Rakesh Roshan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 1, 2020)

It’s a sad day today. I’ve lost a very dear friend. I had dinner with him on March 18, a few days before the Coronavirus lockdown. We both got cancer around the same time—he was diagnosed in August and I in December. He was vibrant when I met him last. He spoke about having gone to Delhi the previous month and how the pollution there had probably caused a relapse but he insisted he was fine. Two weeks later he was hospitalised.

We go back a long way. We got close during the making of Khel Khel M0ein (1975). We went on so many holidays abroad together as couples—he, Neetu and their children (Riddhima and Ranbir) and me with my wife (Pinky) and kids (Hrithik and Sunaina). We did many films together as co-actors and later, he made a special appearance in a song in my first directorial venture and featured in Aap Ke Deewane, the first film I produced.

He was very frank but never cunning or manipulative. He was a rakhi brother to my wife and when he was in New York for his treatment, he called to tell us that he had tied a rakhi on his own hand, on her behalf. That’s how sensitive he really was.

As told to Mohua Das
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BOMBAY TIMES (May 1, 2020)

I met Chintu just about a month ago and we had drinks together, reliving our old times. That was the last time I saw him and now, I will never get to see my friend. It’s an irreparable loss. He’s left a vacuum that Can never be filled. Waking up to the news of Chintu’s demise has shaken me up completely
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As told to Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 1, 2020)

Our friendship lasted 45 years because we were similar in nature — we loved food and drinks, and were brimming with optimism. We grew close during the making of Khel Khel Mein (1975).

Eventually, Jeetendra joined us, and we three became inseparable. We would meet every day after our respective shoots.

Chintu and I did several movies together — Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979), Khel Khel Mein and Aap Ke Deewane (1980), among others. He would never prepare for his shots, and yet, when the camera rolled, he came alive! He was so spontaneous and natural. When we were shooting for Aap Ke Deewane, I asked him how he shone in each take without having prepped for it. With a smile, he said, 'Aise hi yaar, main camera ke saamne bas masti karta hoon…' He was such an integral part of my life that I couldn't imagine my first directorial venture without him. So, I requested Chintu to do a cameo in Khudgarz (1987).

[In 2018], our cancer diagnosis came months apart — his in August, and mine in December. But we both fought with a smile on our face. He was always brave and full of life. When I met him in March before the lockdown, Chintu, Neetu and I reminisced about our good old days.

I spoke to Neetu earlier this week when I learnt he was hospitalised and prayed for his speedy recovery. I woke up this morning to a message from a friend, asking if Rishi Kapoor was all right. When I called Dabboo [Randhir Kapoor], his number was busy. That's when my heart sank and I instinctively knew something was wrong. Then I rang up Ranbir who shared the news. It was so shocking that I started crying on the phone. Instead of me consoling him, Ranbir comforted me. He has been a pillar of strength to his father.

Days after Eros registers Corona Pyaar Hai as a film title, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai director Rakesh Roshan says 'immature' of makers to capitalise on the current scenario
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 17, 2020)

When filmmaker Rakesh Roshan launched son Hrithik in Bollywood with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000), little had he known that two decades down the line, the film's title would be punned on blatantly and rather insensitively. Even as the world is reeling under the pandemic, several production houses in India have rushed to register titles pertaining to Coronavirus — one among them being Corona Pyaar Hai. The title was reportedly registered by Eros International with the Indian Film and Television Producers Council last week.

Roshan, whose directorial venture not only became the highest grosser of 2000 but also gave Bollywood one of its biggest superstars in Hrithik, is appalled at the latest development. "It's a mockery of the situation that the world is combating. It's childish and immature to do such a thing at this time. We should ignore these people as they are not thinking straight," says the director, evidently irked.

It has been heard that with the title in their kitty, the team at Eros is currently developing a script based on the current situation. Ask Roshan if he is contemplating taking legal action against them, and he dismisses the idea. "There is no similarity between the two films. Even with regard to the names, their title Corona Pyaar Hai has a different meaning to it. So, I cannot do anything about it," he shrugs.

