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'I am hardly Shah Rukh, but I can play guitar...'

Bollywood princesses are no doubt apt at it. After Madhuri's inspirational touch in barefoot artist M F Husain's strokes of colour and creativity, la Juhi Chawla works up her charm all the way to US, firing up musical passion in star rock guitarist Don Hammontree.

The Chicago-based alt-rocker was so smitten by the innocence and fresh appeal of this former Miss India that he wrote her a rock song: How could (God) have put so much perfection into building my dream girl, and then put you in another hemisphere?... I am hardly Shah Rukh Khan but I can play guitar in ways you won't believe."

The song has the backup of some local Indi-musicians garnished with propulsive, string-driven rhythm.

The 30-year-old guitarist set eyes on the Indian beauty in the form of a poster dangling in the window of a video shop in Chicago's Devon Street. "I was struck by how beautiful she was. Juhi is my favourite actress," declared an enamoured Hammontree in an interview with the Californian newspaper, India-west. Juhi's films, Ishq and Deewana Mastana are his favourites.

Hrithik makes a splash

The camera is on in Phuket's Krabi island, just roughed up by a hurricane. The weather is all awry, the waves are choppy -- and he has to play out an underwater sequence.

The act ends and father Roshan ecstatically yells, "Cut." Out comes, from the oxygen mask, son Roshan -- Hrithik Roshan aka Dubby. And the curtain falls on the shooting of Rakesh Roshan jr's debut film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, daddy Roshan's 10th directional venture, which is slated for a January release.

So, with roughshod waves riding over the hero, special effects animating the scenes, has Rakesh chosen an action film as boy Roshan's launching pad ? "No, no, it's a love story narrated from the heroine's point of view. Shot in some of the most exotic locations, it's a beautifully mounted film. And it's one of the most expensive films I've ever made," the director said.

Paired opposite another new entry, Amisha Patel, an Economics graduate from US, Hrithik thinks it's one of daddy dearest's finest films. And, though not even one-film old, Hrithik himself -- with pumped up pectorals, a la Schwarzenegger, ocean-green eyes and 1000-watt smile that can make many a dame's heart skip a beat, is the new hot property of Bollywood. He is already being touted as the star of the new millennium.

Sharing his thoughts with a newspaper recently, Hrithik said, "There comes a moment in everyone's life when parents pop the question, 'okay son, what are you going to do in life?' Films, of course, topped my priority list."

Though he has been assisting his father since the last five years behind the camera, being asked to be on the other side of the table really came as a bolt from the blue.

"Once during a story sitting, I casually asked my dad who'd do the film. And he turned around and asked me if I'd be interested. I just got up and went into my bedroom to regain my composure. My dad followed me and asked whether I felt I was upto doing the role. I said yes but asked him to give me two months to get into shape. I've always wanted to be an actor, but it came as a complete surprise," added Hrithik.

After an unsuccessful attempt to enter films (he had approached ace director Shekhar Kapur for Tara Rum Pum Pum), Hrithik had enrolled himself for acting classes with Kishore Namit Kapoor. He also received initial training to develop his brawn from none other than Salman Khan on request.

"On an impulse, I called up Salman. He taught me that sculpting the body wasn't only about beefcake. It's about mind control too. I was taken aback by how nice he was. After all, he's a big star, he didn't have to go out of his way to help me," said Hrithik.

So, with body enviable, mind beautiful and a doting pop, Hrithik right now is all set to hit the glamour world with gusto. God forbid, what if the venture fails to make it big? "I'll be an out of work actor. Since I'm a first class Commerce graduate, I may become a management consultant or some such thing," quipped Hrithik.

-- UNI