The Independent, one of England's leading daily newspapers, has just published a large, flattering feature on Hrithik Roshan.
Correspondent Fiona Sturges had an awestruck encounter with the actor, who is in London to perform at the first Sangeet Music Awards, to be held at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday.
Sturges' feature speaks of Hrithik's 'Elvis-like' hysteria spread across India, and refers to him as an emerald-eyed, tousled-haired demi-god.
It mentions his dancing has been excitably compared to Michael Jackson, and Roshan blushes and admits to being recognised in London as well: 'On an earlier shopping expedition around Covent Garden, Roshan estimates that he was recognised "at least once every two minutes" and, to avoid being mobbed, resorted to donning the regulation disguise of hat and sunglasses.'
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Struges calls him one of the Hindi film industry's largest stars, reading his Filmfare credits straight off his official press release, and confers on him acting plaudits, mentioning how his Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham reached number three at the UK box office.
The feature discusses his suitability for Hollywood, but Hrithik disagrees: '"Doing an English film is something I don't think I'm suited to," he reflects.' '"I don't think my acting style would translate well. Besides, if it's not about being the best, then there's no point. I'm the best at what I do in my world."'
The Independent repeatedly mentions Hrithik being branded as the 'Brad Pitt of Bollywood,' and the star inadvertently says something that would, coincidentally, go down well with his iconic global status among the Asian gay community:
'"I don't think it's fair to draw parallels like that (between himself and Pitt),"' he told The Independent. '"I consider him to be the epitome of physical strength and perfection. We are working in different worlds and we are very different people." He pauses, chuckles mischievously and adds: "I look forward to the day when Brad Pitt will be compared to me."'
