It was 25 years ago on January 14, 2000 when Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai released on the big screen. Even without social media back then, the young actor, a debutant, Hrithik Roshan became viral. He became an overnight sensation. He played a double role in his very first film, one Rohit Kumar- the simple boy next door who plays the guitar and sings from the heart and Raj Chopra- who croons like a rockstar and dances like a dream. Both the characters he played received equal love and he proved with his very first film what he is capable of.

He was no one film wonder. He was the quintessential Bollywood star. Over the years, with his consistent performances in films across genres and one interesting character after another, Hrithik has solidified his position as one of the most versatile actors that Indian cinema has. And today, on his 51st birthday (January 10) his debut film has re-released in theatres. While his fans are excited to watch the film and witness him groove again to Pyaar Ki Kashti Mein and Ek Pal Ka Jeena, the actor is feeling worried.

Talking at the trailer launch event of the Netflix documentary The Roshans, Hrithik said, “I am just worried that people will now go to watch the film again after 25 years and think, ‘Hum kya socha rahe the… kyun pasand aai thi yeh film’?”

Talking to a few of us at the pre-birthday bash and celebration of his 25 years in the industry earlier this week, he also revealed his own reaction when he saw the film once again a few months ago. “When I saw it a few months ago I felt, kuch aisa khaas nahin hai. Acting, story, everything was so average. Then why?,” he wondered about the love and recognition he got for the film.

Hrithik also recalled the time his sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan watched the film and they made fun of their dad holding the guitar all wrong. The two kids sing and play musical instruments as well. After all, they have music in their genes, gifted to them by their great grandfather Roshan Lal Nagrath.

While we celebrate 25 years of Hrithik Roshan, one very interesting aspect that The Roshans documentary explores is how Hrithik Roshan became an actor. He worked as a child actor and also worked with his father as an assistant director on a few films. But his filmmaker father was never convinced that Hrithik could act. His reasoning was that Hrithik was a shy, quiet person, sitting alone somewhere in the background. But he proved his dad wrong as he took the world by surprise.

We wish Hrithik Roshan a great 51st birthday and a wonderful year at the movies. While his Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai plays in theatres, he has the documentary The Roshans, about the journey and struggles of the three generations of the Roshans, releasing on Netflix on January 17. He has YRF’s spy action thriller War 2 in August 2025 and a cameo in Alpha on Christmas 2025. He will also go on floors with his superhero franchise Krrish 4 this summer.

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