From Koi Mil Gaya to Kaabil: Hrithik Roshan has played 'special' characters

Apart from essaying the quintessential heroic characters in films like Dhoom 2, Krrish, Krrish 3 and Agneepath, Hrithik Roshan has not shied away from shedding his heroism to slip into the shoes specially abled characters.

Amongst the major Bollywood stars, Hrithik Roshan is probably the only actor who has managed to deliver successful films when not playing the stereotypical lead role. It all started in 2003 with Rakesh Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya wherein Hrithik Roshan won over the audiences with the portrayal of Rohit.

Following Rohit was Ellen Masceranhas from Guzaarish. Although the film was not a success at the box office, it won over a lot of acclaim from critics. Jr. Roshan also got praised for his performance of a visually impaired guy, Rohit Bhatnagar in recently released film Kaabil, which managed to rake in around Rs 97 crore at the box office.

Talking about the characters, Hrithik Roshan says,

“Perhaps I connect with these characters at some level. It must be some sort of coincidence that I have played these characters but in each of my performances my directors helped me a lot. I have had my own struggles with my physical self. I did stammer as a kid and I am aware how socially awkward and debilitating it can get.”

The actor further revealed that Kaabil has changed his perception towards looking at people who cannot see in real life.

“Kaabil was a different experience for me personally. Perhaps more than the accolades and the box office success what will remain with me is an invaluable understanding. I perhaps realised for the first time that the phrase differently abled is not a polite word for disabled people. They are actually differently abled. I didn’t play Rohan Bhatnagar as a disabled guy, I played a guy who believes in himself. My way of seeing them has changed forever,” said Hrithik.

The actor is currently reading several scripts and an official announcement about his next film is expected to follow soon.