Subhash K Jha

Hrithik Roshan celebrated his birthday on January 10.

At the Roshans' residence, there was the usual flurry of guests, congratulatory calls and SMS messages. How many? "Oh innumerable and I spent half the day answering all of them personally. Since I had the time I thought I might as well do it," Hrithik laughs, loath to draw attention to how thoughtful he can be if he sets his heart on it.

"I remember I was in Sydney, Australia, for my last birthday with Suzanne. And I had the day off. God, that seems such a long way off!"

No such luck this time. This birthday Hrithik worked through the day: "I was working with my Chacha [music composer and uncle Rajesh Roshan] and my Dad [director Rakesh Roshan] over a song in Koi Mil Gaya. In the evening, it was the gym as usual. Suzanne had something planned for the night."

Things seem to be looking up for the actor who has been called the superstar of the new millennium. "I'm so glad Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham has done well. It is entirely Karan's [Johar, director] baby," says Hrithik. As the hip, trendy Indian who woos chic Londoner Kareena Kapoor, and is instrumental in reuniting his estranged brother with his parents, Hrithik's performance has come in for tremendous praise.

"I enjoy emoting more than singing and dancing," he says reflectively. "I would love to be part of, say, Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding, where I don't have to worry about being the conventional hero. If someone comes to me with a worthwhile offer in an offbeat film I would do it even if it were a small role."

As the younger Raichand heir in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Hrithik is very much part of the emotional tension in the plot. Says he, "I am completely satisfied and happy with my role in K3G. I signed on for it before Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai was released. I'm glad I did. I have a supporting role but I have been presented very well.

"Had Karan given me a choice of characters to play in K3G I would still have picked mine. Although I'm not the film's leading man Karan has made sure my fans aren't disappointed."

Hrithik refuses to say anything about the heated arguments he had with Subhash Ghai during the making of Yaadein and how, at one point, he almost walked out of the film. "He conceived the film on a very spontaneous level," says Hrithik diplomatically. "Until the day of the shoot, I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was a newcomer, so I just went along with whatever I was told. But now I am sure of one thing: The script comes first. No more spontaneous creativity for me."

K3G is the last of Hrithik's supporting roles. From April, he will be seen in central roles in Vikram Bhatt's Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage with Amisha Patel and Arjun Sablok's Na Tum Jaano Na Hum with Esha Deol. As for Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, Hrithik rhapsodises, "You simply have to see how Kareena and I have worked in it. It was a major challenge for both of us. Everyone involved with the film is working so hard."

But the role he is most excited about is father Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mil Gaya. The film features Hrithik as a boy in a man's body. "As soon as I wear the clothes for my character, I feel I have entered a new world. This is certainly one of the most challenging roles I have played."

Hrithik sees Koi Mil Gaya as a 'crossover film' in his career. "For the first time, I am not depending on rehearsals but on spontaneity in my performance. I wish we could complete Koi Mil Gaya at a stretch. Each time I finish a schedule, I feel I won't be able to play my character again. I still don't know whether I am playing the part correctly. I am just going along with my Dad and my instinct." Unfortunately, Hrithik doesn't have bulk dates for his father's film.

The actor completed one year of marriage in December. According to Hrithik, it has been the happiest year of his life. The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary with close friends and family at Hrithik's father-in-law Sanjay Khan's holiday resort in Bangalore, where the marriage was held a year ago. Says Hrithik, "I have everything that I wanted, thanks to Suzanne. We are basically one in our thoughts. We like the same things. Apart from my tight schedules, we seldom disagree on anything."

Is he hoping for an award this year? "I hope to at least get nominated for a best supporting actor award in Kabhi Khushi.... As for my other films released this year, not a chance!"