Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is ready with sci-fi thriller "Krrish", starring his son Hrithik, and says "The Lord Of The Rings" inspired him to make the sequel to "Koi...Mil Gaya".

Excerpts:

Q: At what point of time, did you decide to make a sequel to "Koi... Mil Gaya?"
A: It was neither preconceived nor premeditated. When I saw "The Lord Of The Rings", where just a ring could carry forward the story into a trilogy, I thought, in "Koi... Mil Gaya" (KMG), I had a real living character, who can take the story forward.

And in the film an alien, Jadoo, gave Rohit supernatural powers. I couldn't have left it at that point. The concept of that passed-over power would have been incomplete without taking it forward.

What would Rohit (Hrithik of KMG) do with that special power? How would he use it for the good of humanity? He was innocent. He had no selfish motives in KMG. In "Krrish" his special powers are passed on to his son Krishna, who uses it for saving the world from disaster.

Q: How does the transition take place from an Indian hamlet to an alien country, Singapore?
A: "Krrish" begins where KMG ends. The story had to move from Rohit and Nisha. They die in a mishap (which is narrated in flashback) and their offspring Krishna is being nurtured with the same kind of fervour by his grand-ma Rekha.

But having inherited extraterrestrial powers from his father, Krishna does several rescue acts. His daredevilry is the talk of town and a TV correspondent comes probing.

Later, the story shifts, taking Krishna to Singapore, where a scientist is devising his own designs to usurp supreme powers, and Krishna's mission is to save the universe. Krishna thus transforms into Krrish - a universal entity.

Q: It is said that most of the film has been shot in Singapore.
A: Yes, almost 60 percent of the film has been shot in Singapore and their hospitality has been both humbling and heart-warming. There is not a single corner of Singapore that I have not shot in.

Q: How are you planning to return the Singapore government's hospitality?
A: "Krrish" is dedicated to the friendly people of that country. Moreover, I will be holding premieres in Singapore where my entire unit would be present.

Q: Back to "Krrish", would you concede that it is a mélange of Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Zorro et al?
A: This is a wrong notion. I have neither been inspired by Superman, Spiderman, Batman or whatever, nor used their illustrative daredevilry gimmicks. They were comic book characters that were later translated into celluloid heroes.

My Krrish is a real life hero. Krrish has done all the stunts himself. There is no CGs (computer graphics) where Hrithik is involved. You'd be surprised to know that even for risky shots, we have not used dupes. My special effects team that included Mark Kolbe and Craig Mumma were present throughout the shooting of the film.

They suggested Hrithik perform his own stunts, which he did with great mental and physical stress and strain. The thrills are unparalleled.

Q: Hrithik hurt himself during several shots?
A: Yes, he hurt himself but not during the shoots but while rehearsing.

Q: How was Priyanka Chopra finalised for the role?
A: Hrithik is from home and he plays the principal role. I didn't want to sign a heroine who was doing 10 films and had no matching dates because I wanted bulk dates. I wanted my entire team to focus on my film. Priyanka had the dates so I signed her.

Q: How did it strike you that besides her availability Priyanka would suit the character?
A: I had seen her dressed in a simple salwar-kameez with glasses at the funeral of Shri Yash Johar. Her appearance struck me as someone down-to-earth, practical and simple.

I was looking for a character with just those kind of looks and appearance. I decided then and there that Priyanka would play the TV journo that I was looking for.

Q: There is a negative image attached to Priyanka, don't you think it would affect your film?
A: I have always believed that the image of an actor does not take a film to success, but it is the film that gives an image to an actor. It all depends on how you present your character. I am not concerned with stars or their images, but their characters in my film.

Q: Does her character as a Star TV reporter have anything to do with your tie-up with the channel for "Krrish"?
A: Yes, it does have.

Q: Why did you rope in Salim-Suleiman to give the background score of the film? Your brother Rajesh Roshan has composed only the songs.
A: Because the film is being dubbed into Telugu and Tamil and Rajesh is busy with the recording of the songs in those languages. That's how Salim and Suleiman came into the picture. Moreover, they are extremely talented too. There's no question of undermining anybody's talent.

Q: Hrithik does look into your department too?
A: Yes, he does. And I appreciate that. After all, he has assisted me in more than a couple of films and he is well versed with all the departments of my film.

I don't take it as interference, as the media projects, I consider it as involvement. I have formed Film Kraft and expect my son to carry it forward. Some day, he too will take over the mantle as a director. And I would be a proud father.

Q: Would you be making a sequel to "Krrish"?
A: There is certainly a scope for a sequel to "Krrish".

Q: It is said that "Krrish" is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2006.
A: I don't know whether it is the most eagerly awaited film of the year. But for me, it is the most important, at the moment.

Q: You have made films with diverse themes over the years. Would you say "Krrish" is your best yet?
A: May be not the best yet. But yes, the biggest yet, in terms of volume and size.