Studios rushing to register titles inspired by real-life events is hardly new — last year, soon after the Pulwama terror attack, Bollywood producers thronged the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association to reserve different combinations of titles pertaining to the episode. A trade source says that Eros International probably wanted to have the first-mover advantage in this case. "It has been heard that keeping the sensitivity of the issue in mind, the makers never intended to announce the film. The team had merely applied to register the title. Of course, one wonders why they chose a name that is so similar to Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai?"

Eros remained unavailable for comment.

In his first interview after life's biggest battle, Rakesh Roshan on his ordeal and finding support in his daughter, who also beat cancer
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 18, 2019)

In January, Hrithik Roshan sent shockwaves in the industry when he revealed on social media that his filmmaker father Rakesh Roshan had been diagnosed with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma (throat cancer) and was to undergo surgery later that day. Nine months since, Roshan — though frail — is a picture of calm and positivity, his battle with the Big C behind him.

Opening up for the first time since his diagnosis, the veteran filmmaker tells mid-day that it started last September when he noticed a seemingly harmless blister below his tongue. His first thought — "I hope it isn't cancer." After all, the family had faced the demon in 2014 when his daughter Sunaina beat cervical cancer. "I immediately called my family doctor home. He said it was nothing to worry about and gave me some medicines to treat the blister," he recounts. The chapter was forgotten until three months later when he visited Hinduja Hospital to meet a friend. "On a lark, I headed to the ENT specialist. The first thing he told me was to get a biopsy done. I came home and told my family that though the reports would come in four days, I was 100 per cent sure that I had cancer."

A series of meetings with top oncologists in the city brought his worst fears to life. "They described traumatic procedures [that involved] cutting my tongue and taking part of the skin on my wrist to replace the surface on my tongue. Thankfully, Hrithik got in touch with Dr Jatin P Shah (who holds The Elliott W Strong chair at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre) who told us that nothing of the sort was required. He would make an incision on the neck to remove the node where the cancer had spread."

If coming to terms with the disease was tough, the recovery after the surgery would be a test of his mental and physical strength. However, the filmmaker credits his fit lifestyle for holding him in good stead — two days after his operation at the HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Roshan was home-bound.

"I went to the office the next day," he laughs, adding that he had resolved not to be defeated by the physical exhaustion that the subsequent cycles of chemotherapy brought on. "I had to undergo three cycles of chemo and 45 days of radiation. I became physically weak and would often feel giddy, but I tried to remain mentally strong. I would go to the office because I thought lying down on the bed all day would depress me. That's when negative thoughts come to you. Instead, you work out, meet people and take every day as it comes. There were days when I would get disturbed or have mood swings because of the chemo. Even then, I told myself that this is a part of the recovery."

On March 20, six months since the ordeal began, Roshan completed his treatment. Even as he describes the process as a test of one's endurance — "because it was throat cancer, it was difficult to even drink water post the surgery" — he chooses to maintain an optimistic stance. "The word 'cancer' sounds scary, but it's not. It can be treated. I knew if I harboured negativity, it wouldn't help me recover. So, I never let myself lose hope."

His family was his rock, with daughter Sunaina serving as his source of inspiration. "I got my strength from her. I used to remember how positive she was even though she was [undergoing] chemotherapy and losing her hair. As a family, we have gone through a lot of trauma. Sunaina battled cancer, Hrithik went through brain surgery, I was shot at, and had to get a bypass, my wife Pinky had a heart problem. But we are standing tall and strong, supporting each other."


The director with his family post surgery


Sunaina Roshan and Rakesh Roshan

Rakesh Roshan and Shakti Kapoor (MID-DAY; May 28, 2019)

Rakesh Roshan Remembers Veeru Devgan

We worked together in movies like Khoon Bhari Maang, King Uncle, and Karan Arjun, which were blockbusters. When he was a fighter, Veeru would be my [stunt double]. Then, he became a fight director, and we worked together. We were the best of friends. He was a fine technician.

[Despite not being] well-read, he would surprise me with his suggestions for action sequences. They were overpowering, and he would execute them with a confidence that would baffle me.

Veeru was a thorough gentleman; lovable and among those I'd count as my good friends in Bollywood. Whenever we met, we did so with warmth. It was shocking to hear of his demise. I could not attend his funeral because I wasn't in a state to do so, hence, I left a message for Ajay, and spoke to Kumar Mangat to give my condolences.

