Good winds for Kites

April 14, 2010 05:28 pm | Updated April 16, 2010 03:25 pm IST

SERIOUS BUSINESS Rakesh Roshan says he doesn't feel hurt if Hrithik's films fail to meet the expectations Photo: Shaju John

SERIOUS BUSINESS Rakesh Roshan says he doesn't feel hurt if Hrithik's films fail to meet the expectations Photo: Shaju John

Come May, and the movie lovers may set their eyes on Kites, actor-producer-director Rakesh Roshan's fourth film, and a father's ardent attempt to elevate son Hrithik Roshan's dwindling career. Though several Indian and a few international awards came for Jodhaa Akbar , and his appeal in Dhoom 2 still has people raving about him, they didn't seem to transform into great roles for Hrithik.

Though earlier, Rakesh had taken the responsibility of directing his son under his Filmkraft Productions and the results were instant hits like Kaho Na…Pyar Hai, Koi…Mil Gaya and Krrissh . But, this time, he has invested faith in young director Anurag Basu to take Kites to newer heights. Basu has proved his worth with Murder, Gangster and Life in a Metro. Accepts Rakesh, “It's his baby. I took a backseat and enjoyed the making of it.”

A high budgeted film with over 30 millions at stake, the film intends to pull European audiences and is going to be released in over 60 countries with its female lead Barbara Mori, a Mexican model and actress, hoping to be a major draw.

But Rakesh interprets it differently, “More than a foreign actor, it the story and the direction that would pull the audiences. It's a love story with realistic characters.” And to make the film realistic he has kept melodrama at bay. “It's a straightforward film, and my hero and heroine, being persons from not a different world, have dark shades like all of us have. My hero is bad at places and so is my heroine. They behave dishonestly if the need arises, but their love for each other remains unflinching. It crosses the boundary of language, culture and country. And just like kites that fly higher when the wind is against them, they turn stronger in the face of opposition.”

Another draw in the film, Rakesh says, is its “believable” action sequences by the action director of Vantage Point . “There are no fist fights in the film, but shots of fire and car chase will give the audiences a heightened experience.” Add to it the scenic splendours of Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Mexico.

Rakesh's unflinching loyalty to the letter ‘K' continues with Kites . Laughs the maker of over 14 films, “Yes, if ‘K' helps me numerologically, why not?” But Krazzy 4 didn't work despite that. He quips, “It is not foolproof. That was a low budget film. It's very difficult to analyse the reason for a film's failure. With so much of exposure, the audiences' taste is constantly changing. We take the masses for granted but they are smarter than any filmmaker.” Rakesh, however, Kites adds in the same breath, “I can only make a good film, I can't make a hit film. Nothing is bigger than the script. No actor or director can make a good film if the story and the script are weak.”

There is a general perception among the people that Rakesh knows how to use Hrithik to his best potential. Quips the father, “This perception is of the people and not the film fraternity. Otherwise, he wouldn't get films from other filmmakers. But it doesn't hurt me if his films from other filmmakers don't work. As for me and Hrithik working together is concerned, we take our films very seriously. We invest three-four years on research and other nitty-gritties. On the sets, we turn professionals, no nonsense and family bonding is not allowed to creep in.”

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