'Kites' TV premiere on June 27

Will the deal make up for its disappointing box office performance?

The world television premiere rights of Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Kites' have been sold to Colors channel within a month of the film's release. It will be telecast in India, US and Britain June 27.

"We endeavour to bring the biggest Bollywood blockbusters to our viewers, right in the comfort of their homes. With 'Kites', we begin a long and potentially fruitful association with Reliance BIG Pictures with whom we have signed a much larger deal and will be showcasing a whole range of popular movies from their library in the days to com"," Gaurav Gandhi, CEO and head (international business), Viacom18, said.

'Kites', which also features Mexican actress Barbara Mori, is produced by Rakesh Roshan and distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures. It released worldwide on May 21 but didn't do well at the box office despite a promising opening.

Colors has previously premiered films like 'Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani' and 'Blue' even before the movies were taken off cinema halls.

How Hrithik stopped traffic in New York

He ran half a mile across the busy 42nd Street to meet his fans at the 'Kites' premiere

Hrithik Roshan proved a real traffic-stopper when he sprinted across 42nd Street in New York to meet his eager fans gathered for the premiere of his much-talked about film 'Kites'.

When Hrithik along with his co-star Barbara Mori, director Anurag Basu, wife Sussanne, parents Rakesh and Pinky Roshan, and other members of the team reached Times Square on May 16, he was told to wave out to hordes of Indian fans who had been standing on the other side of the street since morning for a glimpse of the star.

The star made a dash across the bustling street from the venue of the premiere to eager fans across the road.

"Hrithik did indeed dash across the 42nd Street from our red carpet to waiting fans across the road. And we aren't about crossing just any busy street at peak hour. The 42nd Street is a gigantic universe. Hrithik ran across a good half a mile to get to his fans," Sanjeev Lamba of Reliance Big Pictures told IANS.

Hrithik's considerate gesture towards fans at the premiere created panic for the tense and anxious 'Kites' team.

"We had to halt all traffic on 42nd Street for Hrithik to cross. So we can finally say Hrithik is the first traffic-stopper from Bollywood to make the crossover," said Lamba.

Not just a dash across the busiest street to meet his fans, Hrithik and his dad also made impromptu arrangements for about 500 fans to be accommodated in an extra screen at the AMC Empire theatre.

Rakesh Roshan said: "What could we do? There were 400-500 of Hrithik's fans who wanted to see the film. There were women crying, girls tearing their hair and threatening to commit suicide."

In addition to the 700-seater at the AMC Empire theatre, a smaller 500-seater screener was rented for extra fans at the last minute.

Karan extends his holiday for 'Kites'

He'll be in New York for his buddy Hrithik's international premiere

Karan Johar has extended his holiday in New York to attend the premiere of Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Kites' at Times Square today (May 16).

"It's a big film for the Roshans who are very close to me and Shah Rukh (Khan). The success of 'Kites' is also very important to the film industry. I've a release 'I Hate Luv Storys' coming up in July. And if 'Kites' works, it'd mean favourable things for my films," Karan told IANS over the phone from New York.

The Hindi version of Hrithik and Mexican actress Barbara Mori-starrer 'Kites' will have its worldwide release May 21, while the crisp and short English version, edited by Brett Ratner, will hit the screens May 28. The film is produced by Rakesh Roshan and directed by Anurag Basu. Reliance Big Pictures is distributing the movie.

Karan recently released the shortened version of his film 'My Name Is Khan' in New York, and the edited version of 'Kites' will also be screened there.

"New York is an important venue for Bollywood. Shortened version of 'My Name Is Khan' was released here last week. Now it's a shortened international version of 'Kites'. So we are working towards the same goal of taking Bollywood to the West," said Karan.

Shah Rukh, who can't attend 'Kites' premiere as he's shooting for 'Ra.One', made sure his wife represents them both at this important occasion in the Roshans' life.

Gauri travelled to New York with Hrithik's better half Sussanne and they shopped before the grand premiere of 'Kites'.

