Retro Review: Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai

This week Retro Review brings to the limelight a movie thanks to which a mere newcomer overwhelmed and enchanted the world on 14^th January 2000. He was an unknown face, with oodles of talent and on 14th January he stole millions of hearts with his acting and dancing abilities.

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai was the debut film for Hrithik Roshan, directed by his father Rakesh Roshan. The movie opened the millennium and crushed the new SRK's Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and catapulted Hrithik to super stardom overnight! Full of emotions and drama, the film was tailored made to enhance and showcase all of Hrithik's numerous talents. Some consider it a huge gift package from father to son with the intention of transforming him from a pretty unknown face to a mega superstar with his very first movie! Hrithik's wonderful physique and well placed promotions attracted audiences in hoards to the theaters, including numerous hormonal teenagers, where they gave the pedestal of a Greek God to this green-eyed man.

The plot revolves around the adventurous romance between a middle class salesman and singer, Raj (played by Hrithik), and a snobby and sometimes silly heiress Sonia, played by Ameesha Patel. The two don't really get along until they get shipwrecked on an island due to falling asleep on a row boat on-board a cruise ship. While spending time together on the picturesque island, the two manage to fall in love!

Antipathy to love ended up being a short journey for them; however, their idyll was quickly interrupted as soon as they were rescued and brought back to the real world. Raj ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time and dies a tragic death while trying to escape. Sonia is struck by grief and leaves the country to go have a fresh start in New Zealand. However, fates have something else in store when she meets his double and sparks fly once again! They take a quick trip back to India, extract revenge for Raj's murder, the villains get caught and numerous secrets are revealed. However, all ends well and our protagonists return back to New Zealand to live a comfortable, happy life!

The movie did exceptionally well at the box office, making both newcomers Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel stars overnight. The film had a bit of a slow start but theaters started filling up thanks to raving reviews from critics and word of mouth! All thanks to a good plot, great fresh talent and a great cinematography, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai bagged a total of 8 awards including one for "Best Film" and "Best Actor" for Hrithik Roshan. The movie truly was one of the biggest of the year, and also gave the film fraternity two promising young actors. While Hrithik has reached the epitome of success and made a place for himself among Bollywood' elite, Ameesha has lagged a bit behind but is still a known face.

Did you know:

• The female lead in the film was Kareena Kapoor initially but she dropped out shortly after the shoot started, and was replaced by newcomer Ameesha Patel.
• Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai is the 11th highest grossing Bollywood film of all time.
• The island scenes were shot in Krabi, Thailand, in the area near James Bond Island.