The reign of Roshan

With the success of Krrish and Dhoom 2, Hrithik Roshan is the flavour of the industry.

He is the only star who can claim superstar status after the Khans. He has all the makings of the first Indian superstar to hit Hollywood. And in Dhoom 2, he is the only hero that matters". This is trade analyst Komal Nahta on Hrithik Roshan.

The actor has delivered two major hits in 2006 "" Krrish, where as a superhero he had audiences (especially children) clamouring for more.

Now, with Dhoom 2, Roshan has delivered his second major hit outside his father's Filmkraft banner (the first being Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham).

If Roshan Jr upped his sagging career graph with Koi Mil Gaya in 2003, he scored points for Krrish too. With Dhoom 2, Roshan, as a high-tech, gizmo-toting, intelligent thief has reached a crescendo.

Audiences emerging from the corridors of multiplexes have given the thumbs up to the Aishwarya-Hrithik pairing.

In addition, they have given their approval once again to Roshan's acting, dancing and stunt-performing abilities.

The box office has also favoured Dhoom 2. The film, say trade pundits and exhibitors, is all set to become the biggest blockbuster of the year.

Released last week, Dhoom 2 has already made Rs 28 crore at the box office in net collections in the first three-four days of its release. This makes it the biggest film to gross such profits within the first week.

Taran Adarsh, film trade analyst, confirms: "Dhoom 2 debuted at the number six spot in UK, making it the second-biggest opener for a Hindi movie after Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. For Hrithik, it's his second-biggest opening after Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gham. In the US, it has had the biggest opening among Hindi films ever, ranking at No 17 in the US top list."

Nahta adds, "Dhoom 2 has already got revenues over Rs 10 crore in the US and UK markets. For the first time Hrithik has been able to break into this market in a big way."

Director Kunal Kohli, who worked with him in the not-so-successful Mujhse Dosti Karoge, says, "With Dhoom 2, Hrithik has left all other actors at least four years behind. Earlier, people used to say he was a hit with children. Post-Dhoom 2, women have become his ardent fans. In that respect, he has grabbed the entire market."

Sanjay Gadhvi, the director responsible for his latest hit, says, "We were confident that Hrithik could guarantee our money back. He has tremendous star power."

Which explains why big production banners, corporates and directors are scurrying to cash in on the Hrithik mania.

According to sources, Roshan has already become one of the highest paid actors in the country, charging more than the three Khans (Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman) and nearly three-four times more than Abhishek Bachchan for his forthcoming films.

And while Adlabs refuses to comment, industry pundits say he is close to tying the knot with the Anil Ambani-owned company for acting in three films at a staggering Rs 35 crore. The contract will be applicable, insiders say, from end of 2007 or 2008, but Hrithik will have the right to act for his home production run by father Rakesh Roshan.

Roshan Sr, however, clarifies, "I'm not even sure whether Hrithik will be in my next film. Adlabs and Filmkraft have nothing to do with each other."

While Roshan teams up once again with Aishwarya Rai for Ashutosh Gowariker's Rs 45-crore extravaganza Jodha Akbar, where he plays Emperor Akbar, he also has Zoya Akhtar's Kismat Talkies.

Rumours suggest that Rakeysh "Rang De Basanti" Om Prakash Mehra has approached him for Dilli 6. Roshan's rates for endorsing brands have also gone up.

Says a senior executive of an FMCG company which uses him for advertising: "Before Krrish, Hrithik charged around Rs 1.5 crore. Then his charges went up to Rs 2.5-3.5 crore. I won't be surprised if he charges Rs 4 crore now. People are ready to pay him that kind of money."

For good reason. Krrish, for instance, is the second-highest domestic box office hit (after Lage Raho Munnabhai) in 2006, raking in Rs 64.86 crore. In comparison, superstar Shah Rukh Khan's films Don and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna were unable to breach the Rs 50-crore mark.

Abhishek Bachchan's Umrao Jaan bombed miserably, and even Salman Khan's Jaanemann flopped. Aamir Khan is the only other actor to have had two big hits in a row, Fanaa and Rang De Basanti, netting over Rs 100 crore in the domestic box office.

But even here Hrithik has raced ahead as his two movies have already netted around Rs 85 crore, and Dhoom 2 is still finding huge takers.

A well-known director says: "Hrithik can carry a movie on his own. Abhishek still needs other co-stars, or his father's support. John Abraham has not given blockbusters and Saif is not an international star."

For now, clearly, it is the season of Hrithik Roshan.

DADDY SPEAK

ON HRITHIK IN DHOOM 2
As a father, it gives me immense pleasure to see him successful in the industry. As a director, I'm proud that he continues to explore a variety of roles.

ON THE SETS OF KRRISH
Hrithik takes interest in all facets of filmmaking. He's always helping co-stars and tidying even minute details. He is a focused student.

AS A STUNT ACTOR
He loves to do his own stunts. While shooting Krrish, if I approved of a stunt sequence done by Hrithik, it would never satisfy him. "Let's do it again, dad," he would invariably say.

FATHER ON SON
When he was a school-going kid, he was bright. Today, as a professional, he displays the same discipline and dedication. He is a family man. He doesn't party or go to discos. At home, we discuss films a lot and he always gets very excited. I was confident that my son would create magic. I have the advantage of being able to push him to newer abilities. That's why he had a macho image in Kaho Na Pyar Hai, a mentally challenged character in Koi Mil Gaya and a superhero in Krrish.

VOICES

"When making Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Hrithik used to be at the sets by 5.30 am. I was touched that despite Mujhse Dosti Karoge's flop status, Hrithik or his father have never been rude or cold towards me. He was my first choice for Hum Tum. It took him a month to refuse Hum Tum and till date he has the bound script of the film with him."

"" Kunal Kohli, director

"When Aditya Chopra and I approached Hrithik for Dhoom 2, he was analysing his own career graph. His films flopped initially because he was doing favours for friends in the industry. Today, a director has to earn his respect for him to sign on a particular film. He went to London for a workshop we'd organised for his costumes and makeup. He was meticulous in wanting even his stubble to look the same in all scenes. Reports suggest that Dhoom 2 is Hrithik's film. If one actor gets the credit and can pull crowds to cinema halls, I am content."

"" Sanjay Gadhvi, director

"All actors do stunts, there's nothing extraordinary in that. The only difference is that while we need to push others, Hrithik ends up delivering on his own. He even learnt rollerblading for four months for Dhoom 2."

"" Allan Amin, action director