With nine Filmfare awards under its belt, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai etched its name in Bollywood history as the second-highest Filmfare award winner, following Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge with its ten trophies. For filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, the triumph was deeply personal. Despite his earlier films winning accolades, none had recognized him as a director until this iconic film.
Reflecting on the success, Rakesh Roshan shared, “When a film is both rewarded and commercially successful, it’s an unparalleled feeling. Many films perform brilliantly at the box office but fail to win awards, and some award-winning films don’t perform well commercially. But Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai achieved both. To be honest, I never expected it to win so many awards. What made it even more special was that three members of our family—my brother Rajesh, my son Hrithik, and I—were all recognized for the same project. That’s quite unprecedented.”
Unlike typical Bollywood double-role films, which often pit a good protagonist against a bad one, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai stood out for its innovative storytelling. The two Hrithik characters, though distinct, were never seen together. Instead, the second character emerged only after the first had met a tragic end. “This wasn’t your usual double role,” Rakesh Roshan explained. “The two characters were decent individuals with contrasting outlooks on life, forming a complete whole. Ameesha Patel’s character gradually falls in love with the man who resembles her deceased boyfriend, despite being unable to let go of her first love. It’s this emotional crisis that formed the heart of the story.”
The decision to cast Hrithik Roshan in the lead role came spontaneously. “The morning I conceived the story, Hrithik was sitting beside me. Since the script required a fresh face, we decided on him right then,” Rakesh revealed. He also debunked rumours about Shah Rukh Khan being considered for the role, clarifying, “Shah Rukh was never in the running for Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. He was being considered for a different film I was planning at the time. If that project had materialized, Hrithik’s debut would have been delayed by a couple of years. It was all fate.”
The film’s blockbuster status, however, came with its share of challenges. Soon after its release, Rakesh Roshan faced life-threatening pressure from the underworld. “They wanted Hrithik to do a film for them, but I kept putting them off, explaining that Hrithik’s schedule was packed, which was true. They even demanded I cancel other producers’ commitments to accommodate them. I refused to bow down to their arm-twisting tactics. The tension and fear we endured during that time made it impossible to think creatively, let alone make a film,” he recounted.
Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai not only introduced Bollywood to a future superstar in Hrithik Roshan but also established Rakesh Roshan as a visionary director. The film’s blend of romance, drama, and innovative storytelling continues to resonate with audiences, cementing its place as a timeless classic in Indian cinema.
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