The biggest ever release for any Indian Bollywood production

In what is being touted as the biggest ever release for any Indian Bollywood production, `Kites` starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori will be screened in 200 theaters across the US and Canada.

The romantic drama which has been shot on location in Las Vegas, Sante Fe and Los Angeles, will open simultaneously in India, the US, Canada and other countries on May 21.

`Kites` is also the first Bollywood film to get a remix version made by a Hollywood director, none other than Brett Ratner of `Rush Hour` and `X-Men 3` fame.

The remixed version, which will be 90 minutes long with more action scenes, will open one week later on May 28.

The Rakesh Roshan production, directed by Anurag Basu will open in several major markets, including New York and Los Angeles, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend beginning May 28.

Hrithik Roshan gave three DVDs of his films to Barbara Mori

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 DVD.

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 ofcourse 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.

Anurag Basu to describe the passion between Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mo

Filmmaker Anurag Basu says the title of his upcoming movie `Kites` is a metaphor to describe the passion between the film`s lead pair Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori.

"Kites is the metaphor of the film. Kites fly against the wind and not with it, stronger the wind blows, higher the kites fly," said Basu, the director of the film.

"Our protagonists in the movie too face obstacles, their love grows deeper with every increasing obstacle," he said.

Meanwhile, films`s producer Rakesh Roshan said that he coined the title while gazing at two kites flying in the sky which looked "too intriguing and romantic".

“The idea for `Kites` came to me when I was gazing at the sky and saw two kites flying. 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," Rakesh said.

Speaking about the film which is releasing this summer, Anurag said `Kites` goes beyond 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," Basu said.

`Kites` has been made in two versions, Hindi and English. Both will release on May 21 across over 60 countries.

The film also stars Kangana Ranaut, Kabir Bedi and Nick Brown. The stunt coordination has been done by Hollywood`s Spiro Razatos. The English version of `Kites` is presented and reworked by the well known Hollywood -director Brett Ratner.

Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away after a cardiac arrest

Actor Nirmal Pandey, known for his work in theatre, films and television, passed away after a cardiac arrest.

Best remembered for his work in films like Bandit Queen and ’God Mother’ and ’Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin’, Pandey reportedly died while on his way to a hospital in Andheri around half past 2pm on Thursday.

According to family sources, he was not keeping well for some time.

He was 46 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Pandey carved a niche for himself playing negative characters on the big screen as well as on television, and his last project was the Telugu film ’Kedi’, where he again played a villain.

A graduate from the National School of Drama, Nirmal Pandey was also seen in films like ‘Daayraa’, ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya’, ‘Shikari’ and ‘Train to Pakistan’.

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