Krrish is an Indian superhero film franchise created, produced and directed by Rakesh Roshan under the banner of FilmKraft Productions. The franchise is a milestone in Hindi cinema as one of the earliest successful indigenous superhero film series. It stars Hrithik Roshan in the title role and is built around the lineage of an extraordinary family whose abilities are derived from extraterrestrial contact. The films combine science fiction, action, family drama and romance in the conventions of mainstream Bollywood cinema.
| Franchise name | Krrish |
|---|---|
| Genre | Superhero, science fiction, action |
| Created by | Rakesh Roshan |
| Production company | FilmKraft Productions Pvt. Ltd. |
| Director | Rakesh Roshan |
| Lead actor | Hrithik Roshan |
| Music | Rajesh Roshan |
| Language | Hindi |
| First film | Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) |
| Films in series | Three (as of release of Krrish 3 in 2013) |
The franchise originated with Koi... Mil Gaya (2003), a science fiction film in which a developmentally challenged young man, Rohit Mehra, befriends an alien named Jadoo who imparts him exceptional physical and mental abilities. The commercial and critical success of the film prompted Rakesh Roshan to expand the concept into a superhero series centred on Rohit's son, Krishna Mehra, who adopts the masked identity "Krrish".
Directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, the film starred Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta, with Rekha as Rohit's mother. It established the central premise of the series, including the alien Jadoo and the gifted character of Rohit Mehra. The film won the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director, among others.
The first film to feature the masked superhero, Krrish introduced Krishna, the son of Rohit Mehra, raised in the Himalayan foothills by his grandmother. The film was shot extensively in Singapore and featured action choreography by Hong Kong-based stunt director Tony Ching Siu-tung. It co-starred Priyanka Chopra, Naseeruddin Shah and Rekha. Krrish was released on 23 June 2006 and was among the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year.
Released on 1 November 2013, Krrish 3 introduced a wider gallery of superpowered characters, including the antagonist Kaal (played by Vivek Oberoi) and the shapeshifter Kaya (played by Kangana Ranaut). Hrithik Roshan played a triple role of Krishna, Krrish and the elder Rohit. The film featured an ensemble of mutated antagonists called Maanvars and represented a stylistic shift towards superhero ensemble narratives.
All three films have been directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, with screenplay contributions from Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt and Sanjay Masoom across instalments. The musical scores have been composed by Rajesh Roshan, with lyrics by Ibrahim Ashk and Sameer, among others. The franchise is notable for its early adoption of large-scale visual effects in Hindi cinema, with Krrish 3 employing extensive CGI for its action sequences.
The Krrish franchise is widely credited with popularising the superhero genre in Hindi cinema and demonstrating the commercial viability of indigenous costumed-hero narratives in India. It pre-dated several later domestic superhero attempts and remains one of the most recognisable original superhero properties in Indian popular culture. The character of Krrish has been extended through merchandising, animated television series, comic books and video games, and the mask and signature pose have entered wider public imagery in India.
A fourth instalment, commonly referred to in the press as Krrish 4, has been announced by Rakesh Roshan as a continuation of the franchise. As with previous films, Hrithik Roshan is to reprise the title role.