Choreographer Geeta Kapur has recalled Hrithik Roshan’s remarkable preparation and attitude during the making of his debut film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, saying his willingness to learn and flawless execution made it difficult for the team to believe he was a newcomer.
Kapur, who is currently associated with the dance reality show India’s Best Dancer, said she had the opportunity to assist on every song in Hrithik’s debut film, which was shot in late 1999.
Recalling her first impressions of the actor, she said Hrithik arrived on set after doing extensive homework and was receptive to inputs from both the director and choreographer.
“Before he came on the set and started shooting, he had done so much homework, so much study, and had learnt so much about how he needed to dance. He had such an open mind and was so willing to listen to the choreographer and the director,” Geeta said.
She was particularly impressed by how Hrithik handled the contrasting sides of his character — a soft and restrained boy in the first half and a confident, charismatic dancer in the second.
“I was shocked. Like, yeh kaise kar leta hai yaar? Naya hai, kuch toh khamiyan ho, kuch toh galtiyan ho. For me, he was perfect, har take mein perfect,” she recalled.
Geeta said Hrithik’s debut also changed her understanding of what a dancing hero could bring to the screen. Before him, she said, Govinda was the primary reference point for a dancing hero in Hindi cinema.
“I have seen an artist, a boy, who defined a good dancer on screen. Actor bhi achha, dancing bhi. Jaise usse pehle humare liye reference point pe sirf Govinda ji the, jo dancing hero the. Uske baad Hrithik Roshan ka ek daur aaya,” she said.
She also remembered teaching Hrithik the iconic hook step from Ek Pal Ka Jeena. According to Geeta, while many have attempted the step over the years, Hrithik’s natural flexibility and body movement gave his performance a distinctive quality.
“Hazaar log karte hain woh ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’ ka hook step, maine kisi aur ko unki tarah karte hue nahi dekha hai,” she said.
Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, directed, written and produced by Rakesh Roshan, released in January 2000 and also marked Ameesha Patel’s acting debut. The film turned Hrithik into an overnight sensation, with his acting, dancing, looks and screen presence becoming major talking points.
Hrithik subsequently headlined films including Koi… Mil Gaya, Dhoom 2, Jodhaa Akbar, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Agneepath, Krrish 3 and War, establishing himself as both an actor and dancer.
