From Stardom to Struggle: Hrithik’s Turbulent Afterglow of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai

Ameesha Patel recalls her co-star’s emotional low after the debut blast, how she lifted him amid his slump, and his inevitable cinematic comeback

When Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai burst onto screens in January 2000, directed by Rakesh Roshan, it wasn’t just a blockbuster—it was a phenomenon that propelled its stars, Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel, into meteoric fame.

In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Ameesha Patel reflected on the aftermath of their debut glory. She revealed how Hrithik, who went from being “the most powerful man in India after the Prime Minister” one week, found himself facing rejection the next—his subsequent films weren’t connecting with audiences.

As other actors around him celebrated hits, Hrithik was grappling with failures. Ameesha recounted a poignant moment:

“But Ameesha, you scored a hit with Gadar, and I’m giving flops…”

Those words revealed the vulnerability hidden beneath his superstar persona. She recalled seeing him deeply affected: “He used to be very disturbed… The downfall hits harder when your first film is such a huge success.” Yet through this dark patch, she never wavered in her confidence in him: “Talent this real can never be dethroned,” she assured him.

Thankfully, her faith was well placed. After years of box-office disappointments, Hrithik’s career revived with Koi… Mil Gaya in 2003, another Rakesh Roshan directorial, marking a new chapter for the actor.