Suparn Verma

Simi Garewal kickstarted her third season of Rendezvous by interviewing superstar Hrithik Roshan along with his parents, Rakesh and Pinky Roshan.

The episode was aired on December 6, enthralling fans and critics alike who got an insight into the life of their idol.

But on December 15, the Nepalese weekly Chitwan Post reported that an effigy of Hrithik was burnt by students protesting alleged anti-Nepalese statements on Star TV made by the superstar.

rediff.com spoke to Simi Garewal, who expressed shock and dismay at what has since transpired.

"When I first heard the report, I thought it was something very minor that was just blowing in the wind. I never expected it to snowball into something like this.

"What baffles me is that an interview which was never given in the first place -- which not a single person has read, heard or seen -- is being blindly believed ! How absurd can it get?

"I mean, let's start using logic. I have conducted so many interviews.

"What kind of interviewer would ask a question like, 'So tell me which country do you hate most?'

"I think it was meant to be minor mischief. Some students tried to be smart. But even they didn't realise that their small prank would have such far-reaching effects.

"Let us for a second say that it was true. What's the big deal about it?

"If tomorrow Sanjay Dutt or Shah Rukh Khan were to say they hate Germany or China, would the Chinese or Germans be bothered? If tomorrow Brad Pitt said he hates India, would I start rioting in India?

"The reason that Rendezvous was targetted was because this was Hrithik's first ever personal television interview. The others were all promotional for his films.

"Rendezvous has become so high profile that even I am surprised by the viewers' keen interest. It's like all the interviews are watched through a microscope! They examine every outfit -- every flower!

"I guess it's both a blessing and a blight!"

Simi Garewal spoke at length to Hrithik just before he left for his honeymoon.

She says, "He was absolutely shattered by this news. He couldn't believe it.

"He said, 'I'm just an actor, I'm not even that important.' <> "He told me that his interview on Rendezvous has been like a second coming.

"In fact his father told me that Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai was his first launch. Rendezvous was his second.

"I told Hrithik he had been working too hard. He had just got married... I told him to get away and have a good time."