Actor Hrithik Roshan made a blockbuster Bollywood debut 19 years ago with "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai", and since then he has been featured in several films that ran the gamut of genres from love story to patriotism.
His movies like "Fiza", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", "Koi Mil Gaya", "Dhoom 2" and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" turned out to be hits though he failed to impress with a string of projects such as "Yaadien", "Na Tum Jaano Na Hum", "Lakshaya", "Kites" and "Mohenjo Daro".
Time and again, however, Hrithik has tried to prove his versatility as an artiste and, according to him, it was "failure" which helped him scale greater heights.
"Today, when I look back, it feels like I have come a long way. There have been successes and there have been failures but most important are the lessons I learnt from my failures. My failures have made me who I am today and now my choices come from a place of having learnt from those failures," Hrithik told IANS.
Talking about his film choices, the 45-year-old star, who is currently being lauded for his performance in his latest release "Super 30", says he looks for "entertaining scripts" while signing the projects irrespective of genre.
"Honestly, I did not come on board for 'Super 30' because of the social message. I did it because it's a great script. My father always says that if you want to give a message to the society, you make a documentary, don't make films. If you make a film, it has to be entertaining. I am not going to do a film only because it is a biopic on a great man. I am going to do a film if it's an entertaining script, that's it! Those are the kind of stories I am looking forward to," he said.
With "Super 30", Hrithik continues maintaining his charm at the box-office. The film raked in over Rs 146 cr in India.
Bollywood's Greek God, however, claims that does not give much heed to box-office numbers.
"Box office numbers do hold some level of importance as it is a direct indication of people watching your film, but I don't choose my scripts keeping in mind whether or not it will cross Rs 100 crore or not. It is important that the film connects with the masses and entertains them. Crossing the 100 crore-mark is only the cherry on top of the cake."
For Hrithik, it is experimentation that matters the most.
"I have always tried experimenting with characters I play. Whether it is Rohit in 'Koi Mil Gaya', Rohan in 'Kaabil', Ethan in 'Guzaarish' or Anand Kumar in 'Super 30'. I have been drawn to different characters. I feel more encouraged and empowered as an actor now. I am thoroughly enjoying the process. I have to work hard to achieve what I want to, even today. There is a constant effort from my side to become better at what I do and to deliver what is expected out of me," he added.
After portraying a de-glam look in the biopic of Patna based maths teacher Anand Kumar in "Super 30", Hrithik will be seen in an high-octane action avatar in "War", which is scheduled to release in October.
(Simran Sethi can be contacted at [email protected])