Signed Mohenjo Daro only when script reduced from 200 to 80 pages: Hrithik

Actor Hrithik Roshan says that he was happy about Mohenjo Daro director Ashutosh Gowariker choosing him for the film but agreed to do it only when the script came down from 200 to 80 pages.

At a press conference for the film, Hrithik, asked about his first thoughts on being approached for the film, said: “First thought was that Ashutosh is my friend, first thought was that he gave me a film like Akbar (Jodhaa Akbar), my first thought was of immense joy that he is considering me for another film.

“After that I looked at the script, you don’t want to know my second thought. But I still said, ‘no, he is my friend’, so I read the script. I loved the story but I waited till that script from 200 pages went down to 80 pages and then we shook hands and said ‘Let’s do this’.’ Ashutosh is known for his lengthy movies, most of which have been more than three hours in running time. Hrithik added, “The day it came down from 81 to 80, he has flown to Delhi to meet me, ‘Hrithik, I have done it’. And we signed the film there and then.”

Hrithik’s last film Bang Bang! released in 2014. Asked about his almost two year absence, he said “I wish that 80 pages should have been 30 pages, so I would have met you all (media) some more times, may be two of my more films would have come out, but unfortunately or fortunately our vision was humongous, our vision was out of this world and it has taken its journey.

“Every film has its destiny, I have mine. Hopefully in my destiny, in the future, I know I have said it a lot of times, but I will do it and show you now, more films, give me one more year.” Hrithik’s next film after Mohenjo Daro will be Kaabil directed by Sanjay Gupta.When asked about on the prospective clash between Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees at the box office next year, the actor evaded a direct reply.He said, “We have spoken. We are actors and we should leave all this (clash) for producers (to discuss)”. Kaabil, directed by Sanjay Gupta, stars Hrithik and Yami Gautam in the lead.

Hrithik Roshan, who is embroiled in a legal battle with actor Kangana Ranaut, says he is not looking for support from within the industry as “when truth is on your side you don’t need support”. Hrithik says he will speak up about the issue but only when the time is right, adding that “patience is the mother of all virtues”. Asked why he didn’t get any support from the film industry unlike Kangana in their tussle, he said “When truth is on your side you don’t need support.”

The two, who were apparently dating in the past, slapped a legal notice against each other for tarnishing their images in the public. Issues began when Kangana hinted at Hrithik being her “ex” when she said in an interview that she fails to understand “why exes do silly things to get your attention”. 

The topic in discussion was Hrithik’s hand in getting Kangana replaced in the project by  actor Sonam Kapoor in Aashiqui 3.