Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL: Actress Sonali Kulkarni has reflected on Hrithik Roshan's remarkable journey from a newcomer to one of Bollywood's biggest stars, recalling the time they worked together in Mission Kashmir. In a recent interview with Screen Spotlight, Sonali, who portrayed Hrithik's mother in the film, said that during the early days of his career, he was a sincere, disciplined and grounded actor with an unwavering commitment to his work. She added that it was only after the release of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai that she witnessed the extraordinary rise of his stardom.

Recalling their first meeting, Sonali said Hrithik greeted her warmly during the auditions for Mission Kashmir, when both were striving to establish themselves in the industry. She remembered him as someone who carried no airs of a celebrity and was simply focused on delivering his best performance.

According to Sonali, while filming Mission Kashmir in Srinagar, she had no idea that Hrithik was on the verge of becoming a nationwide sensation. She realised the scale of his popularity only after Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai became a blockbuster. The first sign, she recalled, was seeing a massive poster of Hrithik dominating Mumbai's Marine Drive. Later, while shooting in Mumbai, she watched thousands of fans gather just to catch a glimpse of the actor, with security personnel and bouncers deployed to control the crowds.

She also remembered an incident during the 2001 IIFA Awards in Sun City, South Africa, when Hrithik and the Roshan family were surrounded by an overwhelming number of fans while dining at a restaurant. Despite the immense fame and attention, Sonali said Hrithik remained humble, respectful and completely committed to his craft, always following the director's guidance without hesitation.

Speaking about her own association with Mission Kashmir, Sonali revealed that she was selected for the film after several actresses declined the role. Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra was looking for a fresh face and cast her through auditions. Although she was then playing lead roles in Marathi cinema, she accepted the opportunity to portray Hrithik Roshan's mother because she was impressed by the script, the director's vision and the talented team behind the project.

Looking back, Sonali described Mission Kashmir as one of the most defining films of her career. She said the project gave her a deeper understanding of the lives of people in Kashmir while also offering a fresh perspective on patriotism and humanity. Praising Vidhu Vinod Chopra's sensitive storytelling, she called the experience one of the most cherished memories of her acting journey.