I saw this film first day first show, and it was the only show they screened for this weekend coz of some altercations between the distributors and Karnataka commitee. I was incredibly excited to see it, as were many of you. If you were expecting a miracle on screen like me, be happy with a brawny, super sexy Hrithik Roshan instead. Director Anurag Basu didn't really need to share credit for the screenplay - the film has none. The story in a gist - the boy runs after anything that glitters, even if it's marrying immigrant women to help them get their green card and charging a fee for it. The same boy meets rich, spoilt girl and her even richer family and falls in love with the girl's brother's fiancée (!!!) and they elope. That's the story of the forbidden love between Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori.
This was Bollywood's ticket to make Hollywood look up and notice our industry, but it falters big time. Accepted that Hrithik Roshan looks like a demi-god (that will only get him noticed there), but somehow, that doesn't make up for the shortcomings in the rest of the film. Even the most closely cropped closeups, those rippling muscles, the dreamy green twinkle in his eyes and the sole dance number with his fluid movements won't help this fail soar sky high. Barbara looks beautiful when she smiles and undoubtedly, her chemistry with Hrithik proves that language is no barrier. There's very little she does except look beautifully confused or innocently distressed.
The film falters for more reasons than one - the villains are awful. An under-utilised Kabir Bedi and an avenging brother, Nick Brown, are just not evil enough. A word of mention here about the girl Hrithik thought was his golden goose - Kangana Ranaut. In a guest appearance, she, once again proves to be the best actress Bollywood could opt for the role. While the first half of the film drags through, the second half is a cinematographer's delight - moving all over the stunning Mexican landscapes. Strangely, the action packed second half doesn't have much action to boast of - save the chase scene on the Mexican highway. In fact, it's tragic that too many of these scenes bear stark resemblances to the Wild West films or even, some dark Bollywood counterparts. It's upsetting that with all the effort, money and hype behind Kites, the film ends up being an ambitious love story stretched way too far. Just like all the Roshan films, this one too is only for Hrithik. All other characters have been painstakingly paled down to let him rise and shine. Still, good for an one time watch. Enjoy.
6/10
This was Bollywood's ticket to make Hollywood look up and notice our industry, but it falters big time. Accepted that Hrithik Roshan looks like a demi-god (that will only get him noticed there), but somehow, that doesn't make up for the shortcomings in the rest of the film. Even the most closely cropped closeups, those rippling muscles, the dreamy green twinkle in his eyes and the sole dance number with his fluid movements won't help this fail soar sky high. Barbara looks beautiful when she smiles and undoubtedly, her chemistry with Hrithik proves that language is no barrier. There's very little she does except look beautifully confused or innocently distressed.
The film falters for more reasons than one - the villains are awful. An under-utilised Kabir Bedi and an avenging brother, Nick Brown, are just not evil enough. A word of mention here about the girl Hrithik thought was his golden goose - Kangana Ranaut. In a guest appearance, she, once again proves to be the best actress Bollywood could opt for the role. While the first half of the film drags through, the second half is a cinematographer's delight - moving all over the stunning Mexican landscapes. Strangely, the action packed second half doesn't have much action to boast of - save the chase scene on the Mexican highway. In fact, it's tragic that too many of these scenes bear stark resemblances to the Wild West films or even, some dark Bollywood counterparts. It's upsetting that with all the effort, money and hype behind Kites, the film ends up being an ambitious love story stretched way too far. Just like all the Roshan films, this one too is only for Hrithik. All other characters have been painstakingly paled down to let him rise and shine. Still, good for an one time watch. Enjoy.
6/10