Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan recently took to Instagram to share nostalgic photos from the sets of the iconic 1995 film Karan Arjun, where he worked as an Assistant Director under his father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan. The images showcase a young Hrithik alongside Bollywood legends Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, the film’s lead actors. In his post, Hrithik reminisced about his experiences working on the movie, which has now become a cult classic in Indian cinema.
Reflecting on his role as an AD, Hrithik shared the memories with his fans, writing, “The Karan Arjun experience. Ha, I look like a young Kabir with Karan and Arjun.” The actor also revealed the behind-the-scenes challenges they faced, such as a disappointing screening of the film’s print on its release day. “Me and dad’s other assistant Anurag (seen in the second picture) screened the print before the release, and we were all incredibly disappointed. The print looked dark and dull. We got the entire screen washed, and as the dirt and grime dissolved into the large washcloth, we heard the manager say, ‘आज १५ सालों के बाद यह स्क्रीन धुली है (The screen was washed for the first time in 25 years),’” Hrithik recalled.
Adding to the fun anecdotes, Hrithik shared a story about an adventurous night with Shah Rukh and Salman during the filming of the song Bhangra Paale. “One late night, a more than merry team of Shahrukh and Salman decided to leave Sariska by car and drive to Delhi, promising to be back by morning. I was flabbergasted and jumped (literally) on the bonnet of the car to stop them. The call time was 6 am, and I had to make sure my dad didn’t lose the day. He didn’t,” he said with a laugh.
For a 17-year-old Hrithik, watching Salman and Shah Rukh act during the filming of Karan Arjun was a valuable learning experience. “Watching Salman and Shahrukh act was a huge learning for me as a 17-year-old. Best on-set practical acting school ever,” Hrithik remarked. His role as an assistant director during this time not only helped him gain insights into the filmmaking process but also strengthened his bond with the two stars who would go on to become part of Bollywood’s biggest names.
Hrithik’s throwback post comes just ahead of the 30th anniversary of Karan Arjun, which has been re-released in theaters on November 22, 2024. Hrithik’s father, Rakesh Roshan, had re-released the film in celebration of its milestone anniversary, giving fans a chance to relive the magic of the film on the big screen.
Rakesh Roshan, in a recent interview, also spoke about Hrithik’s involvement in his films, saying that his son had always assisted him on every project. “Hrithik, who was 17 at the time, was a part of every story narration. That’s how he has learned, and even today, he is the best person to bounce ideas across. I tell him impossible stories that would otherwise not work, but he gets what I am thinking. He understands that the story will connect with the masses, from Jhumri Telaiya to someone sitting in LA,” he said.
As Hrithik continues to be one of the most successful and versatile actors in Bollywood, his early days on the sets of Karan Arjun serve as a reminder of how far he has come in his career—both as an actor and as a creative force behind the scenes.
Sources By Agencies