"Gauri (Khan) and Sussanne Roshan are here. We're having the time of our lives. I am not thinking about work at all. Just enjoying myself," said Karan.

Incidentally, Karan had gone to New York with the express purpose of writing his next screenplay. But he has drawn a blank.

"At the moment I'm all geared for the 'Kites' premiere. I can't wait to see it," he said.

Hrithik's 'Kites' to fly high across the world

Widest ever release for Bollywood with simultaneous openings in India, US and Canada

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 simultaneously in India, the US, Canada and other countries on May 21.

The Rakesh Roshan production, directed by Anurag Basu, will be released by Reliance BIG Pictures (RBEL) on more than 2,000 screens simultaneously, including over 200 in the US, RBEL announced Thursday.

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 US, 'Kites: The Remix' will be released in association with Mark Urman's Paladin, and will open in several major markets, including New York and Los Angeles, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend beginning May 28.

Produced on an epic scale, and set primarily against the lavish backdrop of Las Vegas, 'Kites' tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who are destined to be together even though each is betrothed to another.

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 21, 'Kites' will play at all traditional Indian film venues around the world, including Reliance's own newly-opened Big Cinema on E. 59th Street in Manhattan, New York.

However, the vast majority of the initial screens will be major-chain, mainstream commercial theatres, as well as specialty cinemas catering to foreign film-going audiences.

“I’m very passionate in love”

Hrithik shares on-screen chemistry secrets, dancing tips, and more...

It’s my first time interviewing Hrithik Roshan, and I expect the star to be, well, star-like. And sure enough, when he enters the lobby of the Grosvenor House where we’re meeting, he’s wearing a star staple – dark sunglasses. But then he does something surprising; he takes the sunnies off (revealing those gorgeous light eyes), says “Hello” with an oh-so-warm smile, and proceeds to speak with so much genuine humility that we’re quite blown away. We asked Hrithik if he’s had any weird experiences with crazy fans, and he looks mildly upset. “There are no weird fan experiences. I see every fan interaction as a huge compliment. The smiles and love that I get from people are what make everything worth it.” So what else makes Hrithik Roshan tick? Read on to find out.

How close is the character you play in ‘Kites’ (of a dance teacher) to you in real-life?

Any creative exercise has to be a reflection of you. It’s how you interpret it. There’s a lot of me in the character I play in ‘Kites’. He’s very passionate in love and so am I.

You’re an amazing dancer. What’s your tip for someone who wants to dance as well as you do?

Just listen to the music and let yourself go. Unless you’re a professional dancer, dancing is not about looking good. It’s about enjoying yourself, about expressing yourself in the moment. The way I see it, there’s no such thing as a non-dancer. I think everyone can dance. You might think you look as foolish as a monkey while dancing, but if you’re enjoying yourself, I’ll be cheering for you.

You and Barbari Mori look great together in the ‘Kites’ promos. What do you think is the secret to great on-screen chemistry?

In ‘Kites’, it’s due to the brief of Anurag Basu (the director of ‘Kites’). He's a sensitive person who's making a very honest film. Also, Barbara comes from a world of spontaneity. She lets her spirit fly. Even Kangana (Ranaut), who’s in the movie, is a mountain girl. She has a sense of abandon and freedom about her. Barbara has a similar approach. I’ve been lucky to have their influence.

Your fans in Dubai were expecting to see you at the Zee Dubai Mega Mela on Thursday (April 1). Why weren't you able to make it on the day?

There was a miscommunication. As far as I knew I was going to be at the Mela on Friday (April 2) and Saturday (April 3). I was at the Mela yesterday and I will be there today.

You’ve had to put on weight and lose it for ‘Guzaarish’, and you’ve also talked about the many injuries you’ve sustained over the years. With all this, do you feel insecure about your body?

Not insecure, but I am aware that it has taken a lot of beating. My body has been really bruised and battered. So I am conscious that I have to be careful. My boys Hrehaan and Hridaan are two and four now. I want to be able to play football with them when they’re 16.

