25 May,2009 07:57 AM IST | | Tushar Joshi
Macho takes a beating this year, as heroes across the board are playing either disabled or differently abled individuals in upcoming flicks, redefining the male lead's growing desire to do something that's starkly different.
So if Shah Rukh's character Rizwan Khan in My Name Is Khan suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, Hrithik Roshan is all set to play a paraplegic patient in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish which has Aishwarya Rai as his co-star.
The film bears similarities to John Badham's Whose Life Is It Anyway? and will see Hrithik in a wheelchair for most of the scenes. The film also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opposite the actor.
A source reveals, "Hrithik plays Ethan, a radio show host. Aishwarya plays a married nurse who is also Hrithik's caregiver. The film also deals with the controversial subject of mercy killing/euthanasia. Ash's character is interesting because she plays a married woman who gets attracted to Hrithik as the second half progresses. The film has dark tones throughout."
This will be the first time Hrithik will be seen in a serious role. "The film will totally change Duggu's image in the eyes of his audience. He is currentlyu00a0 researching for the character and has had several meetings with Bhansali after the narration."
What is paraplegia?
Paraplegia is an impairment in motor and/or sensory function of the lower extremities. It is usually the result of spinal cord injury or a congenital condition such as spina bifida. The area of the spinal canal which is affected in paraplegia is either the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions.
