The release of Mohenjo Daro marks an important – and probably anxious – moment in the career of Hrithik Roshan. The Bollywood actor hasn't had a runaway hit in a few years, and his last three films, Bang Bang! (2014), Krrish 3 (2013) and Agneepath (2012) all opened to mixed reviews.
Roshan, justifiably, is excited and going all out to promote Mohenjo Daro – a period drama set in the Indus Valley Civilisation – even as he maintains a Zen-like calm about the competition the film faces from Rustom, a much-anticipated thriller starring Akshay Kumar that is due to release simultaneously.
Ever the consummate professional, Roshan gave Rustom a shout-out while promoting his own film on Twitter.
Roshan says all his confidence is drawn from director Ashutosh Gowariker.
"Ashutosh's attention to detail is staggering," says the 42-year-old actor. "I don't know anyone as meticulous as him. I'm not a big fan of history, but I couldn't stay away from Mohenjo Daro. And having Ashu as the director was an important factor, I follow him blindly."
The admiration is mutual; in a recent interview, Gowariker said if Roshan had refused Mohenjo Daro, he would not dropped the film.
Roshan and Gowariker go back a long way, having first worked together in 2008 on the period drama Jodhaa Akbar, based on the relationship between the famous 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar and his Rajput wife Jodhabai. The movie won them Filmfare and IIFA awards for best actor and best director. Before its release, though, Gowariker's choice of casting was met with scepticism because the actor's light eyes and towering frame did not match Akbar in any way.
"History has too many contradicting versions," Roshan says dismissively. "You just have to pick one that resonates with you and stick to it. Besides, we never said that there wouldn't be some amount of 'fictionalising'. Our goal was to create an entertaining film, not a documentary. If people enjoy the film, all this will be forgotten, like it was during Jodhaa Akbar."
Despite sharing a strong rapport with his director, Roshan found filming for Mohenjo Daro an unexpected challenge.
“When there’s a historical backdrop, every element becomes larger than life,” he explains. “Everything is questioned – the costumes, language, architecture. There’s so much going on in the background that you can lose focus.”
Roshan portrays Sarman, an indigo farmer from a small village who is suddenly thrown into the big bad world and has to learn to navigate a life very different from his simple existence.
“It’s a lot like growing up ... How we’re protected by our parents and then suddenly one day, the real world hits us and we are taken aback. Playing Sarman was like going back to the basics – his journey felt personal.”
Starring opposite him is debutante Pooja Hegde. While established stars tend to baulk at the thought of sharing screenspace with a newcomer, Roshan says he was thrilled with the casting decision.
“Pooja is perfect for the role. She is raw, but she makes her mistakes her strength. I am in awe of how unintimidated she is.”
Roshan will next be seen in Sanjay Gupta's Kaabil, due to be released in January 2017.
• Mohenjo Daro opens in cinemas on Thursday, August 11
artslife@thenational.ae