Do your kids watch your movies? Are they aware of what you do?

Hridaan is too young, but Hrehaan is becoming aware that his dad is different from other dads, that he seems more important than other dads. You know he has a Krrish doll that he plays with. I find that weird, my son playing with a doll of me! Sometimes, when I’m injured or tired and lying in bed, he looks at me almost suspiciously, and asks, “You are Krrish Daddy, aren’t you?” (Laughs)

You’ve just made your singing debut in ‘Kites’. In the future, do you see yourself writing and directing like your dad Rakesh Roshan?

No, I don’t. It takes a lot to be a director. I don’t have that kind of talent. You have to be a leader. There are so many things you have to do, from conceiving the project to inspiring it. Being an actor there’s more personal space. But I might change my mind. Never say never!

When will Hrithik’s Kites fly?

Probably the most highly anticipated flick of the year, the release of Hrithik Roshan starrer Kitesis still quite uncertain this year.

The kind of hoopla created around Kites was one of the reasons for it being tagged as the most awaited film of the year. The rumours generated reportedly by the Roshan camp themselves about the Hrithik, Barbara link - up got only more steamy after having a look at the film’s sizzling promos. While some tagged the release date to be on December 11, others pushed it to December 18. News is that it could also be pushed up till December 25 to compete against big daddy Aamir’s next release Three Idiots.

However Papa Roshan had earlier explained to us, “The release date of Kites is still not zeroed upon as we want the film to have a global opening. I want to involve the international market with the film’s release and the technicality of the entire situation is taking its time. As the film is being made in both the Hindi and English language, the dubbing process is still ongoing.” For the time being, Rakesh Roshan is still in Los Angeles, negotiating with Hollywood studios, and his representative here said that the date will be finalised once he reached Indian shores, which could probably be by the end of this month or early next month.

There is a lot of effort being put to bring a happy end to this year with the three big releases, Raju Hirani’s Three Idiots, Kites and Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan respectively. The year 2009 has been a bad one for Bollywood considering the producer-multiplex strike played a major dampener leaving these films dillydallying on a tight rope. These eagerly awaited films are facing stiff competition with the dozens of other films that are already fighting for the Diwali-Chritsmas holidays to cash in on.

Here’s hoping these films get to see the light of day, this year in itself!

No Kites flying for Roshans this year

The buzz is that Rakesh Roshan’s most ambitious and hottest film to date — Kites with Hrithik Roshan and the Mexican livewire Barbara Mori in the lead — will now release on January 15, 2010 instead of December 18, 2009.

A producer close to the Roshans says, “Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Hrithik’s debut vehicle, released on January 14, 2000. It is the film that catapulted him to superstardom. Now the Roshans are seriously contemplating on releasing Kites — Hrithik’s foray into the international market, exactly a decade after KNPH to celebrate the actor’s tenth year as a superstar.

At the moment in Bollywood, Hrithik is the only one with a double whammy to his name, with Dhoom 2 and Krishh occupying a place of pride in the Top 5 all time grossers. Rakesh Roshan told BT, “I will take a decision by September 10 on whether I’m coming in December this year or next January.”

Hrithik gives his uncle Rajesh Roshan tips on Kites soundtrack

Hrithik Roshan is involved in every aspect of his home production Kites from post- production to the music (composed by his uncle, Rajesh Roshan).

Since Kites is being marketed as an international release, the actor wanted the film to have music that would appeal to a global audience.

Kites has a soundtrack that uses various genres like Jjazz, Latin, house, country, lounge to little bit of soft rock and so on. The film will have a worldwide release and so, it needs a soundtrack that is beyond the usual Bollywood fare.

A source reveals, "Hrithik has been listening to various kinds of music, offering some suggestions to his uncle and together, they are experimenting with different kinds of genres of world music. Hrithik trusts Rajesh's instinct with music but is providing his inputs wherever he can. He is making sure he is present at every stage of the music's recording."

