May 4, 2010
Three DVDs Hrithik wanted Barbara to watch
Before Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori began filming for Kites, there was something extremely critical that Hrithik wanted Barbara to do; he needed her to watch some of his films on
The reason being, Hrithik explains, “When Dad approached Barbara for Kites and told her I will be her co-actor she logged looked me up on the internet and came across some of my silliest videos on YouTube and I believe she was not very excited.”
So when Hrithik and Barbara met before the shooting of Kites, he gave her three DVDs of his films to watch - Koi Mil Gaya, Lakshya and Dhoom. “When she met me I made sure to show her some of my 'good' work to let her know I could really perform. I made sure that she watched all the DVDs because she didn’t have a clear picture about Indian Cinema and o of course to set right her impression of me” he adds.
So what was Barbara’s reaction after watching the films? “Not only was she but everyone who saw these three films very, very impressed. They were very excited and full of compliments for me so I was happy,” exclaims Hrithik.
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April 23, 2010
GROUNDBREAKING GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION PLANS FOR UNIQUE BOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION
HIGH FLYING “KITES” TO OPEN
In what will be the widest ever release for any Indian ‘Bollywood’ production, KITES, the eagerly anticipated romantic adventure starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori, will open globally, including the
Shot completely on location in Las Vegas, Sante Fe and Los Angeles, KITES is a unique ‘Bollywood’ film in a number of ways, not the least of which is the fact that a reworked English language version, designed to extend the reach of the original, will be launched in select engagements one week later. Entitled KITES: THE REMIX, it is being presented by Brett Ratner, who oversaw its creation. In the States, KITES: THE REMIX will be released in association with Mark Urman’s Paladin, and will open in several major markets, including
Produced on an epic scale, and set primarily against the lavish backdrop of
Reliance BIG Pictures CEO, Sanjeev Lamba, commented ‘KITES is a very important film for Reliance with a story that has international appeal. By releasing the original Hindi version and Brett Ratner’s REMIX a week apart, we feel that we can reach the largest possible audience, including the younger demographic for whom 2+ hours is a challenge’
As of May 21st, KITES will play at all traditional Indian film venues around the World, including Reliance’s own newly- opened Big Cinema on
Officially billed as “A Brett Ratner Presentation,” Ratner’s version of KITES is, as its title suggests, a true “remix,” in that it is the same film, played to a different rhythm, running a swift 90 minutes as opposed to the 130–minute original. One of the leading action directors working in the industry today, Ratner is credited with taking Asian action star Jackie Chan and crossing him over into American superstardom with his spectacularly successful “Rush Hour” series. In much the same way, KITES: THE REMIX will target younger, hipper, more action-oriented crowd than the original. Besides playing different theaters and neighborhoods, it will also take on additional screens at many of the same multiplexes that will be playing the original version as of May, 21, an unprecedented strategy that will present an alternative to fans who want to see more—and less—of the film at the same time.
Brett Ratner said ‘As a huge fan of Bollywood and its filmmakers, I was delighted when Rakesh and Anurag invited me to create a westernised version of their fabulously conceived film. The opportunity to widen the audience profile for KITES was compelling and I have thoroughly enjoyed the collaboration’
Barbara Mori and Hrithik Roshan, and the key filmmaking team, will attend a
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MEXICAN ACTRESS BARBARA MORI SPEAKS ABOUT HER FIRST BOLLYWOOD
March 18, 2010
1. Kites is your first Bollywood release. How are you feeling about it?
I am really excited because Kites is the biggest film I have ever done. I never imagined that I would come to Bollywood and be a part of a film made for audience all over the world. Kites will be very important for my career because this is my first international movie. I can’t wait!
2. Kites is a romantic thriller and has some great action sequences. And as per our sources we have heard that you have performed some daring stunts for kites. Is it true?
I was not scared at all, because I like danger. I was really very impressed with the action director and with car crashes and explosions. Hrithik is so good at action, I was learning a lot from him. The action director kept dissuading me from doing my stunts because they were dangerous. But I went to Hrithik and told him I can do it. So he said okay and convinced the action director to let me do my own action stunts. We had a lot of fun. It was the best experience of my career!
