All of us are specially-abled: Hrithik Roshan

Actor Hrithik Roshan speaks about why he doesn’t find it tough to portray a differently-abled person on screen, and how he prepared to take up the character of a visually impaired man in his upcoming film, Kabil

Actor Hrithik Roshan’s upcoming film Kaabil, will see him portray the role a specially abled person for the third time in his career after Koi Mil Gaya (2003) and Guzaarish (2010). The 42-year-old actor finds it challenging and talks to us about the preparation for his role in the next film. Excerpts from the interview:

Yami Gautam and Hrithik Roshan play blind lovebirds in Kaabil.

What preparations did you make to play visually impaired?
Half the prep is complete if the script impacts you emotionally. Other than that all one can do is amass as much information and awareness. Which I did by meeting, chatting, discussing with some of my visually impaired friends. They are amazing guys.

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This is your second film where you play a specially-abled man?

My third film, actually. If you count my dad’s Koi Mil Gaya and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish.

Is it difficult to essay such a part?

I feel we all are specially-abled because we all have some defect or handicap and we all strive for normalcy in some form. Which is why I am able to identify with such characters on screen. Portraying such characters is such an amazing way to feel empowered and in doing so empower others to feel that they are capable in spite of their shortcomings

Which was more difficult to portray the blind man in Kaabil or the paraplegic in Guzaarish?

Neither.Both were among my easiest parts because I was equally passionate about both. Difficulty arises only when you have to hunt for the inspiration because the script is lacking it.

Both you and Yami play visually impaired people. Does that limit the interactive space?

Surprisingly, it enhanced our interaction because we both had to focus on each other’s presence as opposed to taking each other’s presence for granted when we look into each other’s eyes. It was magical

How tough was it devising action for a blind man?

Very. But I don’t want to talk about that , maybe once people see the action it would be a better time to talk about how we managed it!