Roshan admits, "The movie is going to be in Hindi and English and will be catering to a world audience. It was automatically a requirement for the movie to have English and a different kind of music. Duggu, Rakesh, Anurag (Basu, the film's director) and I sat down as a team and worked on the songs. Hrithik had a collection of various genres, which he used to listen to and give suggestions. Rakesh has given musical hits and so has Anurag. Each one of them came from a musical family and gave their input."

He continues, "I made a mixture of various kinds of music into each song. Being a romantic movie, we have more of soft, romantic numbers. Hrithik has sung the title track with a Spanish singer and he worked day in day out to perfect it. He has worked really hard for the song and has delivered the best. There is an uptempo number to which Hrithik has danced and he has put a lot of effort into it. He wanted this track to be something unheard of before," says Roshan.

Kites will fly in december

Hrithik Roshan's much-awaited flick will release worldwide on December 18

After much hoopla and indecision, it's finally official. Anurag Basu's Kites will release on December 18. And no, the film was not delayed due to editing issues.

Rather, it was waiting for international buyers. Says a source, "Now that there's a slump in the international market, Kites won't wait for international buyers any longer.

The producers will give the film on a commission basis to international distributors."

The decision to release Kites on December 18 was taken after watching the film's final cut. Post-editing, the film is apparently an erotic feast.

The love scenes between Hrithik and Mori are sizzling and the producers have nothing to worry about.

Rakesh Roshan admits they're looking at December 18 as the worldwide release date for Kites.

"But there are details that still need to be worked out and I'd rather not talk about it until everything is in place," he said. Adds Anurag, "Yes, we are looking at the date. I've left the final decision to Roshanji and Eros."
Song Chopped

Meanwhile, according to sources, Rakesh and Anurag had a difference of opinion over retaining a Barbara-Hrithik song.

Rakesh, weaned on commercial cinema, thought it was an USP, while Anurag thought it hampered the film's flow.

The song now goes off. However, Anurag insisted, "As for the songs, they all carry the story forward. If we remove one, I'll have to re-edit the film for continuity."

Farah Khan’s song cut from ‘Kites’

Choreographer hasn’t been informed by Roshans

Post the birth of her triplets, Farah Khan rarely choreographs a song. Lack of time is one of the main reasons, though she does make an exception for friends.

She choreographed songs in “Billu” and “Dostana”, exceptions she made for close friends Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar, who produced the two films respectively. The only other song she has choreographed recently is for the Hrithik Roshan starrer “Kites”, produced by Rakesh Roshan.

The sensuous song, which is a salsa number, took two and a half days to complete.

However, according to reports, the song has been chopped from the film. And, what’s hurting Farah the most is that no one has bothered to inform her about this.

Apparently, “Kites” was running too long and needed a cut. The first victim of the cut was the song choreographed on Hrithik and Barbara Mori by Farah. However, the Roshans have yet not told Farah about her song being deleted from the film though two weeks have passed since the decision was taken.

Kites - Movie Wallpapers

Hrithik’s 'Kites' to release in December

The much-talked about Hrithik Roshan starrer "Kites" is scheduled for December release and producer Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu have also agreed on how different the English and Hindi versions of the film would be.

The supposed steamy scenes between Hrithik and his co-star Barbara Mori would be the same in both versions.

"We can't cheat Hindi audiences. The so-called steamy scenes will be the same in both versions. The visuals will remain unchanged in both. There won't be anything radically different in the two versions because Hrithik and Barbara speak English-Hindi and Spanish, respectively in both English and Hindi," Basu told IANS.

Also there would be voice-overs in Hindi and English, both done by Hrithik whose love story the film chronicles in a style that would recall David Lean's "Brief Encounter" and K. Balachander's "Ek Duuje Ke Liye".

About being designated the director of the decade at International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Macau, Rakesh Roshan said: "I'm flattered. There were other truly deserving directors in the reckoning. I must've done something right."