Shakti Kapoor Remembers Veeru Devgan

When it comes to fight masters, Veeru paaji was the only superstar in India. People would stand in long queues to get his photograph, and arrive on sets to watch him [in action]. Behind the screen, he was as big a star as Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. He was among the best technicians, and well-versed with the camera. He knew many action tricks, and all the directors in the South would ask him to shoot their scenes.

He taught me many tricks, including how to break and cover a fall. He was the highest paid [fight director], and among the most stylised. He would be given a business class ticket, and would stay in big suites in Chennai and Hyderabad. He had a style of his own. His technical knowledge was great, the kind that other action masters didn't have. He would carry his own whiskey, and pay for his dry-cleaning bills.

He had the best cars, and was a family man. He loved Ajay a lot. When Ajay was not in the film industry yet, he would ask me why he was so shy. He would tell me to talk to him, because I was bindaas. He was a great cook, one who made the best sookha mutton.

As told to Upala KBR

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 8, 2017)

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; January 23, 2017)

Despite their upcoming clash at the box-office clash, Roshan Sr says he’d like to cast the superstar in a two-hero film with son Hrithik
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 17, 2017)

Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees are set to release on January 25. While trade experts claim that the collections of both movies will be hugely impacted due to the box-office clash, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is unfazed.

He says, “Nothing bothers me because whatever is written in my destiny will come to me. However, I wouldn’t have released my film if I’d known that another movie is also releasing on the same day, because I am aware of the blood and sweat the entire cast and crew puts in to make a film.”

Roshan Sr, who has worked with Shah Rukh Khan in films like King Uncle (1993), Karan Arjun (1995) and Koyla (1997), says he has always had a healthy working relationship with the superstar. “I am very fond of Shah Rukh and his wife Gauri. I am really close to his entire family. I remember shooting for Krazzy 4 (2008), in which Hrithik was supposed to do a special number. But he had to back out at the last moment due to a knee injury. When I discussed the problem with Shah Rukh, he immediately agreed to do the song,” says the filmmaker.

He adds that he would love to do a film with SRK again if anything worthy comes up. “Hrithik will also star in my movies. If I ever work on a two-hero film like Karan Arjun, where both the male actors have equal roles, I’ll approach Shah Rukh,” Rakesh signs off.

On his son Hrithik's birthday, Rakesh Roshan goes in flashback mode and talks about the days gone by
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 10, 2017)

Rakesh Roshan is extremely ‘happy and proud’ of his son Hrithik, who turns 43 this year. We caught up with Roshan Sr, to talk about his beta, read on..

Hrithik, the achiever
Right from his childhood, the endearing thing about Duggu is that whatever he wanted to achieve, he would. If he took something up as a challenge, he make it happen.

The brilliant student
He was a brilliant student and focused in his studies. He was an introvert and a quiet kid. He was not a socialising boy at all. He would mostly be at home, playing his games. As a child, he never showed an interest in acting. He was not dancing/acting in front of the mirror. He was very fond of reading. He preferred being indoors after returning from school.

‘Tough childhood’
He was always closer to his mom. I was struggling to make my mark at the time, so I could not spend much time with my children. But I would make sure we went for holidays. I would join them just for about three or four days. Growing up may have been tough for them because I could not give them everything as I couldn’t afford it. But I made sure I brought them up really nicely.

No special treatment
After graduating from college, he was selected to learn special effects abroad. But he chose to be here and started working with me on Karan Arjun. As an assistant director. I was very strict with him. I made sure he would not sit with us for lunches, dinners. He would not travel in my car. Instead, he would travel with the other ADs, in taxis, autos or buses. We would be having breakfast on the same table at home, but on the set, he was not my son, but just another assistant. He would have to share a room with three other people and have food with them. That’s the way I thought he would learn much better. He assisted me on Karan Arjun, Khel, Koyla and then, I launched him in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.

