Donning the mantle of Rado's new global brand ambassador, and awaiting the release of Agneepath, Hrithik Roshan speaks exclusively to us on his future plans. When Hrithik Roshan looks back on 2011, he'd agree that it's been a pretty good year. While highlights included critical acclaim for Guzaarish and a nomination in Filmfare's Best Actor category, mid-2011 saw the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

A huge box-office draw, it showcased Hrithik, after a long time, as a regular boy next door, the very thing that had first catapulted him into fame. Already on the floors was Agneepath, and in the pipeline, Krrish 2. The year-end held an equally big bonanza-announced in the beginning of December was Hrithik's collaboration with Rado, with him being chosen as the Swiss watchmaker's global brand ambassador.

"I am really proud of this association," says Hrithik. "My father wore a Rado, and I remember seeing him and thinking that he looked really strong with that watch. And every boy wants to be like his father. So for me it was symbolic of growing up and being a man. Also, the brand values really resonated with me. 'Imagine it and you can make it' is something that the founder of Rado had said, and instinctively I felt that it was a great fit. And the watches are beautiful," he says, looking at the Rado D-Star on his wrist.

Hrithik's association with Rado sees him shoulder-to-shoulder with personalities like Taiwanese actress René Liu and Russian director Renata Litvinova, while Lisa Ray continues to be the 'national' face of Rado. At the event that marked the announcement, Matthias Breschan, CEO of Rado, reiterated the perfect fit. "Hrithik is someone who truly matches the Rado DNA, as he is determined to achieve perfection and fully embodies the Rado Unlimited Spirit."

Hrithik's a watch aficionado-by his own admittance, a watch is the only accessory he has ever worn in his life. "So it's a very important one," he laughs. And happy to be a part of a watch brand, ideating, and giving inputs on timepieces could well be on the anvil. "I hope this association contributes to their growth. And if I have a larger part to play in that process, I would love to share my ideas and brainstorm on aspects like design."

The actor's watch engagements won't be the only things that will keep him busy this year. Ready for release this month is the much-anticipated Agneepath, a movie Hrithik defiantly says is not a remake of the 1990-Amitabh Bachchan starrer, an iconic film in its own right. "I saw this script as an entirely different one. It's a fresh story. I have always had reservations in doing a remake, but after Karan's (Malhotra) narration, I was sold."

Hrithik will essay the role of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, previously made famous by Bachchan. (Interestingly, Mithun Chakraborty's memorable character has been done away with.) "Vijay's role touched me. It is very well constructed and thought out. I wanted to be him." Hrithik took his time to discover the character, in much the same way he had prepared for his role in Jodhaa-Akbar. Working with debutant director Karan Malhotra also played a pivotal role in helping him explore his character.

"I didn't for a second feel that I was working with someone new. I prefer to be pushed; I want to know less and prefer to work with people who know more. With Karan, every day he arrived on the set with something inspiring, something new." Working non-stop though, took its toll too-Hrithik suffered a slipped disc that threatened to throw the schedule of the movie into a tizzy. "I hadn't taken a break for long. And with the back injury, I couldn't move. But the experience really taught me to respect my body."

Agneepath will also see Hrithik team up once more with Sanjay Dutt, the first time since Mission Kashmir. "He's the best guy around. He looks intimidating, but he isn't. He took me under his wing, and became my official trainer. He used to kill me," Hrithik remembers. "But by the end of it, I felt like a new person. He's a fantastic co-star."

Hrithik will follow up his first movie of the year with Krrish 2, starring Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, and Vivek Oberoi, which went on the floors last month. But till then, it is the excitement of Agneepath that's keeping him going. "We have just one day's shoot left. And then there is Katrina's item song, Chikni Chameli. That's going to be quite a blast!" No doubt, this year's starting off on a high note.