When doctor told Hrithik Roshan he should not be an actor
Mumbai, July 3
It is hard to imagine, but the 'Greek God' of Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan, known for his impeccable acting and dancing skills, was fighting a silent battle with himself for more than 2 decades.
Hrithik used to stammer since childhood, something which made it extremely difficult for him to realize his dream of being an actor.
During his 2009 interaction with filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan on the show, "Tere Mere Beach Mein," Hrithik revealed that even his doctor had told him that he should not be an actor.
"You can't be an actor, you should not be an actor. There is still time, you are 21, you can do something else," the doctor had said.
Shedding further light on his struggle with the speech impediment, the 'War' actor shared, "The minute you start talking, you get stuck, and you don't know why? Right from your toes to the ends of your hair strands, you are in complete shock. Your heart palpitates, you don't understand, and you are aware of people looking at you. You can compare it to hell."
Hrithik also said that his most embarrassing moments during his younger days used to be when he told someone that he wanted to be an actor.
"How can I be an actor when I can't even say that I want to be an actor," he shared.
However, Hrithik bravely overcame his shortcoming with extensive speech training that included reading the newspapers, practicing voice modulation, and breathing techniques under the guidance of speech therapists.
On the professional front, Hrithik will soon be stepping into the OTT world as a producer with his latest project, "Storm".
The series enjoys an ensemble cast led by Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Saba Azad.
"Storm" has been created and directed by Ajitpal Singh, the acclaimed filmmaker, who is known for his work in the series "Tabbar".
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is why we need to talk more about mental health and speech issues in India. Hrithik didn't let societal pressure define him. Kudos to him and his speech therapists! But honestly, some of his recent films haven't been great—I hope he focuses on better scripts now.
A true underdog story! As someone from the US, I knew Hrithik as a superstar but never imagined he had such a tough start. It's amazing how he went from stammering to being one of the most confident performers in Bollywood. That doctor was so wrong! 😅
Really proud of Hrithik! But let's not forget that this kind of success isn't common in India. For every Hrithik, there are thousands who face similar challenges without access to speech therapy or family support. We need more awareness and resources for stammering in our country.
This is such a powerful story! Hrithik's transformation is a testament to human resilience. I loved how he described the feeling of being stuck—it's so relatable for anyone who has faced anxiety. That "hell" he mentioned really hits home. 🌟
"How can I be an actor when I can't say I want to be an actor?"—that line broke my heart. It's wonderful that he overcame this, but I wish the article focused more on practical tips for others who stammer. Reading newspapers and breathing exercises—simple yet effective. Bhai, we need more stories like this! 🔥
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