Hrithik not affected by 'Mohenjo Daro' failure: Sanjay Gupta

Hrithik Roshan's last outing 'Mohenjo Daro' may not have fared well at the box office, but director Sanjay Gupta says the actor is beyond failures.

Post the Ashutosh Gowariker-directed historical-drama, Gupta's 'Kaabil' will mark Hrithik's first film of 2017.

Asked if there is pressure for Hrithik to deliver with 'Kaabil', Gupta told, "None whatsoever ever. He has been around way too long to be beyond the 'this movie didn't fare well' thing.

"One 'Mohenjo Daro' not doing well doesn't cause a dent in the graph of a superstar like him. Ups and downs happen even in the graph of Salman and Aamir. That way there is absolutely no pressure.

"The action-thriller features Hrithik as a blind man who avenges the death of his girlfriend, played by Yami Gautam.

Gupta says while he was shooting 'Jazbaa', a writer came and narrated him the story and then they worked on it.

Afterwards, he approached the 42-year-old 'Krrish' actor, who instantly agreed to come on board.

"At the script level, we knew we need an actor beyond brilliance to pull it off. It is a very challenging, difficult role. It is not just about someone playing blind. It is far more deep, emotional.

"Hrithik is any director's dream actor. He is fantastic to work with. The minute I got the window to meet him, I narrated him and it was a go on the first phone itself," he says.

The director says Hrithik was so engrossed in the role that he never acted like a "star" on sets. "Unlike most other stars, when it comes to Hrithik, it is not the star which is coming across. It is the character that he has created which stays with you.

"Gupta said there is pressure in terms of delivering a quality product because the script is a big challenge to pull off.

"We are all under immense pressure because we have taken on a film whose subject matter is extremely challenging. And the execution of that is crucial. We have all done our best, put in our beat foot forward. We are nervous and excited.

"'Kaabil' is scheduled to release on January 25.