Nice contrast for you and Aishwarya Rai after Dhoom 2?
Yes, people are already talking about how good we're looking together in Dhoom 2. That feels good, considering at one time we were considered a mismatch. With our light eyes and fair skin we were almost seen as siblings. I don't think I've looked better with any other actress. We've one more film together and we better look good.
You've been experimenting a lot with your looks.
All the compliments that have come to me for my looks in Dhoom 2 must go to my stylist Anaida. Not that I ever had a style. But yes, I've been changing my looks for all my films. You've to keep challenging yourself. I'll be changing my looks, clothes and entire stance for all my roles. It's part of my evolution as an actor.
A legal suit has been filed in Indore against you for his hot kissing scene.
It's just one man (an Indore-based lawyer) who has objected. He doesn't represent any section of people. He's a lawyer sitting in his office and enjoying every bit of attention. I believe he's excited about a TV camera in his office. It's like a burst of glory in his life. I'm totally indifferent to this kind of behaviour. It's time for a change.
Hrithik admits he had never done a kissing scene before.
"I did give it a lot of thought. There was enough reason and inspiration here to go ahead. I tried to make it as beautiful as possible and I stand by it completely."
So how does it feel to be called the new No.1?
"Great! But it's futile to do mental gymnastics about my box office position. These are numbers meant to only inflate your ego. I'm enjoying it, yes. It's very important for me to understand that people are only trying to make me happy by calling me Rock Star and No.1, or whatever. I'd rather not waste my time thinking about this. "I've done good work and 'Dhoom 2' worked. What made it work was that all of us in the film were on the same side. All of us - Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya, Uday Chopra, Bipasha Basu and I - were trying to make the same film. That's why we had such a happy ending."
Suddenly the 20-something generation is rooting for Hrithik.
"Agreed, they're an attraction. But I think what worked for my character is that I played a cool guy for the first time. I did play one in the second-half of 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. But that's it.
Do you believes that "Dhoom 2" has given you a much-needed makeover?
"Earlier, I was relegated to playing goody two-shoes - you know, the consummate do-gooder with a sweet smile on his face. After the nerd and the innocent 'Koi ...Mil Gaya' and 'Krrish', it's very re-assuring to know I'm capable of jumping from one end of the image-spectrum to another. "As an actor it's very satisfying to be accepted in 'Dhoom 2'. The entire credit for that should be given to stylist Anaida. I can't even begin to take credit for my look. Right from the conception stage Anaida led me into the look."
You are truly excited about Jodha-Akbar?
It takes me to a place where I've never travelled, not even in my imagination. The journey has already become very fascinating for me. I've been reading up books on the Mughal rulers. Ashutosh Gowariker is doing rest of the research.
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