Hrithik Roshan talks about Guzaarish, Barbara Mori, Salman Khan, smoking, his 'crazy temper' and his extremism

Your overnight friendship meet with SRK surprised everyone. How did it happen, given you'd always been close to Salman Khan?
I don't operate like that. I have equal love for Shah Rukh and Salman. I always express that whenever I meet them. I wouldn't say Shah Rukh and I are on backslapping terms.

Yes, Sussanne and Gauri have found great friendship. I am too much in awe of Shah Rukh to be his friend. There is a reverence there, and deep respect. Whenever there is a cause for celebration, these are the people we celebrate and share love with.

Now let's talk about why you took on Salman after a tabloid reported that he'd slammed your film.
I am not the kind of guy who likes to war or fight. I was hurt. If it was a personal attack, I would have laughed it off, because I love Salman and I know he has only love for me.

But instinctively, when you hear someone say something about your baby your film and your baby can't protect itself, you have to stand up for that baby you have nurtured, it is such an innocent part of you. But I realised that using the media as a platform to express the hurt towards a person you have so much love for maybe is not the right thing to do. These are all things you learn through the course of experience.

So you sorted it out?
Salman and I had a talk after that, we are cool, we've set up a date to work out. I spoke to Salim uncle also, our fathers spoke in fact. Salman has promised to watch the film whenever he's free. So it's all good. In fact at the end of it all, I am glad what happened, happened because our bond has become stronger.

You remember how it was when your dad was shooting with both of them for Karan Arjun...
Of course, I remember.

So how was it?
They were boisterous rascals. And so much fun, I just wanted to be like them. I just had a great time watching both these icons strut their stuff, and both of them were extremely opposite to each other. I got to observe them and learn that there is no right way or wrong way.

If Shah Rukh is right, it doesn't mean Salman's way is wrong. If Salman's right, it doesn't mean Akshay or Aamir are. Everyone has to have their individual strengths backed by their passion.

Whew! Are you a difficult person to live with?
(Smiles) Not at all. I have no rules, no laws, I am okay with everything, I just have no problems.

You sound like the perfect husband.
I guess I am. Believe me, I hear that every day, so I must be.

Are you a better husband or a better dad?
(Thinks) Hmmm, that's a tough one. I think as a husband and son I am equally good, but being dad is something I have to work on. That's a lot I miss, a lot I can do, but I keep thinking there's a time for it. Before I jump on the bed and play with the kids, I have to oil my joints. I already feel old.

How do they react when they see you on screen?
Hrehaan is now sort of realising that his father is a bit more important than other people around because everybody keeps coming up to me and shaking my hand and taking pictures with me.

He is just about realising that something weird is happening. We have to make him realise all the time that he should not feel extra special, and make extra effort to keep him grounded and that's something my dad and mom did very well with me, I guess.

The whole Barbara Mori thing... did it stress your personal life?
In the broader picture, no. The one distress it can cause is make relationships awkward.

But there was never any distance between Barbara and us. We really bonded well throughout the journey. There was no distance. We were always connected, so there was no awkwardness post what was written.

If my family was affected, I would have definitely spoken about it. Everyone has a point of view about a celebrity. I did not speak as I realised that as a person who has attained whatever amount of fame, you have to choose the battles you want to fight.

Throughout your career, you've been linked to actresses.
Not like this. But I feel when you start reacting to everything people say, you are not going to be able to live your life.

Your family never questioned you?
My family will never question me. They love me too much. Sussanne knows me too. There's never been stress in that factor. You have to also know that you can't fight, because you are battling it on a platform that is owned by those saying these things.

So it is better to just maintain your dignity. I've always maintained that people can say only one of two things - they can either say the truth, so I don't need to react or they can spread lies, so I don't need to react anyway. It's simple.

What's next?
Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara will release. And there's Agneepath which I don't know how I am going to do. But I have signed it, so I am going to go through my motions... After Agneepath, Krrish 2 begins in August 2011.

No break after Guzaarish?
Going to Spain and doing ZMND was kind of a break.

You dad made the first Indian superhero film and set a trend.
Yes, that's amazing. He's always been a flagbearer, taking his cinema places where no one's been.

Your best films have been with your dad...
Yes, our combination works very well because I am the kind of guy who will wait for the leaf to fall, but he knows the pulse of the audience, he doesn't want to waste time, he will have everything he requires, he knows the demand and he supplies it. There are people who know the demand but don't know how to supply it as well. He has taken three years to script Krissh.

Being so different, how do you work together?
It's beautiful, it's wonderful, we have our fights, but there's so much love that comes out once the shot is done. He'll crack a joke and make sure I'll hear it and laugh or I will do something for him. It just works out. I can't wait to begin working with him again.