Kites - Wallpapers & Posters

Kangana Ranaut: I missed Cannes but I don’t feel left out

Versatile actress and style diva Kangana Ranaut talks about the changes in her life, and rubbishes rumours of an affair between her beau Adhyayan Suman and his co-star Shahana Goswami. She also has no problems about not being part of the Kites promotion at the Cannes Film Festival.

Kangana has been in the industry for three years now. She has established herself as a serious actress and style icon. So, how has she changed during this time? “When I started four years ago, I was a teenager and now I am 22. When I will be 40, I will be different. I think we grow or mature and change every year, which according to me is a very good thing. A person’s view or perception of life changes with experience which has an impact on his/her relationships. I feel that I have changed a lot. I started as a teenager and now I feel that I have become a woman now. When I will be 25 or 26, then I would have learnt more from life. I didn’t even know how to talk when I started but I have learnt that now. When you start working at a young age, then you need to learn and grow up very fast,” adding, “Everything is changing all the time and we should accept it without fighting it. There are changes in nature and similarly there are changes in our personalities, careers and lives, which we must graciously accept and move forward in life.”

She has been dating her current beau Adhyayan Suman for over a year now. Recently there were rumours of his link up with Jashnn co-star Shahana Goswami. Kangana is a really cool and secure girlfriend. When asked about her take on the Adhyayan Suman-Shahana Goswami link up, she laughed it off saying, “I think you should ask Shahana and Adhyayan. I don’t think there is anything going on between them.”

Kangana didn’t promote Kites at the Cannes Film Festival and neither is she seen in the promos of the film. So, does she feel left out as all the attention is focused on Barbara Mori and her chemistry with Hrithik Roshan?

“I don’t feel left out though I missed going to the Cannes Film Festival,” she laughs, adding on a more serious note, “I was hired to do my job, which is acting and I have done that. I don’t care about the publicity. The rest of it is their strategy to promote the movie and they know what is best for the film.”

About dancing with Hrithik, she says, “I had a great time shooting for the film. Hrithik is an amazing dancer as everyone knows and it was great to dance with him.”

Exclusive 'Kites' First Look - Video

Hrithik, Barbara can give you Goosebumps!

The newest hot pair of the town Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori has been painting the town red and charming all with their aura. And the latest to get all awed by their presence was a ‘bechaara’ Bartender at the recently held bash at Vijay Mallya’s villa Le Grand Jardin on Sainte-Marguerite. Mallya invited 300 guests, which included Bollywood stars, political dignitaries from the Indian and French Government.

To add the fun element to his party, Mallya called his bartender who has a unique specialty of opening a Champagne bottle using a ‘Talwar’ (sword). Interestingly, the guy who’s an expert in this art got nervous and couldn’t perform properly in front of the ‘Kites’ couple Hrithik and Barbara who were excited to see his art.

“The bartender was completely disheartened as he couldn’t perform in front of Hrithik and Barbara but the actor told that Bartender to take his own time and also made him feel comfortable. Interestingly after a few minutes, the same Bartender returned and opened a champagne bottle with the sword,” said a source.

It seems Hrithik knows the art of making others comfortable quite well.

"J" is what Hrithik's character in Kites is called

Hrithik Roshan is going grey for Kites. We are talking about his dark character, not the colour of his hair. In an interview to a trade magazine in Cannes, the actor said about his character, "Five years ago as a Bollywood star you had to be a super hero, the best fighter, dancer and lover, and all of this was attributed to your personal image. Now this is being looked at as being untrue. Now you can be a human being and it is accepted that there are grey areas in human personality."

Roshan Jr plays a character called J (yup, just the initial) who is a streetsmart, carefree young guy but who is now on the wanted list. In the harshy terrains of the Mexican desert, he is left to die in the heat of the desert sun. The only thing that keeps him alive is the quest to find the love of his life Natasha (Barbara Mori). She is a woman engaged to another man, but destined for J. She is described as a woman who comes into his life like a bolt of lightning and changes it forever.

