Kaho Na…Pyar Hai at 25: Rakesh Roshan Reflects on Success, Double Roles, and Underworld Threats
As Kaho Na…Pyar Hai celebrates its 25th anniversary, director Rakesh Roshan looks back at the film’s remarkable journey, from its massive success at the box office to its nine Filmfare awards, making it the second-largest Filmfare award winner after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. For Rakesh, the recognition was a long-awaited achievement as he had never won awards as a director before, despite his earlier films gaining popularity.
A Triumphant Family Achievement
For Rakesh Roshan, the success of Kaho Na…Pyar Hai was especially sweet because it marked a rare family feat—three members of the same family won awards for the film. Rakesh himself, his brother Rajesh Roshan (music composer), and his son Hrithik Roshan all took home trophies for their contributions to the film. Rakesh reflects, “When a film is rewarded and awarded it definitely gives one a huge high. It’s rare to see such recognition for three members of the same family, and I didn’t expect this many awards.”
The film’s success was a unique combination of both critical acclaim and commercial achievement. While some films perform well at the box office but fail to win awards, Kaho Na…Pyar Hai did both, earning praise for its story and performances while also becoming a major box-office hit.
The Double Role with a Difference
One of the standout elements of Kaho Na…Pyar Hai was its unique take on the double role concept, a format that had become overused and stale in Bollywood. Rakesh Roshan explains the innovation in the film’s double role: “The two Hrithiks were never together. When one dies, the other appears. This made the two characters form a complete whole. Unlike other films where one twin is good and the other bad, both characters in Kaho Na…Pyar Hai were shown as decent human beings with different life attitudes.”
This subtle distinction in the portrayal of the double role resonated with audiences and helped the film stand out, with Hrithik’s performance in both roles earning widespread praise. Also Read:- Hrithik Roshan’s Birthday & Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Re-release Set for Jan10, 2025
Casting Hrithik and the Underworld Threat
Rakesh recalls the moment when he decided to cast his son Hrithik in the lead role. “On the morning when I decided on this story, Hrithik was sitting next to me. Since the story required a fresh face, we decided right then that Hrithik would do it.” There had been rumors that Shah Rukh Khan was considered for the role, but Rakesh clarifies that Shah Rukh was never part of Kaho Na…Pyar Hai‘s casting discussions.
However, the film’s success did not come without its dark moments. After Kaho Na…Pyar Hai became a blockbuster, Rakesh and his family received threats from the underworld. They claimed that Rakesh had promised Hrithik would work for them, which he firmly denied. “I never gave any indication that Hrithik could do a film for them. I kept putting them off, saying Hrithik had no dates,” recalls Rakesh. The situation escalated when the underworld demanded that Rakesh take dates away from other producers and give them to their project. Rakesh, however, refused to give in to their pressure, leading to a frightening incident where he was shot at by the underworld.
Despite the fear and tension, Rakesh and his family stayed strong. “We couldn’t do anything creative, let alone make a film,” he shares, reflecting on the difficult time.
As Kaho Na…Pyar Hai marks its 25th anniversary, Rakesh Roshan’s story of perseverance, family achievement, and overcoming adversity remains an inspiring one. The film not only launched Hrithik Roshan as a star but also became an iconic part of Bollywood history. Also Read:- Hrithik Roshan Anxious Over Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Re-Release
