Hrithik lookalike says it's macho ado about nothing

Hrithik lookalike says it's macho ado about nothing
Sanjukta Sharma

Here's another reason for the Roshan family to worry about. After Rakesh Roshan's outburst against the latest Pepsi ad, which he said was ``detrimental to Hrithik's image,'' there's `real' competition for his star son and no, it's not Shah Rukh Khan. Tarun Khanna, the Delhi-based model, supposedly Hrithik's look-alike, who appears as the macho-loser-with-braces with Shah Rukh in the ad is now headed for Bollywood.

When Mumbai Newsline spoke to him, the model said he was flabbergasted by the furore created by the ad. ``No one ever told me I look like Hrithik Roshan. As far as this ad is concerned, it is probably sheer coincidence that I look like Hrithik. The intention wasn't that at all. When I was briefed on my look before the ad was shot, I was told I would have to look like a macho hanger-on type, who thinks no end of himself and thinks every girl will fall for him. I think this kind of reaction to the ad is totally uncalled-for and silly. There is no attempt to prove Shah Rukh is better than Hrithik,'' he said.

He described his experience while shooting the film with Prahlad Kakkar in Mumbai as ``delightful'' because he had a chance to work with Shah Rukh. ``He is a great person and a thorough professional, and I was motivated to do my best because of him.'' As far as his own Bollywood aspirations are concerned, Tarun has his priorities clear: ``I will leave Delhi for good only if I have a lead role in a Hindi film,'' he said.

Tarun's modelling career has been average so far. The last Pepsi ad plugged around the Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani promotion, which went on air last February, did not get him much attention. His other campaigns -- Four Square, Pringle and Maruti -- have not been noticeable either. But all that has changed with his latest assignment. He's now flooded with telephone calls, mainly because he is seen as Hrithik Roshan's clone. ``It's heartwarming, but at the same time annoying, because I know it's my own look and I don't like to be compared with anyone else. I am a model and an aspiring actor in my own right. I have respect for Hrithik Roshan because he represents a new face and a new look in Bollywood. I just hope another actor like him emerges soon.'' Which could well be him? All Tarun has to say to that is, ``Tumhare muh mein ghee shakkar!''