Their separation was finalized in November 2014.
Acting CareerHrithik Roshan began his acting career as a child artist in his grandfather J. Om Prakash`s movie
Aasha when he was just 6 years of age. He was cast in several other movies, many of which were made by his father and grandfather. Hrithik Roshan claims that he was the "good luck charm" in their movies. In the 1990`s, Roshan assisted his father on numerous movies like Khel and
Koyla, where he swept floors and even served tea to the cast members.
In early 2000, Hrithik Roshan burst onto the scene with his spectacular performance in
Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai, his debut as a lead actor. Directed by his father Rakesh Roshan, the film saw the actor playing a double role and earning praise from audiences and critics alike. Hrithik Roshan became an overnight sensation and the term "Hrithikmania" was coined to describe the waves he sent across the country. His ability to act, perform stunts, dance, and his good looks, ensured that he raised the bar of acting standards in the Bollywood industry.
Roshan achieved substantial success for his following movies like
Fiza and
Mission Kashmir, even being nominated for a Filmfare Award for the latter. His next mega-success came with
Karan Johar`s family drama
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which went on to be one of Bollywood`s highest grossing movies of all time. Unfortunately for the actor, his next few movies like
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage,
Mujhse Dosti Karoge, and
Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon saw him going into a slump, with suspicion arising that his best days may have been behind him.
However, the superstar shot back to prominence with his family production
Koi... Mil Gaya, where he plays a mentally challenged man who meets an alien on Earth. Hrithik Roshan won his first Filmfare Award since
Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai and his performance went down as one of the most iconic ones in Bollywood history. The superstar followed it up with stellar performances in
Lakshya,
Krrish (a sequel to
Koi... Mil Gaya), and
Dhoom 2.
Hrithik Roshan`s enactment of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in the movie
Jodhaa Akbar cemented his legacy as one of India`s most versatile actors. His next few movies only did moderately well, but in November 2010, his performance opposite
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in
Guzaarish earned him widespread praise. The following year, he starred in
Zoya Akhtar`s
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which instantly became a cult film, earning a whopping 33 Filmfare Awards.
After a commendable performance in 2012`s
Agneepath, a remake of the 1990 movie Agneepath, Hrithik Roshan resumed working with his family production, starring in the high-budget
Krrish 3, in 2013. Roshan was himself involved in multiple aspects of the film`s production and Krrish 3 went on to earn around 3 billion INR, making it one of Bollywood`s most successful films of all time. His only release of 2016 is the
Ashutosh Gowarikar-directed
Mohenjo Daro. His 2019 releases include
Super 30 and
War. His other projects include
Vikram Vedha with Saif Ali Khan and
Fighter with Deepika Padukone.