Rakesh Roshan: Sketches of Jadoo were ready overnight

A still from Koi Mil Gaya

In August 2003 when Koi Mil Gaya was on the brink of release, if someone had told Rakesh Roshan that he would be taking this story forward over the next two decades, he would've laughed it off. As the movie is set to clock 20 years on August 8, the filmmaker is surprised to see how it became the foundation for one of Bollywood's most-loved franchises. He reveals that he had conceived of the sci-fi movie with a singular aim - to further highlight son Hrithik Roshan's acting skills after the success of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000).

"I was concerned about how I could show Hrithik's talent as an actor, after showing him in a double role in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. After Hrithik liked the concept of Koi Mil Gaya, I started writing it," recounts the senior filmmaker. The writing process went off smoothly with Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt, Rakesh and his team locking themselves in a Khandala hotel and completing the script in 10 days.

Rakesh Roshan

It was the creation of Jadoo - the friendly alien who helps Hrithik's character and gifts him his superpowers - that was challenging. The filmmaker travelled to Australia to give shape to the alien that he had envisioned. "The technicians in Australia make animatronics for Hollywood films. When I visited the first studio, the owner wanted to discuss the money first. I left the meeting as I knew this man wouldn't be able to do it; he had no emotions. I went to another studio [Bimmini Special Effects and Design Studio] where the husband and wife listened to my story intently. They had the sketches of Jadoo ready overnight. The sketches were exactly what I had in mind."

The sci-fi offering, also starring Rekha and Preity Zinta, was made for Hrithik at a critical juncture in his career. After his smashing debut, the actor had delivered a string of flops. Rakesh remembers how his actor-son immersed himself in the role, knowing this was the chance to prove that he wasn't a flash in the pan. "Eight of his films hadn't worked at the time, and the media had started writing him off as a one-film wonder."

Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in Koi Mil Gaya

Here I was making a movie where he plays a mentally-challenged boy. A week prior to the shoot, Hrithik locked himself up in a hotel and came straight to the shoot. When he gave the first shot, I knew that Hrithik had understood his character to the core," reminisces Rakesh.

Even after the wide success of Koi Mil Gaya, Rakesh hadn't considered building a franchise out of it. The thought, he says, came to him a few months later while watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy. "After I saw The Lord of the Rings, I thought if they have made three films with the same characters, why can't I make it with Jadoo? I thought, what if he gave his powers to Rohit's [Hrithik's character] son? With those powers, I can make him a superhero."

Thus was born Hindi cinema's favourite superhero, Krrish, around whom revolved the next two instalments. Over the past few years, there has been much chatter about Krrish 4, with the director stating that it will roll in 2024. Asked about the fourth instalment, Rakesh clams up, only stating, "All I can say is that Krrish 4 is a continuation of Krrish 3, with the story moving forward from where it ended."