Hrithik plays magician for kids

Over the decades, actors have learnt various skills to get into the skin of their characters. Dilip Kumar learnt to play the sitar for Azad and Shabana Azmi learnt Carnatic sangeet for Morning Raga. While Ranbir Kapoor will learn to play the guitar for Imtiaz Ali’s Rock Star, Hrithik Roshan has recently learnt a skill which no other Indian actor (barring Kamal Haasan in the South) has learnt.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish features Hrithik in the role of a magician. A Ukrainian magician has been specially called to teach Hrithik magic tricks to make him look convincing.

A source says, “Bhansali did not want Hrithik to fake the magic. Nor did he want the usual rabbit-from-the-hat kind of tricks. The director wanted the magic scenes to look authentic, so a hunt was launched for a magician who would fit the bill. The yardstick was to find an expert who will give Guzaarish ample time and establish a comfort level with Hrithik.”

Finally, the man was found. The director has put aside the shoot of the magician scenes for the very end. Now with the rest of the shooting over, the Ukrainian magician is arriving next month to, well, work his magic.

“However, the interesting part is that the Ukrainian magician was in Mumbai for a brief spell, to work with Hrithik. He taught the actor some of the coolest tricks, never seen in these parts. Now the star keeps his two sons (Hrehaan and Hridhaan) entertained all the time, so much so that the elder one, Hrehaan, expects his father to be the official magician of the evening on his next birthday. If Hrithik wants an alternate career he can easily become a magician and give our PC Sorcars a run for their money,” adds the source.

While choosing to remain mum over the ‘magical’ schedule next month, Bhansali confirmed, “A magician’s participation is needed in the film. Beyond that Hrithik and I are hoping to create magic together.”

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