Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan recently touched hearts across the nation with a deeply personal and emotional birthday tribute to veteran actor-filmmaker Sanjay Khan. The heartfelt note, shared on social media, was for his former father-in-law, celebrating his birthday on January 3. This year's celebration was particularly poignant as it marked Sanjay Khan's first birthday since the passing of his beloved wife, Zarine Khan, last year.
A Bond That Transcends Marriage
Despite his separation and subsequent divorce from Sussanne Khan in 2014, Hrithik Roshan has consistently maintained a close and respectful relationship with her family. His latest social media post is a powerful testament to this enduring bond. Addressing Sanjay Khan affectionately as "dad," Hrithik shared a carousel of unseen photographs that painted a picture of a united extended family.
The photos featured not only Sanjay and the late Zarine Khan but also Sussanne Khan, her siblings Farah Khan Ali and Zayed Khan, Hrithik's sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan, his girlfriend Saba Azad, and Sussanne's partner Arslan Goni. This visual narrative underscored the modern, amicable dynamic the families share, focusing on love and mutual respect beyond past marital ties.
The Heart of the Message: Gratitude and Guidance
In his lengthy caption, Hrithik poured out his gratitude for the unwavering support and love he has received from Sanjay Khan over the decades. "Today on your birthday dad, I want to thank you for always being this giant loving and guiding presence in my life," he began. He recalled how Sanjay and Zarine's home was a sanctuary of unconditional love for him.
He reminisced about their very first meeting, where Sanjay Khan interpreted the letter 'H' in his name as a sign of destined greatness. "Your name begins with H. It means you are meant for great heights, my son," were the words that left a lasting impression on a young Hrithik, who noted, "I believed it, dad. I believed it because it came from you."
Perhaps the most touching revelation was a piece of professional advice that has stayed with Hrithik throughout his career. Sanjay Khan had advised him that before each shot, when the clapperboard covers his face, he should "collect all of you, smile and whisper 'magic time,' and then just let it all go." Hrithik confessed he still uses this technique, affirming it "works like magic. Every time."
Honouring a Pioneer and Looking Ahead
Hrithik also took a moment to applaud Sanjay Khan's significant contributions to Indian entertainment, specifically highlighting his groundbreaking work on the historical television series The Sword of Tipu Sultan. He praised Khan for raising the bar for production and research "long before the internet made research easy" and "way before OTT" platforms became the norm.
Concluding his moving tribute, Hrithik wrote, "May you be our guiding light for another 100. We love you. Happy Birthday, dad. Love you and miss you, mom." The post was flooded with warm reactions from family. His mother, Pinkie Roshan, called it "Beautiful. Beautifully expressed," while Farah Khan Ali and Saba Azad also left loving comments.
On the professional front, Hrithik Roshan is currently preparing for his upcoming superhero film, Krrish 4, which is in pre-production and expected to begin filming in 2026. The project is highly anticipated as it will also mark his directorial debut.
