EXCLUSIVE | Hrithik Roshan: Birthdays used to be fun, then became a chore, now an opportunity

Hrithik Roshan, who turns 49 on January 10, gets talking to us about his birthday plans, the north vs south debate and his intense prep process.

Peace, happiness, contentment- Hrithik Roshan has place only for these in his life currently. And age is definitely just a number for the actor, who is busy with his next film, Fighter. Turning 49 today, he is more vocal than ever about the man behind the star the world recognises. Excerpts from a chat:

Actor Hrithik Roshan turns 49 on January 10.

Any special plans for today? Do birthdays still excite you?

I used to see it as a fun day but then somewhere along the way it started becoming a chore, a duty, must celebrate, must party, birthdays came with a slight sense of discomfort. But today I see it as an opportunity to spend time doing things that would fulfil me. I may still do the exact same things, but now it’s out of my own desire and sense of fulfilment rather than a self imposed mandate.

People say 49 years old, but it’s 49 years wiser, isn’t it? What’s been the biggest life learning?

That peace is not the pinnacle that one should aspire to reach, it is not high up there at the top of the pyramid which we hope to reach someday after all the work is done. Or hope to reach it at the end of the day’s work. It is in fact the very base and foundation of every thing and every action in every moment. We need to start at peace. The very state of being at the beginning should be peace. That’s the practice now.

A North vs south debate has been raging on especially since 2022. As a pan India star, what’s your take on this?

I have always seen myself be a part of the Indian film industry, that is a part of the larger global community striving to entertain. I’d take no part in any debate that says otherwise.

A celeb of your stature has the power to influence millions. You recently got vocal about how the physical transformation for War took a toll on you even mentally. How can younger people out there come out stronger from such a situation?

It wasn’t the transformation, that part is hard work which I enjoy, it was the heady approach to the movie right till the release. I wasn’t ready for a film like War, where the characters Kabir and Khalid were supposed to go head to head in an all out action movie. I just wasn’t ready. Doing films like Super 30 and Kaabil had made me lazy I guess. I literally broke parts of me trying to achieve the vision of Kabir in my head. And when the applause and incredible success came, it failed to fill me up. People thought I was that guy on screen while the human I am, the sacrifices, the broken pieces went completely unseen. Surprisingly, it left me empty, that’s when I knew I was on the cusp of something extremely important for my self growth. It was a cathartic time. I went into a shell for months nursing my physical and mental self back to health. And swore I would do it right the next time around. Problem is, my vision is greater than I can ever be. I’m constantly playing catch up with it. It’s time to reconcile.

What’s your new year resolution?

To be more social. It’s funny how I am actually a very social human but can’t manage to take out the time! And to take more classes as a student. To grow better.