‘I slapped him’
I have hit him once or twice. When he was seven or eight years old. We were staying on the 13th floor of a building. We had a big terrace and I had kept some soda bottles and beer bottles there. The kids were throwing all those bottles down and it could have hurt somebody. I lost my temper and out of anger, I gave him two or three slaps. But then, I realised after an hour that maybe, it was not the right way to deal with the situation. I should have just explained it to him. The other time, I hit him is a funny incident. Hrithik was too fussy about eating. And I would make mashed potatoes and other dishes, expecting him to eat and he wouldn’t. Once I got angry and I toppled the bowl on his head.

Living my dream
He has worked really hard. I failed as an actor. But like any parent, I wanted my son to live my dreams. Hrithik has done the things I could not do in my life. He’s a superstar, he is idolised by so many across the world. But he’s my son and he makes me a proud father. He has had his ups and downs in his career and I feel it should always happen because that’s how he will learn from his mistakes.

He’s too trusting
Hrithik trusts people too easily. But that should be the case, right? You need to trust people to work with them or be friends with them. But at times, he ends up getting hurt, but that’s also a big learning curve for him.

A better dad
Hrithik is a good son, but he’s a better dad. He realises I was not there for him. So whenever he gets time, he’s with the kids. He’s either vacationing with them, going for a movie or just spending time with them. He takes them out on adventure trips. Maybe, it is an extension of what he wanted to do when he was their age. He teaches them to perform magic, and play the piano, and guitar. He takes them exercising and do athletic stuff like flipping and they would do it perfectly.”

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 6, 2017)

Seventeen years ago, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan launched his son, Hrithik Roshan, with Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, and the film, inarguably, turned him into a star overnight. Since then, the director has only made films with his son in the lead and insists that's how it will always be.

"It is impossible for me to visualise a film wihout Hrithik, because I always keep him in mind and write my stories. I also feel people will laugh that I have a superstar at home and I am working with somebody else. The best part of working with him is that if I tell him to be on set at 6 am, he will be there."

Ask him whether the personal relationship ever takes precedence over professionalism, and he says, "Of course, it does. Suppose in a running film, if anything happens to the actor, as a producer it affects you. But as a father, you have all sympathies. A father's emotion is different from a producer's."

As a father, Rakesh is proud of Hrithik's achievements so far. "I can't think of any other actor who has shown so much versatility. I don't think he has ever been afraid of taking on challenges."

Rakesh Roshan explains why the Raees-Kaabil clash couldn’t be averted, why Hrithik moved out of the family home and why he has been on such a long break
Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 3, 2017)

Describe your relationship with Hrithik today? Were you upset when he decided to move out on his own?
My relationship with Hrithik is better now than it was earlier, it’s actually very good. The reason he moved out is because if he stays with me, he cannot call his friends over or throw an impromptu party. He was too conscious of the fact that his father was there in the same house. If I were in his place, I would feel the same way. The only difference now is that he sleeps in his home at night and I sleep in mine.

He knows that we are just one phone call away. And every morning he comes home to spend time with his mother, Pinkie, and me. All of us exercise together and eat breakfast together. Just this morning, I was with him for a few hours in his apartment discussing work.

In 2006, Hrithik was ahead of the Khans with Dhoom 2 and Krrish being blockbusters. How would you say he is placed today in comparison to Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh?
Hrithik made his debut in 2000 with Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. He is a decade younger than the Khans. Yes, like you pointed out, in 2006 he had a couple of blockbusters. But I don’t go by numbers because I feel that all the superstars are on a race track, like galloping horses. Sometimes one horse is ahead of another, sometimes one is lagging behind.

However, unlike the races, there is no winning post in this industry. Here you have to gallop continuously. Sometimes one star retires hurt and gives up, but the race doesn’t end. It’s there for any actor to run till he has the energy in him.

I am very proud of Hrithik because in a span of 16 years, he has done so many different roles which most actors haven’t attempted. Whether it is a mentally-challenged guy of Koi… Mil Gaya or the villain of Dhoom 2, the quadriplegic of Guzaarish or the blind man of Kaabil, he is not afraid of challenges.

He did a double role in his debut film, the two characters being distinctively different. It’s tough to launch an actor in a double role. He has a Jodhaa Akbar as well as the Krrish franchise in which he’s played a superhero with conviction and also Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in a span of just 16 years. And Hrithik has proved his mettle in every film.

You’re just the producer on Kaabil, yet you are so involved. Was it like this with your earlier productions too?
I have always been a hands-on producer, completely involved with the day-to-day work, even if I am not directing it. I was like that with Krazzy 4 and Kites too.

