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He’s only 32, but he’s seen life akin to a veteran. And thankfully, Hrithik Roshan has none of the cynicism that accompanies experience. He’s been labelled many things, but he believes in keeping himself grounded, taking the rough with as much acceptance as the smooth. “Of course, it feels absolutely amazing when people say complimentary things, but my family and friends have always kept a check on my ego. I refused fantastic and weird offers – evening tea with Prince Charles or representing India at an elite dinner in New York with the American President, or for that matter, being India’s representative to meet Nelson Mandela. I refused a 50-crore offer from a TV channel to lend my voice and face to its programming!”

The dramatic incidents in his life have only made Hrithik stronger. “There is something to learn from every situation,” says the actor. “You understand yourself, you understand life. I think it makes you realise your priorities and brings you closer to the truth. There is no ‘bad’. There’s only ‘good’.”

An optimist to the core, Hrithik is also a perfectionist, like Aamir Khan. “Aamir has far, far more experience and insight into life, into his approach to his work,” protests Hrithik. “I have done just 11 films so far and Aamir has done something close to 45. I believe it is only around the 11th or 12th film that you start to find yourself as an actor, if you’re lucky. I don’t take my work that seriously, as seriously as Aamir does. I base my work more on instinct and less on study. I also have an impulse to have fun with my work at times. But if it is a film like Koi Mil Gaya, things change and I get into study mode. So it depends on the challenge.”

Roshan Jr has a distinctive approach to his movement on screen – just like all successful actors right from Dilip Kumar to Dev Anand to Amitabh Bachchan. Carefully cultivated? “Style is nothing but an individual’s confidence in himself. The more you are yourself; the more stylish you will look. For that, you first have to have an insight about yourself and the things that motivate you. Most of us are not in touch with ourselves. The mind is an organ that you are supposed to use, but instead it ends up controlling you. We have to get in touch with our soul, our spirit. That’s what is important…” he trails off.

Perhaps it’s this spiritual leaning that has made him an actor who is hardly involved in any controversy. “I believe that the person you are eventually becomes your image. I believe in Karma, and I believe in doing things righteously. If someone is being wronged, you must take up for him,” he maintains. Having said that, the only controversy he’s faced was his link-up with Kareena. “Yes, we’re working in Zoya Akhtar’s film together. And it has absolutely not affected our relationship. We shared a very good chemistry onscreen and it has always been fun working with her.”

And how does the star make time for family now that he’s a dad? “Fortunately, I have not been that busy for the past two months. I have had enough time to give to my work, and to Suzanne and Hrehaan. It’s been quite comfortable because I have been preparing and trying to learn the art of time management and I think I have succeeded somewhere as things are going pretty smooth so far,” replies Hrithik.