Hrithik had admitted during media interactions at the Cannes film festival that Kites which is in English, Hindi and Spanish isn't the typical B-Town film's leading man part. He attributes the change of mindset to the influence of filmmaking from the west. Both the actor and the director Anurag Basu admitted to struggling with getting the film right for an Indian as well as an international audience.

Hrithik also admitted that the fact that Slumdog Millionaire being a success internationally and not in India worried them and had the industry thinking hard about bridging the gap "It shows that it is still a journey for us to learn how to satisfy both an Indian and global audience."

Hrithik also confessed that he was stumped about how to play the role," I did try and go on that journey of acting with an western audience in mind but ultimately I had to throw that out and give an honest performance. I am very loyal to my country and culture and prefer to present the best of that to the world."

Kangana Ranaut missing from Kites publicity stills

Finally, Hrithik and Kangana together!

We have heard enough about Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori together. Now, for a change it’s going to be Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik.

On Kangana’s insistence or otherwise, at the IIFA awards in June, Hrithik and Kangana, co-stars of “Kites”, will be waking the red carpet along with producer Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu.

It seems Kangana was very upset at not been invited to Cannes, where Hrithik, Barbara and Rakesh Roshan walked the red carpet and attended a promotional event for “Kites”.

Till now Kangana, who is said to have a pivotal role in the movie, has been missing from all publicity of “Kites”.

To pacify her, the Roshans are keepting Barbara at a distance and taking Kangana to Macau, where the IIFA awards are being held.

Wonder what has been told to Barbara now, to pacify her?

Kissing Hrithik in Kites was no big deal for Barbara Mori

Barbara has done some really steamy scenes in a Mexican flick La Mujer De Mi Hermano

Having a steamy liplock with co-star Hrithik Roshan in Kites may not be a big deal for Barbara Mori after all.

It appears the Mexican actress has done more than just a kissing scene, even going semi-nude in Mexican flick La Mujer De Mi Hermano (My Brother's Wife).
In the flick, Mori plays a woman who has been married for over a decade. Seeing that her marital life is going downhill, she hooks up with her husband's brother. Mori puts on a 'skin'tillating show in the film. Check it out for yourself.

What the film is about
La Mujer De Mi Hermano (My Brother's Wife) is about Zoe (Mori), an attractive woman who has been married for 10 years to Ignacio.

After realising that her marriage lacks passion and surprise, she begins to find these sensations with her husband's brother Gonzalo.

However the servant sees them making out in the kitchen.

Though the servant doesn't say anything, Zoe is nervous that she will.

Meanwhile Zoe's husband Ignacio realises that he doesn't love Zoe anymore and in fact is now gay.

But Zoe gets pregnant and there are several dark family secrets that have to tumble out.

Barbara Mori didn't know English before she began shooting for Kites

Did anyone in India know who Barbara Mori was until the Roshans brought her over for Kites? And now after Cannes, Barbara is being recognized on an international podium.

It's not just fame that Kites has brought Ms Mori. She also knew no English before she started shooting for Kites. But by the time the shooting concluded she could grope around the English language, thanks to Hrithik Roshan.

Apparently, Barbara and Hrithik made a pact. Hrithik would teach Barbara English and Barbara would teach him Spanish.

"I don't know how much of the promised linguistic exchange worked. But Hrithik knows enough Spanish to understand Mori better than his character in Kites who can't follow a word of what she says in the film," says a crew member.

As for Barbara's angrezi, she has picked up enough to conduct herself coherently with the media in Cannes. Although, apparently, she would often turn to Hrithik to get the right word.

Says Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan, "Barbara knew only Spanish when she started shooting for Kites. That suited us fine since her character is supposed to understand only Spanish. During shooting she needed to communicate with her co-stars and the crew. She was forced to learn English. Now she speaks just enough to make herself understood."

The film's shooting is over. But the editing remains. Rakesh Roshan is hoping for an October release.

"All the prospective buyers and media persons loved the trailer we took to Cannes. This was my first official visit to Cannes though I've been to this city for holidays," says Rakesh Roshan.