I ventured out to see Krrish last weekend with no expectations - I told myself that with this much hype, there was a strong likelihood that the film was going to be cheesy and predictable with amateurish special effects. Boy, was I wrong! Krrish absolutely blew me away with its incredible capacity to entertain! From the moment I sat down, I was catapulted into the film's exuberance and charm.

The ten-million dollar film, expensive by Bollywood standards, has proved to be a super-hit in India and around the world. By this Friday, Krrish is anticipated to make over fourteen million Canadian dollars, and had a bigger opening than the recent hit, Fanaa, the Yashraj hit which broke previous box-office records for earnings. The demand for Krrish last weekend was so big that, in some Indian multiplexes, all twelve shows a day were completely sold out with tickets selling on the black market for up to 900 rupees.

Krrish is the sequel to Roshan's 2003 hit, Koi Mil Gaya, where an endearing alien, Jadoo, comes to earth and bestows special powers on a mentally-handicapped boy, Rohit, who thus transforms into a powerful, brilliant hero. Krrish is the story of Rohit's son, Krishna, who inherits his dad's superpowers, but is unaware, until adulthood, of his augmented abilities which include heightened strength, speed, intelligence and compassion.

The film begins with Krishna living alone with his grandmother after the death of both his parents. They settle in a remote, mountainous village (filmed in gorgeous Manali), where Krishna's powers are known only to himself and a few locals. When a group of tourists visit the village, Krishna falls in love with a beautiful reporter from Singapore, Priya (Priyanka Chopra). When Krishna expresses his desire to visit Priya in Singapore, his grandmother (Rekha) shares with him the secret of his powers. She also reveals her own fears about losing him, just like she lost his father, who was exploited by an evil industrialist, Dr. Arya, played with finesse by Naseerudin Shah.

Out of his immense love for his grandmother, Krishna vows to protect his secret from the public. When circumstances in Singapore call on him to save innocent lives, he dons a mask to conceal his face thus acquiring the alter-identity of Krrish. His acts of bravery trigger a hunt for the masked hero. Ultimately, Krrish is led to a good-versus-evil showdown with Dr. Arya, the same evil genius who destroyed his father.

With Superman Returns being released this weekend, comparisons between the two heroes are inevitable. But, make no mistake, Krrish is much more than Superman. Roshan has crafted a super-hero who can battle evil with panache and also sing and dance for his supper. Hrithik Roshan, aside from being Rakesh's son, is the perfect choice for the role. His awe-inspiring physique lends well to Krrish's otherworldly powers, and his grace and good-looks naturally translate into the romantic song-and-dance sequences that appear throughout the film. The Bollywood staples of music and high-emotion melodrama don't appear out-of-place in the film; on the contrary, Roshan has fused the genres seamlessly, using the music and family relationships to further emphasize Krishna's multiple talents. Not only is Krrish a superhero, but a super son, grandson, and boyfriend.

Hrithik possesses the innocence of face that truly convinces the audience of Krishna's inherent goodness. Priyanka Chopra serves as the pretty, romantic foil to Krishna, but does little else with her character - to no fault of her own - the film was clearly written for Hrithik, as a showcase to his many talents. Supporting characters shine, but are clearly overshadowed by the super-sized presence of Hrithik in the films. Not only does he play Krishna/Krrish, but he appears also as his Koi Mil Gaya predecessor, Rohit, in flashbacks throughout the film. Hrithik's take on Rohit is, in my opinion, a weak link in the film. His portrayal of the gentle scientist evokes comparisons to Forrest Gump more than it should, given that Jadoo was supposed to have eliminated Rohit's dim-witted tendencies way back in Koi Mil Gaya.

That being said, the film is hugely entertaining in a way that few films are these days. The plot twists and turns in grand gestures, leaving the audience guessing and gasping. Stunning scenery, above-average music, and charming dance numbers grace the film at just the right moments. Hrithik is, beyond a doubt, a true star in this genre. He effortlessly assumes the role of super-hero and did much of the stunt work himself under the tutelage of master martial arts director, Tony Ching Siu-tung (House of Flying Daggers, Hero). Whether Roshan can make the leap into other genres and grittier roles is still an unanswered question. However, with Krrish, Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan have hit the jackpot. Hrithik has found his cinematic niche and from here, his career can only go up, up and away!

You can find many of Hrithik Roshan's films, including Koi Mil Gaya, Mission Kashmir, Fiza, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Yaadein, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, and others at Zip.ca, Canada's leading online DVD rental service, where Bollywood and Hollywood are brought to your mailbox.