I had finished shooting Krrish 3 in June 2012 – Rakesh Roshan

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… Rakesh Roshan celebrates the grand success of Krrish 3. In conversation with Subhash K Jha.

Krrish 3 has been unanimously accepted. You must be relieved because you were competing with American super-hero films?
I have to tell you that I was very nervous when I started making this film. I wasn't confident about pulling off the same level of excellence as the Hollywood super-hero films. But somewhere, God gave me strength and I went on shooting exactly as I had planned. I shot precisely what I thought my film would be. I finished shooting in June 2012. Then, I allowed the VFX team to take over. I sat with them and explained the visuals that I wanted in the action scenes. Every action went through a revision 40-50 times.

My God! That sounds tough?
It was. It took us nearly one-and-a-half years to do the VFX. The last three VFX shots came to us on 22nd October, 10 days before the release. Then, when I saw the end-result, I felt relieved.

Victorious?
Yes, you could say I felt victorious. Hrithik and I were satisfied with what we saw. After that, we left it to the audience to decide how they felt about what we had done. Fortunately for us, the audience has liked what we had done. In my entire career as a filmmaker, I've never received so much appreciation. The phone just doesn't stop ringing. I am getting calls from friends and strangers from all over the world. It is very humbling. When they say Krissh 3 puts the Hollywood super-hero films to shame I feel 10-feet tall.

The special effects are indeed very special in Krrish 3?
But it's the story that really works. It is the story, the emotions that bind the audience to the special effects. The stunts and action can only be an added attraction. One can't make them the main event. I was very conscious of the fact that audiences would be coming back to see the Krissh saga, and not just any ordinary film.

The father-son emotions have been truly appreciated?
Those emotions are an inherent part of my cinema. I don't have to try to put emotions into my films. They are there within me. I always choose subjects that have a strong emotional base. I first chose the content and then I wove the actions scenes around the emotions.

The father-son drama is very strong in Krrish 3?
I've done a mother-son drama in Karan Arjun and in Krrish, Hrithik shared a very strong bond with his grandmother (Rekha). You know, whenever we show a father-son relationship in our films, it's always a situation for ideological conflict. In Krrish 3, the father and son are on the same side. There is no confrontation between them. Audiences have liked that. Every father and son identifies with the drama.

Apparently, Hrithik wanted to play the super-villain?
When he told me that, I flatly refused. If Hrithik had played the super-villain also, we'd have to sit at home and watch the film.

How did you decide on Vivek Oberoi for the super-villain's role?
I don't know why but when I was writing the script, only Vivek came to my mind for Kaal's character. Vivek is a very fine actor. Also the super-villain had to be of the same age group as the super-hero. Otherwise, their conflict would not have worked. It's very difficult to find a good actor who is also a star and willing to play the villain. I didn't want to cast a character-actor in the super-villain's part. When I approached Vivek, I was a little sceptical as he was playing the hero's part in other films. I wondered if he would agree. But he jumped at the part. And he did the part with such sincerity! Not once did he let me feel he was a leading man playing a villain. He's done a fantastic job.

The truth is Krrish 3 has given Oberoi a new lease of life?
Both Vivek and Kangna would benefit immensely from the success of this film. For Kaaya's role, only Kangna came to my mind. She has carried her role, her clothes, get-up everything very well. There is no reference-point for Kangna's role. Had I cast any other actress, the role wouldn't have come across so effectively.

But you approached other actresses?
When I had approached Kangna for the part initially, she had refused. So, reluctantly I went to other actresses. I went back to Kangna, told her to read the script. I told her not to be apprehensive that I'd chop off her role because Priyanka was there. She read the script and jumped at the offer saying, 'Not one page of the script can be torn out because the scenes are so tightly packed together.'

Priyanka Chopra's role is under-written?
No no. Priyanka plays Hrithik's wife and her character has to move forward logically from the earlier Krissh film. I couldn't make her do things just because Priyanka Chopra is playing the part. It was very difficult to preserve a balance among all these characters.

The father-son rapport between you and Hrithik is unique to cinema in any part of the world. Would you ever think of making a film without Hrithik?
Make a film without Hrithik? Why would I that? I've the best star-actor in my house. Why would I go to anyone else? Hrithik was my right-hand man throughout the making of Krrish 3. The two of us are completely professional on the sets. We speak to one another as director and actor on the sets. We don't whisper to one another. If he asks for one more take, I don't give it him because he's my son but because I know the shot will get better if he is asking for a retake.

Your brother Rajesh Roshan's music has been roundly criticized in Krrish 3?
I don't know why that is so. The music is topping every music chart. To be honest, this movie didn't require songs. But I had to put 3 songs. I am very fond of the songs. I completely stand by the music. I know when I make Krissh 4, they'll say the music of Krissh 3 was good. Now if Krrish 3 does well, the songs will grow.

So when are you making Krrish 4?
Right now I am exhausted. My mind is blank. I may make a love story or an action film before Krrish 4. Let's see how how the success of Krrish 3 pans out. Right now, my happiness comes from seeing my wife and daughter's smile. They've seen Hrithik and me work so hard.

Hrithik says he can't imagine Indian cinema without you?
I introduced a new genre. I made unconventional films in the commercial language. And they've worked. I feel blessed and honoured.

What immediate plans?
A holiday. I won't make another film until I feel like it.

Krissh 3 is the latest in a series of blockbusters this year?
Yes, a lot of films have done well this year. I hope Ram-Leela and Dhoom 3 also do well.

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more