When Hrithik Roshan locked himself in the bathroom and started crying: Father Rakesh Roshan recalls heart-breaking moment

Hrithik Roshan stands out as a major figure in the Hindi cinema world, celebrated for his exceptional performances, striking appearance, and remarkable talent on the dance floor. As a member of the illustrious Roshan family, many assume his rise in Bollywood was smooth and effortless.

However, the reality of his path has been quite the opposite. Beneath the glamour and spotlight lies a story defined by perseverance, relentless effort, inner confidence, and the strength to push through adversity. One of the biggest hurdles Hrithik had to tackle from a young age was his struggle with a speech impediment—specifically, stammering.

In a heartfelt conversation with Pinkvilla, Hrithik’s sister, Sunaina Roshan, shed light on how he overcame this personal challenge. She revealed that Hrithik was so determined to improve his speech that he would begin his day at 4:30 AM to attend special speech therapy sessions. According to Sunaina, his commitment was unwavering, and she admired how dedicated he was in gradually overcoming the issue. “He did a lot of work to stop stuttering. Hats off to him. I remember him waking up very early to practice,” she recalled.

When asked if she ever defended Hrithik from bullies during their childhood, Sunaina admitted that she was quite young at the time and soon got married, making it difficult for her to play that role. However, she emphasized that their family was always united, especially during times of health concerns or personal struggles. Interestingly, she described Hrithik as someone who naturally assumed the role of the older sibling, even though she is technically older. “He’s always protected me like an elder brother. That’s the kind of bond we share,” she added fondly.

In a separate interview with ANI, Hrithik’s father, director Rakesh Roshan, spoke about a particularly emotional moment from his son's past. He remembered Hrithik locking himself in the bathroom, determined to say the phrase "Thank you, Dubai" without stammering. Rakesh expressed how painful it was to watch his son—who was intelligent and articulate—feel insecure because of his speech difficulty. “He would get stuck on the letter 'D' and wouldn’t come out until he got it right,” he said, admiring his son's willpower. Rakesh proudly mentioned that Hrithik has not struggled with stammering for over a decade now.

Known affectionately as the “Greek God of Bollywood,” Hrithik burst onto the scene with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, directed by his father. The film turned him into an overnight star. Since then, he has headlined numerous blockbusters, including Koi Mil Gaya, Dhoom 2, Jodhaa Akbar, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. He is currently preparing for his next major release, War 2, alongside Kiara Advani.