'Even kings would bow down to their teachers': Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan talks about the importance of educators
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 5, 2019)

As a kid, Hrithik Roshan was fond of Science but it’s his turn as a mathematics teacher in Super 30 that has got him both acclaim and box-office success. On Teacher’s Day today, the actor tells us how his perspective towards educators has changed post the film, and his favourite teacher.

Which subjects did you like in school?
As a kid, I was not academically inclined, but I have always been a curious learner. So, to an extent, I enjoyed studying Science. In fact, I still do. I like getting into the depth of things and if a subject interests me, I enjoy doing research on it through books, videos and articles.

Who was your favourite teacher?
I don’t remember having a favourite teacher in school, but my speech therapist Dr Oza (he helped the actor overcome his stammering), comes to my mind. He was the first person who understood my weaknesses and helped me work on it.

How important are teachers in moulding a person?
I’ve said this before — teachers are the true nation-builders. They are the ones who are responsible in shaping the future of society with the thoughts they seed in kids’ minds, the lessons they teach them at such an early stage. That is where change actually begins.

After playing a guru, has it made any difference in your perspective of a teacher?
Absolutely! While portraying Anand Kumar and working on Super 30, I understood more and more about the importance of a teacher. A good guru has the power to transform lives for the better. The value they add to a person’s life is unimaginable. And the testimony to this is hundreds of years old. Even kings would bow down to their teachers.

You penned a note for teachers on social media. Did you try to reach out to any of your teachers?
I haven’t particularly been in touch with any of my teachers from school or university as there was no one-on-one equation with them. However, over the years, there have been people who have taught me a lot in life and I still am in constant touch with them.