Hrithik Roshan made his Bollywood debut with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai on January 14, 2000. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, this romantic thriller turned his son into a Bollywood star overnight. The audience loved his dancing, screen presence, and unique personality.
Hrithik Roshan Received 30,000 Proposals After Debut In Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
The frenzy of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was extraordinary. On The Kapil Sharma Show in 2019, Hrithik revealed that he had received over 30,000 marriage proposals following the success of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.
He also made history at the Filmfare by winning awards for both Best Male Debut and Best Actor, and an additional 92 awards for Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.
The film made him an instant heartthrob because of his chiselled looks, energetic dance moves and romantic screen persona. His popularity led the movie to become one of the blockbuster films in Bollywood with almost ₹80 crores worldwide, as per DNA India.
While the success was glamorous, Hrithik also faced problems while coping with the overwhelming scale of his fame.
Hrithik Roshan Almost Quit Acting After Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
Just a week after Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai opened in theatres, Hrithik Roshan's father was violently attacked. On January 21, Rakesh was shot outside his office in Mumbai. He survived two gunshots, one in the arm and another in the chest.
For Hrithik, who was only beginning his acting career, the attack changed how he viewed the film industry. In an interview with the BBC, the actor said, “I had not even begun to enjoy the success of my film, and this happened.”
The fatal attack on his father left Hrithik questioning whether he wanted to be a part of Bollywood or not. At the time, he was working on Mission Kashmir, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and was rehearsing the song Bumbro.
“I was dancing, and I caught my reflection in the mirror, and suddenly I stopped. I thought my father was in the hospital; why am I doing this? Am I dancing? I just felt very dirty inside,” he recalled in the BBC interview.
Hrithik believed that the attack was related to the success of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and the business surrounding the film.
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Rakesh Roshan Recalls Finding Hrithik Crying In His Room
In his interview with The Quint, Rakesh described the moment when the excitement surrounding his son's success became difficult to manage.
“I remember this incident, three or four months after the film had been released. Hrithik was crying in his room,” he recalled. According to Rakesh, Hrithik said, “I can’t handle it. I can’t work, I can’t go to the studio.”
The actor was struggling to find the time and space to learn, act and concentrate on his work. Rakesh recalled him explaining that buses carrying girls and boys were arriving to meet him, while constant phone calls and crowds followed him wherever he went.
Rakesh said he advised his son to view the situation as a blessing rather than a burden, adjust to the change and continue working. He added that Hrithik eventually understood his point.
What Did Hrithik Roshan Do After Kaho Na Pyaar Hai?
Hrithik did not quit Bollywood and acting. He eventually moved beyond the cute, romantic guy image to more versatile characters.
His early career included Fiza (2000), Mission Kashmir (2000) and Yaadein (2001). He later took on more varied roles, from the troubled protagonist of Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) to the stylish thief in Dhoom 2 (2006), the emperor in Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and the physically challenged magician in Guzaarish (2010).
These choices helped establish that his career could extend beyond the phenomenon of his first film.
Hrithik Roshan’s story shows how a successful debut can be both an advantage and a challenge for an actor. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai gave him immediate stardom, but it left him with questions about whether it is all worth it.
FAQs
Q1. What was Hrithik Roshan’s first movie?
A1. Hrithik Roshan’s first movie was Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai, which was released in January 2000.
Q2. Why did Hrithik Roshan Cry after his debut film?
A2. Hrithik Roshan cried after the release of his blockbuster debut film, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, because he was overwhelmed by his sudden, massive overnight stardom.
Q3. What are Hrithik Roshan’s upcoming movies?
A3. Hrithik Roshan is currently working on Krrish 4 and Mess.