Hrithik's kite is flying high

The film industry is abuzz with the news that the film Kites has been bought by Reliance Big Pictures for almost Rs 150 crore. And this in the times of recession. The film Kites is produced by Rakesh Roshan, directed by Anurag Basu and stars Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranaut and Barbara Mori.

Our industry source says, “Every major corporate house in the industry was looking to get the rights of Kites. The deal has been closed at over Rs 150 crore. The deal includes worldwide rights, along with overseas, music, satellite and video rights of Kites Movie. However the deal is only for a certain period with a minimum guarantee amount. This amount is over Rs 150 crore.”

The amount is so big that now Reliance will hold all the rights. Trade experts affirm that only that can make it a feasible option, although the risk of such a huge price cannot be ruled out. Some of the recent big deals have been struck for Singh Is Kinng (around Rs 70 crore) and Om Shanti Om (around Rs 60 crore). Kites surpasses both by a long shot.

When contacted, Rakesh Roshan said, “I cannot comment on the amount. The deal is of a completely new structure, not tried out here before, and the amount can even go up to Rs 200 crore. The fact is that the deal has been divided into two structures all over and the film has been made in two versions — one for the Indian market, the other for the overseas market.”

Roshan revealed his strategy, and said, “I was playing the waiting game, for I wanted to see who would take the initiative. I think the vision of Big Pictures matches my vision — about the film’s international appeal.”

Roshan gave the credit for the deal to Hrithik, and his banner Filmkraft. He said, “This time our film(Kites) has an appeal not only for Indian viewers and NRIs, but also for an international audience.”

Speaking about the two versions of Kites, he said, “English is the most common language all over the world. The Indian version has more Hindi dialogues, while the overseas one has more of English. However, essentially it is a Hindi language film.”

Rajesh Sawhney, official spokesperson, Reliance Big Pictures, says, “We (Filmkraft and Reliance Big Pictures) will mutually arrive at a figure closer to the release date. I think it is a great script and a great cast with international potential. That’s why we have struck this deal.”

When asked if the huge price is justified, trade analyst Amod Mehra said, “If Ghajini can make more than Rs 100 crore, why not Kites?

The film is scheduled for a Diwali release.

Hrithik Roshan got injured while shooting for kites

Hrithik Roshan

injured himself once again on the set of Kites at Filmistan Studio in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 27; this time hurting his arm.

The actor had earlier hurt his knees while doing a dangerous car stunt for the same film on location in LA.

"Hrithik hurt his arm while doing a stunt shot for Kites at the Filmistan studio. He was breaking a glass with a rod and one piece of glass flew and hurt him. It's a minor injury - there's nothing major," acc. to a source close to Hrithik.

Helmed by Anurag Basu and produced by Filmkraft, Kites headlines Hrithik Roshan, Latino actress Babra Mori and Kangana Ranaut

The film has been shot in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the US. It is currently being wrapped up in Mumbai.

Hrithik plays a Vegas based flamboyant dance instructor while Barbara Mori plays a salsa dancer. Hrithik romances both Barbara and Kangana, his dance student.

Hrithik Roshan parties hard on birthday

The party at Hrithik Roshan’s Juhu home began on Friday night and continued till the wee hours of the next morning.

It was a three-in-one birthday bash for Hrithik,farah khan  and Farhan Akhtar as the trio cut the cake together at the party attended by their close friends. Farah and Farhan’s b’day was on Jan 9 and Hrithik’s was on Jan 10. So they had a joint celebration on Friday night along with stars like Shillpa Shetty , Mallika Sherawat , Jeetendra and Rishi kapoor , among others.

Babra Mori , who is presently in Mumbai to shoot a song for Kites with Hrithik, was also present with her sister.

For this one evening, Hrithik too decided to let social decorum take a hike and played loud music well past midnight. The blaring music apparently disturbed a few neighbours and one of them rang up the cops. The cops came and told the party revelers to call it a night.

