Marking an extraordinary two decades since the departure of Jadoo from Earth, the beloved character from Rakesh Roshan’s science-fiction masterpiece “Koi… Mil Gaya” (2003) continues to hold an indelible place in the hearts of cinephiles. Jadoo’s legacy, a friendly alien, has firmly etched itself into the annals of Indian cinema, captivating audiences with its enduring charm.
The narrative of “Koi… Mil Gaya” revolves around Rohit Mehra (Hrithik Roshan), a young man with developmental challenges living alongside his mother Sonia (Rekha). A serendipitous encounter with the extraterrestrial being Jaadoo grants Rohit astonishing superpowers, ushering him into an extraordinary new chapter of his life. Amidst this transformation, the movie delves into Rohit’s romantic journey with Nisha (Preity Zinta), his friend turned lover.
In the climactic sequence, audiences witness Jadoo departing Earth aboard a spacecraft facilitated by Rohit. Consequently, Rohit relinquishes his acquired abilities, reverting to his former self. Yet, the story takes an unexpected twist as Rohit realizes that Jadoo has bestowed upon him permanent superhuman capabilities.
Recently, Director Rakesh Roshan unveiled the deliberations behind this pivotal climax. He disclosed that he was presented with two distinct choices for the ending. One choice, advocated by the revered Yash Chopra, suggested Jadoo departing and removing Rohit’s powers. On the contrary, Aditya Chopra championed an alternate perspective, opining that the powers were intrinsically bound to Rohit. It was Aditya Chopra’s counsel that ultimately influenced Roshan’s decision, resulting in the cherished climax.
Recounting his creative process, Roshan shared a humorous insight into his brainstorming routine, which often occurred during his time in the shower. Hrithik Roshan, the lead actor and Rakesh Roshan’s son, amusingly narrated instances when his father would burst into his room, clad in a bath towel, excitedly exclaiming, “Idea aaya, idea aaya” (I got an idea).
“Koi… Mil Gaya” premiered on August 8, 2003, garnering resounding success at the box office. This triumph led to the birth of a franchise, with the sequel “Krrish” released in 2006, followed by “Krrish 3” in 2013, both achieving remarkable commercial feats.
Director Rakesh Roshan recently shared insights into the genesis of the film’s concept. The inspiration struck him as he observed his granddaughter enjoying a cartoon featuring an alien. The captivating interaction led him to conceive an alien character that would resonate with young viewers, ultimately giving rise to the friendly Jadoo.
Roshan’s creative vision for Jadoo was centered on creating an alien character that children wouldn’t fear, but rather embrace. The alien’s gentle disposition, coupled with expressive eyes that conveyed communication, was pivotal in fostering a connection with the audience. These meticulous details coalesced to forge the profound bond that “Koi… Mil Gaya” shares with audiences even two decades later.
