Get well soon, Rakesh Roshan

What is happening to the film fraternity? Kisiki nazar lag gayi? First Irrfan, now Rakesh Roshan, two of my friends have been diagnosed with the Big C.

I have known Rakesh Roshan longer than perhaps anyone in the film industry. During the days of landline phones, we would speak regularly. Even when I was starting out, Rakeshji was always kind, thoughtful and considerate towards me. In fact, we get along far better than his son Hrithik who, for some strange reason, always avoided meeting me although we got along just fine on the phone.

I remember this deeply embarrassing moment, after Kareena Kapoor (now Khan) and I watched the songs of Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon in the Rajshri office. She excitedly rang up Hrithik asking if we could come over to meet him (he was the leading man in the film). From the look on Kareena’s face, I could tell what Hrithik’s response was.

Recently, after years of silence, Hrithik again surfaced to request for my support in his fight against Kangana. He again disappeared after getting what he wanted.

The point of bringing up these distasteful incidents is to draw attention to the difference between a father and his son. While the junior’s relationships are completely need-driven (and no harm in that), Rakeshji and I have known and respected one another for decades now. Even when he is not directing a film—which happens quite often—he’s still the same person. Warm, polite and always ready with a welcoming smile.

It is truly distressful to see a generation growing progressively distant in the film industry. There are no more personal relationships, at least none that I can even remotely describe as valuable. Whether it is Hrithik or Varun Dhawan, it is the previous generation that believed in forging durable relationships. David Dhawan asks about my next visit to Mumbai each time we speak. Varun couldn’t care less.

Nowadays, the interviews are conducted with the stars’ PR persons listening in. It is as unacceptable an arrangement as a third person barging in during a confessional with a priest.

Rakesh Roshan belongs to a precious breed of professionals who believed work could be done within the periphery of a lasting friendship. I can’t claim to be a buddy. (Rishi Kapoor, who can rightfully claim to be that, is also undergoing treatment). But we are friends. We share mutual respect. It shook me to know that this strong and tenacious man is, after all, human.

I remember when, in 2000, Rakeshji was shot at by gangsters for refusing extortion money. He drove himself to the nearest hospital with a bullet in his abdomen.

Yes, he’s a survivor. He will fight this one out and return with Krissh 4 , Krissh 5 and Krissh 6.