3. Are you open to doing more films in Bollywood post kites?
Of course, I would love to do more movies in Bollywood. It will be a pleasure for me.
4. We have heard you’ve been to
I live in
5. Everybody is talking you teaming up with Hrithik Roshan for Kites? You both make a great on-screen couple. How was he as a co-star?
Working with Hrithik was an amazing experience because he is a very good companion and now a very good friend. As co-stars, Hrithik and I got along really well, he gave me the confidence to do a few scenes that I was initially scared of like the underwater swimming scene.
6. There is also talk of physical intimacy between you and Hrithik in the movie.
I would not like to comment. Please watch the film on 21st May!
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WHY IS KITES CALLED KITES?
March 15, 2010
RAKESH ROSHAN & ANURAG BASU REVEAL THE INSPIRATION BEHIND SUMMER'S MOST EAGERLY AWAITED ROMANTIC
Mumbai,
The title and story of Kites is the brainchild of Rakesh Roshan, the man behind some of Bollywood’s most creative blockbusters.
“The idea for Kites came to me when I was gazing at the sky and saw two kites flying,” notes Rakesh Roshan. “It looked very romantic. It was very intriguing--the way they came close, played, almost embraced each other and then drew apart. Unaware that someone else was pulling the strings and could cut them loose. I sat down and penned a story around this idea”.
“Kites is the metaphor of the film. Kites fly against the wind and not with it, stronger the wind blows, higher the kites fly,” adds Anurag Basu who penned the screenplay and directed the film. “Our protagonists in the movie too face obstacles; their love grows deeper with every increasing obstacle.”
Kites is a compelling romantic saga that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. It is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship that takes two lovers on a thrilling journey filled with precious moments - and unexpected betrayal.
Kites is made in two versions, Hindi and English. Both will release on
Produced by Rakesh Roshan and to be released worldwide by Reliance BIG Pictures, Kites is directed by Anurag Basu. It stars Hrithik Roshan and the Mexican star Barbara Mori along with Kangana Ranaut, Kabir Bedi and Nick Brown. Kites has music by Rajesh Roshan, cinematography by Ayananka Bose and stunt coordination by
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On the occasion of Holi, Hrithik Roshan speaks up on his colourful life!
March 3, 2010
On the occasion of Holi, Hrithik Roshan speaks up on his colourful life!
Please share some childhood Holi memories with us?
Well firstly a very Happy & Colourful Holi to all my fans.
Holi was my favourite festival. I would look forward to it for months. On the day I would be up at
My sister Sunaina, would go out armed with ‘pichkaris’ (water pistols) and bad colours. I was afraid of her because she would streak me with oil paint that would take hours to wash off.
We would sit down to a small ‘puja’ (ceremony) at the ‘mandir’ (temple) at home with our parents, then, hit the streets with eight-10 friends. We would go to Holi functions in the neighbourhood.
I remember the bashes at Mr Bachchan’s (Amitabh Bachchan) bumgalow and at Yash (Chopra) uncle’s. You would meet everyone from the film industry and the ‘mohalla’ (locality) there. We would all let our hair down.
Abhishek and Shweta (Bachchan), Adi (Aditya) and Uday (Chopra), practically every Holi we met and celebrated together. It was a time for buddies.
What is the best part of Holi?
‘Gulal’ (powdered colour) is at the core of every Holi revelry. That’s because ‘gulal’ is a way of giving and receiving love. What makes Holi such a beautiful experience is that this is one day when love conquers all.
Do you see a parallel with your next release, Kites?
Sure, I do. In Kites, I start out playing a character whose life is completely colourless. He sees it in monochromes, black and white. And then, this girl explodes into his life and, suddenly, it comes alive with the colours of the rainbow. He lets himself go and love conquers him.
With reference to Kites, what according to you is its biggest USP of the film?
It’s a film I thoroughly enjoyed doing. Anurag (director Anurag Basu) has treated each frame with so much love. People can look forward to a beautiful love story that is unlike any stereotyped ‘prem kahani’ (love story) you’ve seen before. I don’t know if this good or bad, but the audience will get to watch something completely new this time.
