'We were a bunch of fools having fun': Hrithik Roshan celebrates 15 years of 'ZNMD'

Some films become timeless because of the memories they leave behind, both on screen and off it.

As ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ completed 15 years, Hrithik Roshan looked back on the film with gratitude, calling it a journey that changed him personally as much as professionally.

Sharing moments from the film on Instagram, the actor reflected on playing Arjun, a character he said mirrored a phase of his own life. Hrithik wrote that the role allowed him to explore emotions he was dealing with in reality and credited director Zoya Akhtar for creating an environment where every actor could perform with complete freedom.

"We were a bunch of fools having fun, and in hindsight creating something meaningful in the process. Thank you Zo for allowing us to be fools," he wrote, remembering the experience of making the road trip drama.

Hrithik also described the film as a transformative chapter in his life. Looking back at the shoot, he said Arjun's journey towards embracing his true self helped him discover a similar sense of freedom, making the experience deeply cathartic.

Hrithik wrote:

"15 years of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. A film and a journey that continues to amaze me.

Arjun was a character who allowed me to channel on screen a conundrum I was dealing with in real life.

As we got closer to shooting, across many conversations with Zoya, I found a director and collaborator who let the actor in me run free. The confidence she had in her process was unshakable, and it allowed her to liberate all of us artists on set. We were a bunch of fools having fun, and in hindsight creating something meaningful in the process. Thank you Zo for allowing us to be fools. 

Today, when I look back at the journey of filming, just as Arjun found freedom in embracing his true self, so did I. It was a deeply transformative and cathartic experience. One that perhaps cannot be replicated without the right people around. Here is to my precious co stars Abhay, Farhan, Katrina, Kalki, and to the incredible team of Ritesh, Zoya, Reema, Javed uncle, Carlos, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Bosco Caesar, Vaibhavi & the brilliant technical team, and crew. Together we created a film that continues to speak to audiences even 15 years later.

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We did this. And most importantly, we had fun while doing it! Thank you universe for the opportunity to be a part of this magical film."

Furthermore, the actor added that moments like these are only possible with the right people by your side. He thanked co-stars Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin, along with Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Javed Akhtar, producer Ritesh Sidhwani, composers Shankar Ehsaan Loy, choreographers Bosco Caesar and Vaibhavi Merchant, and the entire technical crew for bringing the film to life.

Ending his note on a grateful note, Hrithik celebrated the lasting impact of ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, saying the team created a film that continues to connect with audiences even 15 years later.