With Kites I had to back out after a point because the director wasn’t very organised and his assistants wouldn’t keep me in the loop on many occasions. Once, in New Mexico, I paid token money for four locations because I didn’t know where Anurag Basu would shoot. That was slightly disturbing. Also, they would do exactly the opposite of what I advised. Having started the film, I didn’t wish to make a fuss, so I decided to stay out. But deep down I felt that the film wouldn’t work. I had told Hrithik as much well before the release.

Has Kaabil been a good experience?
Good is an understatement, it’s been a pleasurable experience. My director, Sanjay Gupta, and I got along well from day one. I used his technique, he used my experience and emotions. It was a good marriage!

I give my directors everything on a platter, there is no restriction. But I will not tolerate wastage. Sanjay and I often collaborated on the screenplay and dialogues. If I found a scene lacking in emotion, I’d request him to up the EQ. He’s done a better job with Kaabil than I’d have.

Everyday, he’d send me the footage he’d shot and I’d go to the editing room first to see it. When I was happy I’d send him a thumbs up, otherwise I’d suggest minor changes. Sanjay’s technical finesse and my inputs to the emotional scenes, worked well. I have given him A-list technicians like cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee (Bajirao Mastani), editor Akiv Ali (The Dirty Picture) and the Academy Award-winning sound-engineer, Resul Pookutty.

What is your take on the Raees- Kaabil clash?
I am neither angry nor hurt with Shah Rukh Khan, Ritesh Sidhwani or Farhan Akhtar. To quote a line from The Godfather, “It is strictly business, not personal.’’

What is baffling is that SRK, Farhan and Ritesh came to meet me twice to discuss the release date and I explained to them that the box office window open to us collectively is approximately Rs 300 crore. They agreed, then went and announced that they are coming on the Republic Day Weekend of 2017.

Once SRK suggested to me that I should shift my date. I told him I couldn’t because I am superstitious. During King Uncle, I had pushed the release earlier by four weeks because of my daughter Sunaina’s wedding and the film flopped. After that I have never shifted the original date.

Even during Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai in January 2000, Aamir Khan’s Mela opened a week before our film and Shah Rukh’s Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani released a week later while Anil Kapoor’s Pukar was scheduled for two weeks later. Many of my distributors advised me not to come out on January 14 with Aamir on one side and Shah Rukh on the other. But I refused to change the date even though three distributors opted out two weeks prior to the release. They told me I was committing hara-kiri. I released the film myself in these territories and even mortgaged my house. God was kind, the film was successful!

I explained this to SRK and pointed out to him that if I didn’t shift the release then when my son was still a debutant and there was so much at stake, I wouldn’t now. I told them to move Raees two weeks ahead or release it two weeks before. They hadn’t even announced their date at that point. But now that they have decided to come on the same date as us, it is fine. Both the films together will do a business of Rs 300 crore. What is my destiny will not change!

Incidentally, Shah Rukh and I have a long relationship. He gave his first shot for a song in King Uncle in Nairobi. We later worked together as filmmaker and actor in Karan Arjun and Koyla. And years later, his company did the VFX for Krrish.

Is there any strategy to combat the clash?
I will give my film an organic release. Just because there is a clash, I will not up the ante as far as marketing goes. There is no heroism in Kaabil and no catch-phrases. It is the story of a blind man taking revenge. That makes him a superhero, that makes his story hair-raising!

Why do you take such long breaks between films?
I’m a filmmaker, not a manufacturer. Till I get a subject that challenges me, I will not make it. If I am making a film with Hrithik, I have to do something new. I cannot make the same kind of movies with him, over and over again.

In the last three years, I have heard 2000 scripts. But I still haven’t found anything to challenge me. I have only found something with a triple role for Hrithik but I have not been able to crack the script post interval. The moment I do that, I will set the ball rolling. And then there is Krrish 4 which I’m also working on.