What should audience watch out for in Kites, apart from the fact that it features Mexican actress Barbara Mori in the lead opposite you?
What made Kites different for me, as an actor, was that Anurag let the film take shape without exercising too much control. No one came to the sets with any pre-conceived notion.
All of us, Barbara (Mori), Kangana (Ranaut) and me, were allowed plenty of creative liberty under Anurag’s guidance. Many of the scenes were improvised on the spot as opposed to following a pre-planned blueprint. For me it was going from one extreme to the other, having worked in Jodhaa-Akbar earlier where everything was minutely graphed out.
Kites in comparison was an open field where I could run, jump, open my hands wide and act freely. It was a beautiful experience since I had never been directed like this before. And it helped me evolve as an actor.
There has been talk of creative interference on the sets and even during the editing stages when certain ‘too intimate’ scenes were cut out. All these rumours should have made me hopping mad. Sections of the media have been misrepresenting the film.
The film’s director, Anurag Basu, has himself admitted in a recent interview that there were heated disagreements with your father and the film’s producer, Rakesh Roshan.
I have evolved as an actor and understand that our conscious decision to not talk about Kites during its making made some people impatient enough to start their own investigations.
It was sad but it didn’t provoke us into retaliating. Now that the film is complete, we are coming out with all the answers to the questions raised.
Coming back to your basic question, I have lost count of all the arguments my dad and I have had while working on Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Koi... Mil Gayaand Krrish. The point is that when you are working together as a team there will be some differences. When two-three heads meet they are going to bring two-three different points of views to the table.
The way out is to shrug off egos, fight for the better suggestion and the better choice, and work towards making a beautiful film. I’m proud of the way Kites has shaped up.
How much of a role has you father played in the way it has shaped up?
My father never visited the sets of Kites even once though it was his film. He’s one man who can completely let go of his ego in the
interest of a film. I should know. I saw it happen during my debut film, Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai, and later during Koi... Mil
He’s ready to take suggestions not just from the directors and lead actors but also the spotboys. He narrates a working script to my friends. Adi (Aditya Chopra) and Farhan (Akhtar). He shows the rushes of his film to his industry friends. Nobody does that!
You play a con artist in the film. Will we see shades of Dhoom 2?
No, there is no likeness to Dhoom 2. This character is a real person who has his heroic moments. In one scene he is the quintessential hero, in the next he is a normal guy.
This is the first time I am playing a hero who is not a hero in the stereotypical sense of the word. It’s been a fascinating journey.
Barbara Mori plays a salsa teacher…she doesn’t. This is another case of misreporting that has been going on for the last year and a half. So there’s no salsa in the film?
No, there is a dance in the film, though the film is not about dance.
There has been a lot of talk about Barbara and you.
I don’t want to comment on this nonsense.
Do you have any lovely memories of playing Holi with your wife, Sussane?
All my friends would meet at Juhu’s Kalamal Estate. Sussane would come there too with her gang. I used to be with the boys. I must have been about 15 then and a shy guy. I still am one.
I didn’t have the guts to walk up to her and say “Hi”. But I always noticed her. (Laughs) My friends would catch me staring at her and tease me. Once we started seeing each other, we’d go out together during Holi.
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KITES Press Releases:
February 22, 2010
Anurag Basu rubbishes the rumours of Rajkumar Hirani to edit Kites:
Director Anurag Basu has rubbished reports that producer Rakesh Roshan wanted '3 Idiots' helmer Rajkumar Hirani to edit his film 'Kites'.
The reports claimed that Roshan wanted Hirani to take over the editing of the much awaited Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Morri starrer, but was turned down.
"I wish the rumours were true. I really respect Rajkumar Hirani and he is a dear friend too. I would have loved to take his inputs but its too late now, my film was edited, locked, sealed and delivered in November last week. I am sure Raju must be having a hearty laugh over it," Basu added.
Roshan has already roped in Hollywood director Brett Ratner of 'Rush Hour' series and 'X-Men: The Last Stand' fame, to edit the international version of the film.
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