When the Hrithik Mania began…

Note: Old article first published on 17th September 2006, updated and republished on the 14th anniversary of Kaho Naa.. Pyaar Hai.

Exactly 14 years ago on this day, a new superstar was born. He took the nation by storm. The storm was named Hrithik Mania. The craze was unbelievable.

Here are a few facts of the historic movie Kaho Naa.. Pyar Hai.. which catapulted Hrithik Roshan to Super Stardom.

• After the movie was released in January 2000, New Zealand became one of the most popular tourist destination for Indians. The number of applications for visas and permits for Indian students and tourists went up so much that the visa office had to be enlarged to the tune of US$500,000. Officials say the sudden rise was caused by the “Hrithik factor.”
• Hrithik met his wife (Sussanne Khan) for the first time exactly the same way Rohit meets Sonia in the film, at a traffic signal.
• It was the biggest Indian hit film of 2000, which turned the film’s lead star Hrithik Roshan (in his debut performance) into a superstar overnight and the craze of the nation.
• Kareena Kapoor was first cast to play the role of Sonia, she walked out of the film a few days after the shoot started. Kareena was then replaced with newcomer Ameesha Patel who became a star overnight when the film became a box office blockbuster.
• Ameesha Patel’s parents originally told her that she wasn’t allowed to do the film.
• Hrithik Roshan used weight training to bulk up for his role. He was trained under the supervision of actor Salman Khan.
• Has the record for winning most awards on all award ceremonies including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Music, Best Actor, Best Newcomers.
• Pop singer turned actor Lucky Ali’s first debut for singing in a movie.
• Coca-Cola was advertised throughout the film indirectly. After the movie became a smash hit the cola brand signed Hrithik Roshan as their new brand ambassador.
• Hrithik Roshan has 6 fingers in his right hand. When he played Raj he tried to cover his 6th finger in every scene by using hand gloves and playing the character as left handed.
• Due to the huge success of the movie Rakesh Roshan was targeted by the Mafia. For the foreign distribution rights of the film Rakesh Roshan was shot by the Mumbai underworld but survived.
• Director Trademark: Rakesh Roshan’s movie title begins with the letter K. E.g Krrish, Koi Mil Gaya, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
• It was Hrithik’s idea to give spectacles / eyeglass for Raj’s character with a clean shaved persona. But Rakesh Roshan was against that, he wanted Raj and Rohit appearance to be exactly the same.
• Actress who played Raj’s mother Asha Patel in the movie was the real life mother of Amisha Patel.
• Before Hrithik started his acting career he was an assistant director under his father Rakesh Roshan. When Hrithik decided to portray the two characters with different physique he phoned Salman and was not sure whether he would remember him. But Salman recognised him, trained him and gave him quite a few important body building tips.
• During the first few days of the filming for Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.. Hrithik was shy and confused while performing his dance steps. Choreographer Farah Khan gave him moral support  and he improved terrifically.
• Rakesh Roshan had Shahrukh Khan in mind while scripting KNPH, but he couldn’t create a good enough ending to the film. Hrithik then told his dad that he has done enough movies with the Khans, and should pick somebody new. It was then that Roshan Sr decided it was time to launch his son. The duo have now worked in 4 films – KNPH, Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish and Krrish 3 – every film has gone on to break box office records.