But reports say there was only a brief lull in the party after the police visit. Soon, the music was blaring again and continued so till the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Hrithik and Barbara were to shoot on Saturday morning, but papa Rakesh Roshan  , the producer of ‘Kites’, postponed the shoot till afternoon that day.

Though Hrithik got a couple of good gifts, the best, he says, was from his three-year-old son Hrehaan who gave him a greeting card.

Farah Khan choreographs Hrithik & Barbara in Kites

After choreographing exclusively post-OSO for SRK, Khan adds Hrithik to the list

Farah Khan will be working on her birthday (January 9) and making Hrithik Roshan dance too on his (January 10).

After Om Shanti Om, the fiery Farah had decided to stick to direction and give up choreography for good. Exceptions were only to be made for friends like SRK and Karan Johar.

Fondness calls

But the queen of Bollywood jhatkas will make Hrithik groove for his home production, Kites being directed by Anurag Basu.

A source from the film industry reveals, “When Hrithik approached her she couldn’t refuse. Farah’s very fond of him, as she had choreographed all his songs in his debut film, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.

Also, she shares a good association with his dad, which is why she did not even discuss money before saying yes. After Hrithik spoke to Farah, Papa Roshan also called her and requested her to do the song.”

The choreographer and Roshan Jr last came together for Dil Na Diya song in Krissh.

Part of narrative

The song composed by Rajesh Roshan will be filmed on Hrithik and Barbara. It is a soft sensuously romantic song, and is part of the narrative. The song is played in the background, so there is no lip sync involved.

Though Anurag Basu, the director of Kites, has choreographed a couple of songs in Kites, this time it was Hrithik, his dad’s and Anutag’s unanimous decision that Farah direct the song as it requires stylised choreography.”

Rakesh Roshan confirms, “Yes, she is choreographing a song in Kites. She has always choreographed at least one song in all of Duggu’s films for our productions.” He adds that she has agreed to choreograph this song as, “We have a special relationship. Farah and we share a warm bond and have mutual respect for each other.”

Michael Jackson visits Hrithik during Kites LA shoot

Looks like Bollywood’s light-eyed hunk, Hrithik Roshan has some Hollywood bigwig fan following. The actor was recently visited by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson himself. Now, that’s some pleasant surprise for someone who’s a big time Jacko fan.

Grapevine has it that Hrithik couldn’t believe his eyes when the ‘Pop King’ walked into his caravan in Los Angeles, where he was stationed for the shooting of ‘Kites’, being directed by Anurag Basu.

Hrithik, who was busy decking up for the next shot stood aghast when Jacko walked in his royal style. A source close to the actor revealed, “Hrithik was in his make-up room when Michael’s two bodyguards entered. He was taken aback to see these burly men enter the room. On questioning them, he learnt that they were Michael’s body guards.”

Hrithik who is often seen following the jazzy Jacko moves for most of his dance sequences was shocked on learning the visitors name.

“Michael introduced himself to Hrithik. It was a funny scene to see someone like him, who the whole world knows introducing himself. The two spoke for a short time and then Michael left”, adds the source.

It is believed that the singer had come to do a recce, as he was to shoot in the same bungalow the following day.

Dance Competition between Hrithik and Kangana in Kites

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Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut have been rehearsing for a song for Kites for almost a week at the YRF Studios.

The song, which is a dance competition between Hrithik and Kangana, requires a heavy duty performance from the duo. Rakesh Roshan has specially flown in choreographer, Flexi from the US to train the duo for the high energy number, which has salsa and hip hop.

A source close to the production house said, “Kangana is a great dancer but given Hrithik’s flare for dancing, the grace and perfection with which he performs is unmatched.

Each time Kangana watches Hrithik perform, she is left completely awestruck by her co-star, so much so that in the bargain, she forgets her steps.”

Kangana confirmed the news and said, “Hrithik is a flawless dancer. No matter how difficult the steps are, the intensity and precision with which he performs is unbelievable. I am so amazed by his dancing skills that often I am too stunned to get on with my own steps.”