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Haywire over Hrithik!

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

The name Hrithik Roshan seems to send even the sanest of people into a mad frenzy.

Today, the Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai actor is in Calcutta to address the media about Fiza at Taj Bengal's Incognito. He will then join crowds at the hotel's discotheque this evening. Wanting to catch a glimpse of their heartthrob, girls have began milling outside the hotel since early morning.

Carrying the 25-year-old actor's posters, they pleaded with the hotel authorities to allow them in. In fact, when this correspondent asked some of them for their opinion on Hrithik, their reply was, "All we want from you is to take us inside the hotel. We just want to see him in person. You being a reporter can do us this favour!"

Shweta Dalmia, in her late teens, bunked college along with 150 other students from J D Birla College. When asked why, she said, " If Amitabh Bachchan was the actor of the last millennium, Hrithik is the king of actors in 21st century. What I like most about him are his eyes. They're mesmerising -- I can't describe it in words. I am willing to go to any extent to meet him in person."

Nilanjana, a relatively mature individual and an executive in a finance firm, came up with a more astonishing reply: She is ready to sever ties with her husband for Hrithik. And Nilanjana got engaged only last week!

Many elderly women, too, are making beeline for Hrithik. Ask Swati Rana, she'll tell you how her mother fought with her last night over Hrithik. "I said Hrithik has miles to go to prove his acting mettle. It angered my mom. Her obssession for Hrithik is so high that she doesn't like people comparing her favourite star with anyone. I like Hrithik's looks, but I wouldn't really make an effort to meet him. I am convinced my mother will, though!"

Meanwhile, Bombay's surburban Chandan cinema witnessed a near stampede yesterday. Even before the advance booking windows opened, men and women, young and old, scrambled to get to the counter.

The craze has trickled into the film industry as well. Exhibitors all over the country have booked the film at phenomenal rates. Most of Fiza's distributors have secured themselves by demanding -- and getting -- extraordinarily high MGs (Minimum Guarantees) and FHs (Fixed Hires) from exhibitors.

With inputs from Komal Nahta in Bombay