Kaabil to open on an (Thursday, 6 pm) in theatres; Raees makers now slot themselves in morning shows of same day; producer Rakesh Roshan slams the move
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 8, 2016)

Last week, Rakesh Roshan decided to move forward the release of Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil to January 25 (6 pm onwards) instead of January 26 when it would have clashed with Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees at the box office. Yesterday, Raees makers went a step ahead by declaring that the crime drama would also hit screens a day earlier. What’s more, they have decided to book screens from the morning itself.

SRK and co’s decision has left Roshan Sr fuming. He said, “I belong to the old school of filmmaking, and would never release my film on a day when another filmmaker has already announced their film. It is completely unethical. I want to see the progress of the film industry. By doing such things, they are destroying the film industry.” Commenting on the impending clash, Shah Rukh, who launched the film’s trailer on Wednesday, said, “We had discussed this a long time ago with our exhibitors and distributors. We will open with regular shows [morning onwards] and Kaabil will open in the evening. This is a logical decision because January 26 is a holiday. We had decided to reveal the release date only at the trailer launch.”

Explaining the reason behind releasing the film on Republic Day initially, Roshan said, “When I announced the film in February 2016, I saw a clean window in January and so, picked January 26. My film is ready since August and I could have easily released my film with Befikre or even with Dangal if I wanted a clash. I am not saying a particular date belongs to me, but some ethics need to be maintained.”

The veteran filmmaker also feels that release of two films on the same day will dent box office collections. “According to my estimates, the box office is worth Rs 300 crore. That figure has been touched only by Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. Kaabil and Raaes have a good pre-release buzz and both could have done very good business if they had a solo release. But, neither will achieve its box office targets now. In the process, exhibitors and distributors will also lose money,” Roshan argued.

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan on son Hrithik, the debacle of 'Mohenjo Daro' and bringing back India's most successful super-hero franchise with 'Krrish 4'
MID-DAY (September 20, 2016)

You took many by surprise by announcing 'Krrish 4'.
It was on my mind. And when my wife (Pinky) showed me a Ganpati idol as superhero Krissh, I felt it was an auspicious moment to announce it; people still believe in Krrish's power, even after so many years.

Several Hollywood films deal with superheroes. Can Krrish match up?
We can't match their scale and budget. But Krrish will strike an emotional chord with the audience. That's what ultimately matters. Their films may be technically brilliant, but don't touch the soul.

You decided to avert Krissh 4 clashing with Aanand L Rai's Shah Rukh Khan-starrer for X'mas, 2018, yet are sticking to the Republic Day 2017 clash with SRK's 'Raees'.
That's because I wasn't aware (of Aanand L Rai's SRK-starrer's release date). As soon as I was told, I decided to avert the clash. I have just announced Krrish and am yet to begin work. I announced 'Kaabil' first, so I am sticking to it. I am superstitious. I moved the release date of 'King Uncle' (1993) due to a family wedding. The film didn't do well. Ever since, I believe that if I change the date, things may not work out. Even during 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', I was told to do a rethink. There were big films lined up before and after, I stuck to the date.

But box-office clashes prove to be a deterrent in raking in the moolah.
Yes, they eat into each other's profits. But the good film does well. Kaabil is the love story of a visually impaired boy and girl. It is set in Mumbai. You'll see director Sanjay Gupta in a new light. He has done better than I had expected.

Then why not budge, rather than clash?
It becomes an ego issue and then no one wants to budge.

As a father, what would you say about Hrithik's recent share of controversies?
I know the truth, and Hrithik is right.


Do you feel the negativity around 'Mohenjo Daro' sealed the film's fate?
Though director Ashutosh Gowariker had a vision, what did not work were the last 20 minutes of the film. The VFX failed it, things appeared tacky. The last few reels of a film always stays in the audience's mind, and that's where the film did not work.

Most industry folk showed support to Akshay's Rustom, which clashed with Mohenjo Daro. Do you think Hrithik was sidelined because of his personal turmoil?
What happens in an actor's personal life doesn't impact a film. A good film will do well. Rustom was a good film. In the industry, anyone can side with anyone. Every family has their share of ups and downs, but as we are part of the industry, our turmoil gets highlighted. I know my son, and he has done no wrong. I stand by him.

There has been recent buzz about turmoil in your personal life too and your leanings towards a life coach and gurus.
We are a close-knit family and I can tell you how to stay married for over four decades. I do not need anyone to tell me about it!